Nubank vs Volkswagen: Founders, CEOs and History
Nubank was founded in 2013 by David Vélez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, Edward Wible and is led by David Vélez. Volkswagen was founded in 1937 by Ferdinand Porsche and is led by Oliver Blume.
Company facts
Nubank
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Current CEO
- David Vélez
- Employees
- 10,027
Volkswagen
- Founded
- 1937
- Headquarters
- Wolfsburg, Germany
- Current CEO
- Oliver Blume
- Employees
- 663,000
Founders
Nubank
David Vélez Osorno
David Vélez was born in Medellín, Colombia, studied engineering and earned an MBA at Stanford, and worked at Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, General Atlantic and Sequoia Capital before founding Nubank in 2013.
Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira
Cristina Junqueira co-founded Nubank in 2013 and helped design its early credit card and customer-service model. After the 2021 IPO she became one of Brazil's few self-made female billionaires.
Edward Wible
Edward Wible co-founded Nubank in 2013 and served as its first CTO, choosing a cloud-based stack built largely in the Clojure language and the Datomic database. That architecture let Nubank add products and markets without a legacy core banking system.
Volkswagen
Ferdinand Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) was an Austrian-born automotive engineer who had worked for Lohner, Austro-Daimler and Daimler-Benz before opening his own design office in Stuttgart in 1931.
CEOs and their tenures
Nubank
- David Vélez Osorno2013–present
Founder, Chairman, and CEO
Vélez founded Nubank in 2013, raised capital from Sequoia and Kaszek, took the company public on the NYSE in December 2021 and led it to its first annual profit in 2023 and a $1 billion quarterly profit in Q2 2026.
Source - Cristina Junqueira2013–present
Co-Founder; CEO, Nu US
Co-founded Nubank in 2013 and shaped its early card product and customer-service culture, then took charge of the US expansion.
Source
Volkswagen
- Hermann Münch1946–1947
Chief Executive Officer
Early executive involved in the incredibly complex immediate post-war administration of the completely destroyed factory under British military control.
Source - Heinrich Nordhoff1948–1968
Chief Executive Officer
The absolute legendary post-war architect who took the ruins of the VW factory and transformed the Beetle into a massive, globally beloved cultural icon and economic miracle.
Source - Kurt Lotz1968–1971
Chief Executive Officer
Early post-war leader who began the critical process of diversifying VW's lineup beyond relying entirely on a single model (the Beetle).
Source - Rudolf Leiding1971–1975
Chief Executive Officer
Crucial CEO who managed the extremely difficult, highly risky transition away from the iconic but severely outdated Beetle toward modern, front-wheel-drive water-cooled cars (like the Golf).
Source - Toni Schmücker1975–1982
Chief Executive Officer
Guided the company through the severe financial crises of the 1970s, ensuring the successful launch and massive adoption of the original VW Golf.
Source - Carl Hahn1982–1993
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO in the 1980s, he executed the massive, highly strategic acquisitions of SEAT and Skoda, laying the foundation for VW's absolute dominance in Europe.
Source - Ferdinand Piëch1993–2002
Chief Executive Officer
As the legendary, absolutely ruthless patriarch (and grandson of Ferdinand Porsche), he transformed VW from a struggling mass-market brand into the most powerful automotive conglomerate on Earth.
Source - Bernd Pischetsrieder2002–2006
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2002 to 2006, he oversaw the incredibly complex integration of massive luxury brands like Bugatti and Bentley into the VW Group portfolio.
Source - Martin Winterkorn2007–2015
Chief Executive Officer
As the notoriously demanding, absolutely feared CEO, he oversaw massive global expansion but fostered a culture of absolute terror that led engineers to cheat rather than admit failure.
Source - Matthias Müller2015–2018
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO during the darkest period in modern VW history, he initiated the massive cultural purge of the toxic, highly secretive engineering culture that caused the cheating scandal.
Source - Herbert Diess2018–2022
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO, he forcefully dragged the massive, highly bureaucratic legacy automaker into the Tesla era, though his abrasive style alienated the powerful Porsche-Piëch families.
Source - Oliver Blume2022–present
Chairman of the Board of Management
He also ran Porsche AG alongside the group role until Michael Leiters took over as Porsche CEO on January 1, 2026, leaving Blume focused on Volkswagen Group.
Source
Timeline: Nubank and Volkswagen side by side
1937Volkswagen
Volkswagen founded
Volkswagen was founded under the German Labour Front as part of a state-directed people's car program.
1945Volkswagen
Wolfsburg restarted
British military administration helped restart peacetime production at Wolfsburg after World War II.
1965Volkswagen
Audi foundation added
Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from Daimler-Benz, creating the foundation for modern Audi.
1974Volkswagen
Golf production begins
The Golf gave Volkswagen a modern front-engine, front-wheel-drive compact platform after the Beetle era.
2012Volkswagen
Porsche consolidated
Porsche became a controlled sport-luxury profit anchor within Volkswagen Group.
2013Nubank
Nubank founded in So Paulo
David Vélez, Cristina Junqueira, and Edward Wible founded Nubank in a suburban house in So Paulo, Brazil, with the mission to fight complexity and democratize financial services in Latin America.
2014Nubank
Launch of the purple credit card
Nubank launched its first product a no-annual-fee credit card managed entirely through a smartphone app on April 1, 2014.
2015Volkswagen
Matthias Müller becomes CEO
Matthias Müller became CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft in 2015. Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2015 to 2018.
2015Volkswagen
Emissions Scandal
US regulators accused Volkswagen in September 2015 of fitting diesel cars with software that cheated emissions tests.
2017Nubank
Launch of digital account (NuConta)
Nubank launched its digital account product, allowing customers to receive salaries, make transfers, and pay bills without fees.
2018Volkswagen
Herbert Diess becomes CEO
Herbert Diess became CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft in 2018. Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2018 to 2022.
2019Nubank
Expansion to Mexico
Nubank launched operations in Mexico, beginning with credit cards and later expanding to digital accounts. Mexico would become the company's second-largest market, reaching 10 million customers by 2024.
2020Nubank
Launch of NuInvest and expansion to Colombia
Nubank launched NuInvest, a zero-fee brokerage platform for stocks and ETFs, and expanded operations to Colombia with the Cuenta Nu digital account. The company also reached 30 million customers globally.
2021Nubank
IPO on the New York Stock Exchange
Nubank completed its IPO on December 9, 2021, raising $2.6 billion at $9 per share and achieving a valuation of approximately $41-45 billion. The IPO made co-founder Cristina Junqueira one of only two self-made female billionaires in Brazil.
2022Nubank
Acquisition of Olivia AI and first annual profitability path
Nubank acquired Olivia AI, an American startup providing AI-powered financial management services, to strengthen its data and personalization capabilities. The company also reduced losses significantly as it moved toward profitability.
2022Volkswagen
Oliver Blume becomes chairman
Oliver Blume became chairman of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft in 2022. He also ran Porsche AG alongside the group role until Michael Leiters took over as Porsche CEO on January 1, 2026, leaving Blume focused on Volkswagen Group.
2023Nubank
First annual net profit and 85 million customers
Nubank reported its first annual net profit of $1.03 billion in FY2023, with revenue of $8.03 billion. The company reached 85 million customers and demonstrated that its digital-only model could generate sustainable profitability.
2024Nubank
Record revenue and 114 million customers
Nubank reported FY2024 revenue of $11.52 billion and net income of $1.97 billion, crossed 100 million customers in May 2024, acquired AI startup Hyperplane, and invested $150 million in South Africa's Tyme Group as part of its $250 million Series D.
2024Volkswagen
Rivian software joint venture
Volkswagen and Rivian launched a software joint venture targeting next-generation electrical architecture.
2025Nubank
131 million customers and ARPAC of $15
Nubank added about 17 million customers in 2025, ending the year with 131 million, while quarterly ARPAC reached about $15. FY2025 IFRS revenue was $15.77 billion and net income was $2.87 billion.
2025Volkswagen
Revenue reaches ~$364B (EUR321.9B)
Volkswagen reported ~$364 billion (EUR321.9 billion) in sales revenue, ~$10.1 billion (EUR8.9 billion) in operating result, and 8.984 million deliveries.
2026Nubank
Conditional US national bank charter
In January 2026, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted Nu conditional approval to establish a national bank, with Cristina Junqueira leading the US business.
2026Nubank
First $1 billion quarter and Mexican bank launch
Nu reported Q2 2026 net income of $1.061 billion on gross revenue of $5.88 billion and 139 million customers. In August 2026 it launched its bank in Mexico with 16 million customers.
2026Nubank
US product launch
On September 10, 2026, Nubank launched US products in Miami, including a credit card, high-yield savings and remittances, through sponsor bank Lead Bank while its own charter is pending.
Acquisitions
Nubank
- Hyperplane2024Undisclosed
- Olivia AI2022Undisclosed
- Spin Pay2021Undisclosed
- Easynvest2020Undisclosed
Volkswagen
- Porsche AG2012Undisclosed
- Bentley Motors1998Undisclosed
- Auto Union / Audi1965Undisclosed
Questions about Nubank vs Volkswagen
Who is the CEO of Nu Holdings Ltd. and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Nu Holdings Ltd. is led by David Vélez and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is led by Oliver Blume. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Nu Holdings Ltd. founded vs Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1937 — 76 years before Nu Holdings Ltd., which was founded in 2013. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Nu Holdings Ltd..
How many employees does Nu Holdings Ltd. have compared to Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Nu Holdings Ltd. employs approximately 10,027 people, while Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft employs approximately 663,000. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has the larger workforce at 663,000 employees, compared to Nu Holdings Ltd.'s 10,027. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Nu Holdings Ltd. and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft headquartered?
Nu Holdings Ltd. is headquartered in Brazil and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is headquartered in Germany. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Nu Holdings Ltd. and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Nu Holdings Ltd. was founded by David Vélez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, Edward Wible. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft was founded by Ferdinand Porsche.
Which company has a longer operating history — Nu Holdings Ltd. or Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has been operating for approximately 89 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Nu Holdings Ltd. has been in operation for around 13 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Nubank vs Volkswagen overview