Mike Van Kempen is the COO of UNest, a California-based fintech startup that provides tax-advantaged investment accounts and savings apps for kids. Mike has played a crucial role in multiple rounds of fundraising at various startups with top VCs (a16z, NEA, DAG, TPG, Greycroft & e.ventures). Before joining the UNest team, Mike was the Director of Growth at investment startup Acorns. Mike sits down with Chris Snyder to discuss how UNest is helping parents make smart investments for their kids.

• Mike shares about his upbringing in Chicago, his early entrepreneurial endeavors, and how he started a ticket scalping side hustle as a teenager
• Mike talks about the moment he knew that he belonged in startup life as opposed to a comfortable 9-5 role
• Mike shares insight into his experience at Chicago startup Belly and how they navigated the fundraising process
• Mike discusses how he went from beta user to Director of Growth at fintech startup Acorns
• Mike speaks to the unique challenges of investing as a parent and the programs that have the best tax benefits for college savings
• Mike shares interesting survey results about top priorities for parents when it comes to investing for their children's futures
• Mike addresses how investing for a one-year-old can vary greatly from investing for a seventeen-year-old
• Mike dives into some unique features of the UNest platform, including the gift feature that allows friends and family to deposit directly into an investment account
• Mike and Chris discuss trends to keep an eye out in the personal finance industry, specifically when it comes to investing for children

• Chris Snyder LinkedIn
• Banks.com
• Mike Van Kempen LinkedIn
• Unest