Citi

Citi, a global financial services holding company, operates through two primary segments: Global Consumer Banking (GCB) and Institutional Clients Group (ICG). The GCB segment caters to retail customers, offering traditional banking services, Citi-branded cards, and retail services. The ICG segment serves corporate, institutional, and high-net-worth clients, providing a wide range of banking, financial, and investment services. Citi also manages approximately $4.3 billion in equity investments and committed capital through its global emerging markets private equity arm, CVCI. Additionally, Citi Ventures, the company's venture capital arm, invests in innovative ideas across sectors like fintech, data analytics, and digital assets, fostering growth and collaboration with Citi colleagues, clients, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Avi Arnon

Senior Vice President

Krishna Balachanader

Managing Director

Thompson Barro

Senior Vice President, Venture Investing

Karine Ben-Simhon

VP Intelligence Partnerships and Innovation

Matt Carbonara

Managing Director

Kateryna Chupryna

Director

Cagla Kaymaz

Senior Vice President

Everett Leonidas

Director

Robert Li

Vice President, Citi Ventures

Gaurav Mehta

Senior Vice President

Blaze O'Byrne

Vice President, Venture Investing

Arvind Purushotham

Founder&Managing Director and Global Head

Vibhor Rastogi

Global Director, AI / ML / Data Investing at Citi Ventures

Meredith Shields

Managing Director

Ornit Shinar

Director and Head, Venture Investing

Cece Stewart

President

Kate Sullivan

COO

Avery Tiras

Equity Research Senior Associate

Luis Valdich

Managing Director, Venture Investing

Jelena Zec

Director

Past deals in Credits and Lending

Atomic

Venture Round in 2025
Atomic FI is a technology company focused on enhancing consumer engagement within the financial services sector. It aims to launch a range of innovative products, starting with a balance transfer solution for credit cards, home equity lines of credit, and potentially auto loans. The company’s platform enables users to connect their payroll accounts securely using payroll credentials, thereby reducing fraud and streamlining the transaction process through multi-step verification. This approach addresses the current manual and error-prone nature of financial transactions, improving efficiency and user experience significantly. By increasing transaction speed by four to five times, Atomic FI positions itself to provide superior solutions that address critical pain points for both financial institutions and fintech companies.

Validis

Venture Round in 2025
Validis is a cloud-based FinTech company with a unique software that increases a lender’s access to their client’s financial data. Validis technology enables high-speed transmission of financial data via the web, allowing lenders to receive and review client data securely and efficiently. The software retrieves data directly from an SME’s accounting software package and generates extensive analytics and standardized “audit-in-a-box” reports that lenders can access via Validis’ pluggable feed or online portal. Validis enables lenders to respond swiftly to initial funding applications, reducing the time it takes to onboard clients and subsequently increasing lending rates. Once clients are onboard, Validis provides lenders with performance monitoring and covenant breakdown notifications so they can continue to lend with confidence.

SeQura

Venture Round in 2024
SeQura is a Barcelona-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in eCommerce payment solutions designed to enhance conversion rates and ensure secure transactions for retailers. The company provides a variety of payment methods, including immediate payment options and flexible plans such as "Buy Now Pay Later" and installment payments. SeQura's platform incorporates innovative risk scoring to improve credit access for underserved customers, catering to various sectors by offering tailored solutions that enhance customer acquisition, conversion, and retention. By focusing on user-friendly payment experiences, SeQura enables businesses to optimize sales performance while appealing to value-conscious shoppers.

iwoca

Debt Financing in 2024
Iwoca Ltd. is a credit finance provider based in London, United Kingdom, that specializes in offering financial services to small businesses. Founded in 2011, the company assists various sectors, including retailers, restaurants, and service providers, by providing unsecured business loans and short-term cash loans. Iwoca's financing solutions help businesses address short-term cash flow gaps and invest in growth opportunities such as inventory, technology, and employee expenses. The platform features a streamlined online application process, allowing clients to secure funding with flexible repayment options ranging from one day to 24 months, and there are no penalties for early repayment. Through its services, Iwoca enhances the financial capabilities of small businesses, enabling them to thrive in a competitive market.

Paywatch

Debt Financing in 2024
Paywatch operates an earned wage access platform that allows employees to access their earnings before payday. By partnering with major banks, Paywatch provides low-cost financing to employees seeking early access to their wages. The platform assesses the amount of work completed to date, facilitating immediate access to funds while helping employees establish banking relationships and improve their credit profiles. This service aims to enhance financial security and promote healthier financial habits among workers who may otherwise face challenges in accessing credit.

Numerated

Venture Round in 2024
Numerated is a fintech company that simplifies business banking for financial institutions and their clients through its innovative digital lending platform. This platform enables banks and credit unions to enhance customer experience by leveraging data to streamline the origination of various business banking products, facilitating the entire process from application to decision and closure. The software includes features such as pre-filled digital applications, decision automation, and sales and marketing tools, thereby making it easier for businesses to obtain financial products. With over 400,000 businesses and 30,000 financial institution associates utilizing the platform, Numerated has processed $50 billion in lending. Financial institutions with a collective asset base of $1 trillion employ Numerated's solutions, which have garnered recognition in the fintech industry for their effectiveness and innovation.

iwoca

Debt Financing in 2024
Iwoca Ltd. is a credit finance provider based in London, United Kingdom, that specializes in offering financial services to small businesses. Founded in 2011, the company assists various sectors, including retailers, restaurants, and service providers, by providing unsecured business loans and short-term cash loans. Iwoca's financing solutions help businesses address short-term cash flow gaps and invest in growth opportunities such as inventory, technology, and employee expenses. The platform features a streamlined online application process, allowing clients to secure funding with flexible repayment options ranging from one day to 24 months, and there are no penalties for early repayment. Through its services, Iwoca enhances the financial capabilities of small businesses, enabling them to thrive in a competitive market.

Abound

Debt Financing in 2024
Abound is a consumer lending startup based in London, United Kingdom, that aims to provide low-cost personal credit as an alternative to expensive payday loans. Founded in 2020, the company leverages the UK’s Open Banking standard to analyze consumers' historical bank statement data. This approach allows Abound to develop a detailed understanding of customers' financial situations, enabling them to assess affordability more accurately while reducing dependence on traditional credit reference agency scores. By focusing on individuals with low credit scores, Abound seeks to expand access to affordable credit, thereby promoting financial inclusion.

Defacto

Series A in 2023
Defacto is a fintech firm that offers credit infrastructure using an API for small and medium companies. The platform of the company solves the working capital requirement, provides loans, and lets businesses to return when consumers pay, allowing businesses to finance any invoices and offer early payment to suppliers, as well as automate payments and reconciliation.

Fleximize

Debt Financing in 2023
Fleximize is a UK-based alternative business lender that provides flexible funding solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2013 by Peter Tuvey, the company offers financing options ranging from £5,000 to £500,000, with terms extending from one to 60 months. Fleximize is designed to support businesses in various sectors, including professional services and hospitality, by offering tailored funding packages that include features such as repayment holidays, top-ups, and no early repayment fees. Each client is assigned a dedicated relationship manager who collaborates with them to create a customized financing solution that aligns with their growth plans.

PayJoy

Series C in 2023
PayJoy Inc. is a consumer financing company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing smartphone-enabled financing solutions, primarily targeting underbanked individuals in emerging markets. By leveraging mobile security technology, PayJoy allows customers to select a smartphone, make an initial deposit, and choose a flexible payment plan. The financed smartphone serves as collateral, unlocking its full functionality once the purchase is complete. PayJoy's mission is to enhance access to credit for underserved populations, helping them navigate financial challenges and improve their economic standing. The company has successfully reached over 10 million customers across various countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa, and continues to show solid profitability and growth.

PayJoy

Debt Financing in 2023
PayJoy Inc. is a consumer financing company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing smartphone-enabled financing solutions, primarily targeting underbanked individuals in emerging markets. By leveraging mobile security technology, PayJoy allows customers to select a smartphone, make an initial deposit, and choose a flexible payment plan. The financed smartphone serves as collateral, unlocking its full functionality once the purchase is complete. PayJoy's mission is to enhance access to credit for underserved populations, helping them navigate financial challenges and improve their economic standing. The company has successfully reached over 10 million customers across various countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa, and continues to show solid profitability and growth.

Defacto

Debt Financing in 2023
Defacto is a fintech firm that offers credit infrastructure using an API for small and medium companies. The platform of the company solves the working capital requirement, provides loans, and lets businesses to return when consumers pay, allowing businesses to finance any invoices and offer early payment to suppliers, as well as automate payments and reconciliation.

Abound

Debt Financing in 2023
Abound is a consumer lending startup based in London, United Kingdom, that aims to provide low-cost personal credit as an alternative to expensive payday loans. Founded in 2020, the company leverages the UK’s Open Banking standard to analyze consumers' historical bank statement data. This approach allows Abound to develop a detailed understanding of customers' financial situations, enabling them to assess affordability more accurately while reducing dependence on traditional credit reference agency scores. By focusing on individuals with low credit scores, Abound seeks to expand access to affordable credit, thereby promoting financial inclusion.

Lentra

Series B in 2022
Founded in 2019, Lentra is a technology company that provides a SaaS platform aimed at democratizing digital lending for banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). The platform utilizes an artificial intelligence-driven, modular architecture that allows financial institutions to create customized loan products and enhance customer experiences. Lentra's services support over 50 banks and facilitate the processing of approximately 2 million loan applications each month, totaling over $20 billion in processed loan applications. The company's solutions enable clients to expand their market reach, minimize non-performing assets, and optimize operational efficiencies, all while offering a flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model to support their growth.

SeQura

Debt Financing in 2022
SeQura is a Barcelona-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in eCommerce payment solutions designed to enhance conversion rates and ensure secure transactions for retailers. The company provides a variety of payment methods, including immediate payment options and flexible plans such as "Buy Now Pay Later" and installment payments. SeQura's platform incorporates innovative risk scoring to improve credit access for underserved customers, catering to various sectors by offering tailored solutions that enhance customer acquisition, conversion, and retention. By focusing on user-friendly payment experiences, SeQura enables businesses to optimize sales performance while appealing to value-conscious shoppers.

Propel

Debt Financing in 2022
Propel was founded in 1996 with the goal of providing flexible and accessible financing to SMEs across the country. It specializes in a wide range of asset finance solutions to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. It aspires to take its services to the next level, to push the boundaries of what is available, and to create great customer experiences that are consistent with its values.

Konfio

Debt Financing in 2022
Konfio is a financial services platform based in Mexico City, founded in 2013, that caters to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro entrepreneurs. The company offers a range of financial solutions including corporate credit cards, working capital loans, online payment solutions, and life insurance products. Konfio's mission is to support the growth and productivity of SMEs in Mexico by providing convenient and affordable access to credit options. The platform uses proprietary algorithms that combine data and technology to assess creditworthiness, thereby serving customers who are often underserved by traditional banking institutions.

Altro (fka Perch)

Series A in 2022
Altro, formerly known as Perch, is a company based in Los Angeles, California, that focuses on helping individuals enhance their credit scores by leveraging recurring expenses. Founded in 2019, Altro provides a platform that allows users to link everyday payments and subscriptions, such as bills and monthly services, to their credit history. By recognizing these often-overlooked payments, the Altro app enables users to build their credit more effectively, turning regular financial commitments into a tool for improving their creditworthiness. The service is offered for free, aiming to empower users to maximize their financial potential through better credit management.

Crowdz

Convertible Note in 2022
Crowdz is a company focused on modernizing the traditional trade finance industry through innovative invoicing software. By automating risk assessment at the receivable level, Crowdz provides funders with valuable insights that facilitate quick decision-making aligned with their investment strategies. The company has auto risk-rated $4.2 billion in receivables, leading to over $93 million in financing through its platform. Its technology bridges real-world assets with decentralized finance by digitizing receivables on-chain, thereby enabling small and midsize enterprises to access essential business financing and enhance their competitive edge. Crowdz has garnered significant support from notable customers and investors, including Citibank, Barclays, and Meta, and has raised over $28 million in funding to date.

Altro (fka Perch)

Seed Round in 2020
Altro, formerly known as Perch, is a company based in Los Angeles, California, that focuses on helping individuals enhance their credit scores by leveraging recurring expenses. Founded in 2019, Altro provides a platform that allows users to link everyday payments and subscriptions, such as bills and monthly services, to their credit history. By recognizing these often-overlooked payments, the Altro app enables users to build their credit more effectively, turning regular financial commitments into a tool for improving their creditworthiness. The service is offered for free, aiming to empower users to maximize their financial potential through better credit management.

Bluevine

Series D in 2016
Bluevine is a financial technology company dedicated to improving the financial landscape for small business owners through tailored banking solutions. Established in 2013, Bluevine has rapidly expanded its customer base to over 400,000 across all 50 states and has facilitated more than $13 billion in financing. The company specializes in working capital management, offering products such as business lines of credit and invoice factoring. Through these services, Bluevine provides immediate access to capital, enabling businesses to manage payroll, purchase supplies, and invest in growth. With a strong commitment to innovation, security, and customer care, Bluevine aims to empower small businesses to focus on their core operations and future expansion.

C2FO

Venture Round in 2016
C2FO is a global on-demand working capital platform that offers fast and flexible access to low-cost capital for nearly 2 million businesses. By utilizing its patented Name Your Rate® technology and a range of working capital solutions, C2FO enables companies to receive payments sooner from large enterprises, thereby unlocking billions in risk-free capital. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Kansas City, USA, C2FO aims to create a more inclusive financial system by ensuring that all businesses have the necessary capital to thrive. The platform helps clients optimize cash flow by allowing them to negotiate better payment terms with suppliers and customers, thereby empowering enterprises of all sizes to manage their working capital effectively. C2FO has facilitated over $275 billion in funding globally.

ReadyForZero

Series A in 2011
ReadyForZero is a financial software company based in San Francisco that provides tools to help individuals manage their debt and protect their credit. Founded in 2010 by Rod Ebrahimi and Ignacio Thayer as part of Y Combinator, the company focuses on offering a platform that enables users to track their debt, make payments, and monitor their credit status. Unlike debt negotiation or settlement services, ReadyForZero emphasizes automated financial management to assist users in tackling their debt effectively. The company is venture-backed and operates with a technical product team dedicated to improving personal finance management.

Vontive

Vontive, established in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in operating a digital platform that facilitates real estate financing. Its core business involves connecting real estate investors with lenders, offering a streamlined process for seeking, comparing, and selecting financing options for single-family, multifamily, and commercial projects. Vontive's innovative, no-code, white-label solution enables businesses serving real estate investors to launch their own investment-property mortgage services within a short timeframe, creating a new revenue stream and opening the market to new investors. The company's platform integrates financial institutions through a debt marketplace, providing real estate investors with access to predictable and cost-effective financing to compete with cash buyers. Vontive's team comprises industry veterans with nearly four decades of collective experience in the mortgage and financial services sector.

Wagestream

Wagestream Ltd., founded in 2018 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, develops a financial services application designed to enhance employee benefits and financial well-being. The platform allows employees to access their earned wages instantly, providing them with greater control over their pay schedules. This innovation aims to alleviate financial stress related to unexpected expenses by eliminating the need for advances, loans, and the burdens of high-interest credit or payday loans. Additionally, Wagestream offers various financial tools that help businesses support their employees in managing expenses, setting savings goals, and developing financial plans. By addressing these financial challenges, Wagestream seeks to reduce the poverty premium and prevent employees from falling into cycles of debt.
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