Ross is Co-Founder and CEO of ZenBusiness, an all-in-one platform based in Austin, Texas, that helps small business owners start, run, grow, and stay protected. Since 2015, he has led the company to support more than 950,000 entrepreneurs in forming legal business entities, staying compliant, and scaling with AI-powered tools.
"Fear is a liar that holds us back. Don't let fear dictate your actions – go for it."
Ross Buhrdorf, CEO and Co-Founder
Ross leads ZenBusiness with a deep commitment to empowering entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Under his leadership, ZenBusiness has become one of the fastest-growing platforms for business formation and compliance. The company’s mission reflects Ross’s own entrepreneurial mindset: to simplify and demystify business ownership so anyone can succeed on their own terms
A Nebraska native, Ross Buhrdorf has spent his career solving complex problems through technology. Before founding ZenBusiness, Ross was the founding Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of HomeAway, a vacation rental marketplace that scaled globally under his leadership and was acquired by Expedia in 2015. He met Shanaz Hemmati, his future co-founder at ZenBusiness, during their time at Excite.com – one of the internet’s earliest web portals.
These shared experiences helped Ross and Shanaz define the vision for ZenBusiness: a worry-free platform where small business owners can access tools, education, and expert guidance – all in one place.
Ross’s focus on combining technology with human support has led ZenBusiness to be widely recognized for its customer-centric innovation. As of 2024, ZenBusiness continues to grow its reach through accessible solutions, AI-driven features, and values rooted in inclusivity and empowerment.
"FEAR IS A LIAR that holds us back, convincing us to stay in our comfort zones and avoid taking risks. True success comes from recognizing this deception and taking bold leaps to pursue our goals.
By embracing the truth and actively listening to our customers, we identify problems, uncover opportunities, and continuously improve. Don't let fear dictate your actions—go for it, and face challenges head-on."
Ross Buhrdorf, CEO and Co-Founder of ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness empowers entrepreneurs to start and protect their business as it grows—all in one place.
Get industry leading service, AI tools and award-winning support to simplify and accelerate small business. Let our team help keep you protected, cover ongoing compliance requirements, and grow your business all from our seamless, intuitive platform.
Interview on Cheddar Media
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