Forbes 30 Under 30 Strikes Again: Another Fraud Case

$7 million raised from investors. 26 brands claimed as clients. One year later: federal fraud charges. The Forbes 30 Under 30 list has another alumni problem.

Gökçe Güven, the 26-year-old Turkish founder and CEO of fintech startup Kalder, was charged last week with securities fraud, wire fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft. She joins an increasingly notorious group of Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees who've traded their accolades for criminal charges.

The House of Cards Collapses

Kalder promised to help companies "Turn Your Rewards into [a] Revenue Engine," offering businesses the chance to create and monetize individual rewards programs. Founded in 2022, the New York-based startup claimed major clients including chocolatier Godiva and the International Air Transport Association, which represents most of the world's airlines.

But according to the Department of Justice, it was all smoke and mirrors. During Kalder's seed round in April 2024, Güven allegedly presented investors with a pitch deck riddled with false information to secure $7 million from more than a dozen investors.

The pitch deck claimed 26 brands were "using Kalder" and another 53 brands were in "live freemium." In reality, many of these companies had only been offered heavily discounted pilot programs. Some brands "had no agreement with Kalder whatsoever—not even for free services," federal officials revealed.

Two Sets of Books, One Big Lie

The government alleges Güven maintained two separate financial records. One set contained "false and inflated numbers" designed to hide the company's true financial condition from investors. The fraudulent pitch deck claimed Kalder's recurring revenue had grown steadily since February 2023, reaching $1.2 million in annual recurring revenue by March 2024.

The DOJ also accuses Güven of using lies about Kalder and forged documents to obtain a visa category reserved for individuals of "extraordinary ability," allowing her to live and work in the United States.

The Forbes 30 Under 30 Curse

Güven's indictment adds another name to the growing list of Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni facing criminal charges. The roster now includes FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Frank CEO Charlie Javice, AllHere Education founder Joanna Smith-Griffin, and "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli, among others.

What was once considered a prestigious launchpad for young innovators has become something of a red flag for investors and industry watchers. The pattern raises uncomfortable questions about the vetting process behind these high-profile recognition programs and the pressure they create for young entrepreneurs to inflate their achievements.

The Ecosystem's Accountability Gap

The Kalder case highlights a broader issue in startup culture: the gap between perception and reality. When young founders are celebrated for their potential rather than proven results, it creates perverse incentives to fabricate success metrics. The venture capital ecosystem's emphasis on rapid growth and impressive numbers can inadvertently reward those willing to bend the truth.

TechCrunch reached out to Güven through her personal website, and she indicated she would share a statement about the charges on Tuesday.