On January 23, 2026, Pedro Franceschi, the co-founder and CEO of Brex, made headlines following the landmark announcement of one of the largest fintech exits in history.
As of this date, his primary achievements and milestones include:
1. Executed a $5.15 Billion Acquisition by Capital One
Franceschi successfully navigated a definitive agreement for Capital One to acquire Brex for $5.15 billion in a mix of cash and stock.
The Scale: He described the transaction as the "largest bank-fintech deal in history," marking a massive consolidation between traditional banking and modern fintech.
Strategic Exit: The deal represents a significant liquidity event, valuing the company at roughly 7.5x sales, a premium over the high-growth payment average for 2026.
2. Retention of Leadership and "Founder Mode"
A key component of the deal is Franceschi's continued influence over the platform:
Continued CEO Role: Pedro will remain the CEO of Brex, which will operate as a distinct entity within Capital One to maintain its agile culture.
Direct Reporting: He will report to Capital One’s Chief Enterprise Services Officer, Frank LaPrade, with a specific mandate to "maximize founder mode" and leverage the bank’s $900 billion annual card volume.
3. Global Market Expansion & AI Leadership
Under his leadership, Brex reached several operational peaks as of early 2026:
International Footprint: The company now serves over 35,000 companies across 50 countries, including major enterprises like TikTok, DoorDash, and Intel.
AI-Native Infrastructure: Franceschi successfully pivoted the company into an AI-native platform, utilizing AI agents to automate complex workflows and spend management, a primary driver for Capital One's interest.
Regulatory Milestones: Secured an EU Payment Institution license, allowing the company to issue commercial credit cards and originate payments across the European Union.
