Despite dropping out of MIT to build $159 billion fintech Stripe, its CEO has a warning for Gen Z who want to copy him: ‘That was a poor intuition’

Patrick Collison, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Stripe, recently cautioned Gen Z against following his example of dropping out of MIT. Speaking at Y Combinator's Startup School, Collison stated that his early decision to drop out was driven by an unfounded sense of urgency and a belief that some startup opportunities were fleeting.

He now regrets this intuition, as the Silicon Valley has a surplus of opportunities. Collison also addressed concerns that students might have about the permanence of dropping out, emphasizing that it is not as irreversible as they fear. He encouraged young people to see it as an option they can return to if their plans change. While some successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs dropped out of college, many others have advised that formal education can provide valuable skills and experience.

Jeff Bezos, for instance, encourages students to consider staying in college, as the traditional path may improve their odds of success. AI is currently making entrepreneurship more accessible, according to Collison, who noted a significant increase in new businesses launching using Stripe's platform.