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Mark Thomas
CTO / Co-founder at Sequin Financial, Inc.
Mark Thomas is a seasoned technology professional who currently serves as the CTO and Co-founder of Sequin Financial, Inc., a fintech startup focused on empowering women financially.12 Here's an overview of his background and career:
Education and Early Career
Mark Thomas graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.12 He began his career as a Software Engineer at VeriSign in 2001, where he worked for four years.2
Career Progression
PayPal Experience:: Mark spent nearly a decade at PayPal, holding two significant roles:
- Technical Lead (2005-2012): Led a team of 11 engineers, managing a payment gateway handling over $300M per day in transaction volume.2
- Software Development Manager (2012-2015): Served as development manager and product owner for PayPal's next-generation payment switch.2
Entrepreneurial Ventures::
- Co-founder and CTO at LittleLane (2015-2017): Responsible for technology decisions and implementation strategy for a platform helping parents find local family activities.2
- CTO at Pearachute (2017-2021): Oversaw the implementation and maintenance of websites and mobile apps for a service inspiring children's creativity.2
Current Role at Sequin Financial
In April 2021, Mark Thomas co-founded Sequin Financial, Inc. with Vrinda Gupta.23 As CTO, he is leveraging his extensive experience in payment systems and financial technology to build an autonomous financial platform aimed at guiding women towards favorable credit outcomes.13
Mission and Vision
Sequin Financial, backed by Y Combinator, is on a mission to address gender-based financial gaps. The company offers a debit card designed for women, providing cashback rewards on specific categories and access to high-interest checking accounts.3 Mark's expertise in payment systems and engineering leadership from PayPal complements the vision of creating accessible lending products across various life needs for women.34
Mark Thomas's combination of technical expertise, leadership experience in major financial technology companies, and entrepreneurial spirit positions him well to drive the technological aspects of Sequin Financial's innovative approach to women's financial empowerment.
