Inspired by a local jazz show in 2009, Andrew Kortina and Iqram Magdon-Ismail first sketched this preliminary idea for an app called Venmo, then a platform where audience members could purchase songs directly from performers via phone or email. It wasn’t until weeks later – when a visiting Iqram forgot his wallet and had to pay Andrew back via check for covering his expenses – did they evolve this idea into the expansive mobile payment exchange Venmo is known as today.