Forbes 30 Under 30 Once Again in Trouble, Fintech CEO Accused of Fraud

This is not the first time this list has “flopped,” as SBF, Charlie Javice, and others have all previously appeared on it.

Author: Lucas Ropek

Translation: Deep潮 TechFlow

Deep潮 Guide: Forbes 30 Under 30 list adds another “black mark.” 26-year-old Turkish-born founder Gökçe Güven, CEO of fintech startup Kalder, has been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of securities fraud, telecommunications fraud, visa fraud, and serious identity theft. Prosecutors say that during the $7 million seed round financing in April 2024, she provided investors with a business plan filled with false information—claiming that 26 brands were using Kalder, when in fact many companies had never signed any agreement with Kalder.

This is not the first time this list has “flopped,” as SBF, Charlie Javice, and others have all previously appeared on it.

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Today, the Forbes 30 Under 30 list has become notorious for the number of its members who are later accused of fraud. Notable “alumni” include FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Frank CEO Charlie Javice, AI startup AllHere Education founder Joanna Smith-Griffin, and “pharmaceutical villain” Martin Shkreli. Now, another member of the list has been indicted by the federal government.

26-year-old Turkish entrepreneur Gökçe Güven, founder and CEO of fintech startup Kalder, was accused last week of securities fraud, telecommunications fraud, visa fraud, and serious identity theft.

This New York-based fintech startup uses the slogan “Turn your rewards into an income engine,” claiming to help businesses create and monetize personalized reward programs. The company was founded in 2022 and offers participating businesses opportunities to earn ongoing revenue through partner alliance sales, Axios previously reported.

Güven was included in last year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The magazine noted that Güven’s clients include major chocolate manufacturer Godiva and the International Air Transport Association (IATA)—a trade organization representing most airlines worldwide. Kalder also claimed to have support from several well-known venture capital firms.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that during Kalder’s seed round financing in April 2024, Güven successfully raised $7 million from more than a dozen investors by presenting a business plan filled with false information.

According to the government, Kalder’s business plan claimed that 26 brands “are using Kalder,” and another 53 brands are in “freemium mode.” However, officials say that in many cases, Kalder was simply offering these companies pilot programs at steep discounts. Other brands “had no agreements whatsoever with Kalder—even no free services,” officials said in a press release announcing the indictment. The business plan also “falsely reported that Kalder’s recurring revenue has been steadily growing month over month since February 2023, reaching $1.2 million in annual recurring revenue by March 2024.”

The government also accuses Güven of maintaining two separate sets of financial records. One set contained “false and exaggerated figures” presented to investors or potential investors to conceal the “true financial condition of the company,” authorities claim. The DOJ also alleges that Güven used false information about Kalder and forged documents to obtain a visa category reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability,” allowing her to live and work in the United States.

TechCrunch contacted her through Güven’s personal website. The CEO stated she would release a statement regarding these allegations on Tuesday.