Business · Companies · 1 day ago
XP founder says businesses must be able to operate without them
Guilherme Benchimol founded XP and led it as CEO for more than two decades.
Since 2021, he has served as chair of XP Inc., focusing on strategy, governance and developing leaders.
He says a company that depends entirely on its founder is more like a demanding job than a lasting business.
In his view, founders need to build strong teams and let capable people take on greater responsibility.
This change can be difficult for entrepreneurs who succeeded by doing things themselves but have not yet learned to manage people.
Benchimol also supports entrepreneurs through the nonprofit B55 Institute, which offers a trusted setting to discuss challenges and improve their businesses.
Guilherme Benchimol, founder of XP, moved from the company’s CEO role to become chair of its board in 2021.
He said a business reaches maturity when it no longer depends exclusively on its founder.
Benchimol said his current work focuses on strategy, governance and developing leaders, with more attention to long-term issues than he had as CEO.
He said entrepreneurs often struggle to shift from executing tasks to managing people and building strong teams.
In an interview at the B55 Conference, he also discussed the B55 Institute, a nonprofit initiative that supports entrepreneurs, and the potential of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Who
- Guilherme Benchimol, founder and chair of XP Inc.
- What
- Benchimol discussed his transition from CEO to board chair, leadership and entrepreneurship, the B55 Institute, and artificial intelligence.
- When
- The interview was published on October 10, 2026; Benchimol took on his current role in 2021.
- Where
- At the B55 Conference; the article does not state where the conference was held.
- Why
- To discuss how entrepreneurs can build businesses that do not depend on them and develop stronger teams.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Você só tem um negócio de verdade quando se torna substituível.
Se a empresa depende exclusivamente de você, não tem um negócio; tem um superemprego.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- XP CEO tenure
- Benchimol led XP for more than two decades.
- Current role
- He became chair of XP Inc.’s board in 2021.
- Interview setting
- The interview took place during the B55 Conference.
- B55 Institute
- A nonprofit initiative focused on developing entrepreneurs.
Sources
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