Fall from Grace: Former Fintech CEO and Forbes 30 Under 30 Alum Facing Fraud Charges

Gökçe Güven, the mastermind behind the New York-based fintech startup Kalder, found herself in hot water last week when she was hit with a slew of charges, including securities fraud, wire fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Kalder, which was established in 2022 and boasts the slogan “Turn Your Rewards into [a] Revenue Engine,” offers companies the opportunity to create and monetize individual rewards programs. Through partner affiliate sales, participating firms can generate ongoing revenue streams, as previously reported by Axios.

Despite Güven’s inclusion in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list last year, her reputation has taken a hit with the recent allegations. The magazine highlighted Güven’s work with major clients like Godiva and the International Air Transport Association, as well as the support she received from prominent VC firms.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Güven managed to raise $7 million during Kalder’s seed round in April 2024 by presenting investors with a pitch deck filled with false information. The government alleges that the deck inaccurately claimed that numerous brands were using Kalder’s services and generating substantial revenue, when in reality, many of these relationships were based on discounted pilot programs or were entirely fictitious.

Furthermore, Güven is accused of maintaining two sets of financial records, with one set containing inflated figures that were presented to investors to mask the company’s true financial status. The DOJ also contends that Güven falsified documents to secure a visa allowing her to live and work in the U.S., further complicating her legal troubles.

In response to inquiries from TechCrunch, Güven stated that she would be issuing a statement regarding the allegations on Tuesday.