Fintech CEO and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum has been charged for alleged fraud

The Forbes 30 Under 30 list has gained a reputation for highlighting individuals who later find themselves embroiled in legal controversies. Following in the footsteps of notable figures such as FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried and 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli, Gökçe Güven, a 26-year-old Turkish entrepreneur and the founder of fintech startup Kalder, has been charged with multiple counts of fraud. Güven's company, Kalder, which launched in 2022, promotes its services with the slogan "Turn Your Rewards into a Revenue Engine." The startup claims to assist businesses in developing and profiting from personalized rewards programs. However, the U.S. Department of Justice has brought forth serious allegations against Güven, including securities fraud, wire fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft. According to the DOJ, during Kalder's seed funding round in April 2024, Güven reportedly raised $7 million from numerous investors by presenting a misleading pitch deck. This document claimed that 26 brands were actively using Kalder's services and another 53 were engaged in a freemium model. However, officials assert that many of these companies were only participating in discounted pilot programs, and some had no agreements with Kalder at all. The pitch materials also falsely asserted that Kalder's recurring revenue had consistently increased since February 2023, claiming an annual recurring revenue of $1.2 million by March 2024. Furthermore, the government alleges that Güven maintained two separate financial records—one of which contained inflated figures intended to mislead investors about the company's actual financial status. In addition to financial misrepresentation, Güven is accused of fabricating documents and providing false information to secure a visa meant for individuals of extraordinary ability, enabling her to reside and work in the United States. As the case unfolds, TechCrunch has reached out to Güven, who indicated that a statement regarding the charges would be forthcoming.