Competitive sailing victories in the 1988 and 1990 French national championships preceded the career of Renaud Laplanche, a French-American entrepreneur who later navigated the volatile landscape of financial technology. Since founding his first software venture in 1999, he has launched several firms, steering them through rapid growth, public markets, and rigorous regulatory scrutiny.
Early Legal and Software Ventures
Born in 1970, Laplanche pursued business and law, earning degrees from the University of Montpellier and HEC Paris. Between 1995 and 1999, he practiced as a securities lawyer at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in Paris and New York. Transitioning to technology, he co-founded TripleHop Technologies in 1999. Although their office in the New York World Trade Center was destroyed in the September 11 attacks, the firm recovered to launch the MatchPoint search engine. Oracle Corporation acquired TripleHop in 2005 for a reported 10 million USD, leading Laplanche to manage product integration at Oracle for over a year.
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In 2006, Laplanche co-founded LendingClub, seeking to eliminate bank intermediaries by connecting investors directly with borrowers. The platform launched on Facebook to test user trust. After securing venture capital, the company expanded, eventually completing an IPO on December 10, 2014, where its stock price rose 56% on the first day. In 2016, Laplanche resigned following an internal review regarding business practices. The SEC subsequently investigated the firm, and in 2018, Laplanche settled the matter in an administrative proceeding without admitting or denying findings.
Modern Fintech Operations
Following his departure from LendingClub, Laplanche co-founded Upgrade, Inc. in August 2016 to provide mobile banking and credit products. The company secured substantial venture funding, reaching a 6.28 billion USD valuation in November 2021 after a Series F round. By October 2025, the firm had reportedly raised an additional 165 million USD in equity, continuing its focus on consumer financial services.
Sailing and Recognition
Laplanche maintains an active life in competitive sailing. In April 2015, he and co-skipper Ryan Breymaier set a speed record for a voyage from Newport, Rhode Island to Bermuda. He also held a Transpac speed record between Long Beach and Hawaii from 2015 to 2017. Throughout his business career, he has received numerous accolades, including the 2012 BFM Entrepreneur of the Year award and the 2014 Economist Innovation Award.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, France
- Education: University of Montpellier, HEC Paris, London Business School
- TripleHop Technologies founded: 1999
- LendingClub IPO: December 10, 2014
- Upgrade, Inc. founded: August 2016
- Fintech Executive of the Year (Finovate): 2020
- Citizenship: France
Questions readers ask
What was the result of the SEC investigation into LendingClub?
In 2018, Laplanche settled the matter with the SEC in an administrative proceeding without admitting or denying the findings.
What is the primary function of Upgrade, Inc.?
The company provides credit and mobile banking products.
Achievements
- Educated at HEC Paris and University of Montpellier
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