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, Venture Investing

Kateryna Chupryna

Director

Cagla Kaymaz

Senior Vice President

Everett Leonidas

Director

Robert Li

Vice President, Citi Ventures

Blaze O'Byrne

Vice President, Venture Investing

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 Personal Finance

Clara

Venture Round in 2025
Clara is a spending management platform focused on serving companies in Latin America. It offers an end-to-end solution that includes locally-issued corporate cards, bill payment services, financing options, and a software platform that streamlines corporate expense management. The platform is designed to simplify and automate financial processes, allowing businesses to gain real-time insights into spending and manage budgets more effectively. Clara is backed by a diverse group of global and regional investors, aiming to empower companies with greater financial agility and clarity. By enhancing the way company finances are managed, Clara contributes to increasing the economic competitiveness of the region.

Wealth.com

Series A in 2024
Wealth.com is a digital estate planning platform that enables individuals to create, manage, and visualize their estate plans in a secure online environment. The platform provides users with a comprehensive view of their assets, which are securely stored and easily accessible. Wealth.com implements advanced asset aggregation technology and robust security measures, including bank-level encryption, to ensure that users can confidently manage their plans. In addition to individual use, Wealth.com offers its services to companies as an employee benefit, promoting financial wellness among employees. The platform also includes features that allow for emergency access by trusted beneficiaries, ensuring that plans remain accessible when needed most.

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.

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.

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.

Clara

Series B in 2023
Clara is a spending management platform focused on serving companies in Latin America. It offers an end-to-end solution that includes locally-issued corporate cards, bill payment services, financing options, and a software platform that streamlines corporate expense management. The platform is designed to simplify and automate financial processes, allowing businesses to gain real-time insights into spending and manage budgets more effectively. Clara is backed by a diverse group of global and regional investors, aiming to empower companies with greater financial agility and clarity. By enhancing the way company finances are managed, Clara contributes to increasing the economic competitiveness of the region.

Clerkie

Series A in 2023
Clerkie is an AI-driven financial planning platform designed to assist Americans in managing their debt and enhancing their financial literacy. The company utilizes a proprietary financial automation system that incorporates conversational AI to create detailed financial knowledge graphs. This technology allows users to easily understand their financial situations and take actionable steps toward debt management. By combining expert financial advice with automated solutions, Clerkie aims to simplify the process of addressing debt burdens, making it more accessible for individuals to implement effective financial strategies.

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.

Anyfin

Series C in 2023
Anyfin AB, established in 2017 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, specializes in loan refinancing. The company enables users to refinance existing loans by simply taking a photo of their loan statement, utilizing artificial intelligence and consumer data. Anyfin aims to improve users' financial situations by offering fair, simple, and smart services, with a focus on reducing interest costs and fees. In addition to loan refinancing, the company also provides services to help users manage their finances and subscriptions more effectively.

Greenwood

Series B in 2022
Greenwood is a financial technology firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, that operates a digital banking platform tailored specifically for Black and Latinx individuals and business owners. Founded in 2020, Greenwood offers a range of financial services designed to empower its clients, including savings and spending accounts, peer-to-peer transfers, mobile deposit capabilities, and access to a global network of automated teller machines. The platform emphasizes community reinvestment and innovative features, such as early pay options, all delivered through a user-friendly mobile banking experience. With a commitment to serving underrepresented communities, Greenwood aims to provide best-in-class digital banking services while fostering economic growth and support for its customers.

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.

Nubank

Post in 2022
Nubank is a prominent digital bank revolutionizing finance with its customer-centric approach. It provides a variety of services, including credit cards, personal loans, and digital payments, all accessible through a simple mobile app. Known for transparency, ease of use, and low fees, Nubank aims to empower users with innovative solutions for better financial management.

Betterment

Series F in 2021
Betterment LLC is an online financial advisory firm based in New York, founded in 2007. The company specializes in automated investing services that help individuals manage their finances through a customized and diversified portfolio. Betterment offers a range of investment options, including traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and trust accounts, all of which are designed to optimize investment returns. Its services also include financial and retirement planning, tax loss harvesting, and cash management tools, such as the Two-Way Sweep feature. Betterment caters to various customer segments, including individual investors, businesses through Betterment for Business, and financial advisors via Betterment for Advisors. The firm charges a management fee for its services and focuses on providing personalized, goal-based investing solutions to enhance clients' long-term financial success.

DriveWealth

Series D in 2021
DriveWealth is a fintech company based in Chatham, New Jersey, founded in 2012. It operates a mobile investing platform designed for individual investors, offering a range of exchange-traded funds, U.S.-listed stocks, and educational content to help users understand financial basics. DriveWealth's technology enables partners worldwide to provide branded investing experiences, facilitating customer acquisition, loyalty, retention, and revenue growth. The company specializes in fractional equities trading and offers cloud-based, API-driven brokerage infrastructure, allowing global partners to access the U.S. equities market through real-time fractional share investments.

Daylight

Seed Round in 2021
Daylight is a digital banking platform based in West Hollywood, California, specifically designed for the LGBT+ community. Founded in 2020, Daylight provides a range of financial services, including prepaid cards and an app that offers tools, advice, and cashback for spending at queer bars and allied businesses. The platform aims to empower its members by helping them navigate the financial system, develop smarter financial habits, and connect with a supportive community. By focusing on the unique needs of the LGBT+ population, Daylight fosters financial literacy and encourages users to build a future that aligns with their values.

SmartAsset

Series D in 2021
SmartAsset is an online platform that provides consumer-focused financial information and advice, facilitating connections between consumers and financial advisors through its SmartAdvisor marketplace. The company reaches approximately 75 million individuals monthly with its educational content, personalized calculators, and financial tools designed to guide users in making informed personal finance decisions related to home buying, retirement, and taxes. SmartAsset has garnered recognition for its rapid growth and innovation, being named one of the fastest-growing private companies and receiving accolades for its financial planning technology. The company recently completed a significant funding round, further solidifying its valuation and position in the financial technology sector.

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.

Arcus Financial Intelligence

Venture Round in 2020
Arcus Financial Intelligence, Inc. is a New York-based company that develops and operates an application program interface (API) platform designed for banks and financial institutions. The platform focuses on managing consumer bills and financial data, offering real-time bill management and payment services. Users can gain insights into their family finances, including details about outstanding bills, amounts owed, and due dates. Additionally, Arcus provides a multi-rail payment platform that facilitates various payment methods, making payments more accessible for consumers. Founded in 2012 and originally known as Regalii Inc., the company rebranded to Arcus Financial Intelligence, Inc. in June 2018.

Digit

Series C in 2019
Digit, Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in a mobile application designed to help users manage their finances effectively. Founded in 2012, the app analyzes users' spending habits and automatically saves a tailored amount of money each day, based on their income and expenditure patterns. By utilizing machine learning and insights from behavioral psychology, Digit aims to reduce the stress associated with financial management and assists users in building a secure financial future. The platform keeps savings in a separate account and adjusts the savings amount daily, helping users achieve their financial goals without requiring constant attention.

SmartAsset

Series C in 2018
SmartAsset is an online platform that provides consumer-focused financial information and advice, facilitating connections between consumers and financial advisors through its SmartAdvisor marketplace. The company reaches approximately 75 million individuals monthly with its educational content, personalized calculators, and financial tools designed to guide users in making informed personal finance decisions related to home buying, retirement, and taxes. SmartAsset has garnered recognition for its rapid growth and innovation, being named one of the fastest-growing private companies and receiving accolades for its financial planning technology. The company recently completed a significant funding round, further solidifying its valuation and position in the financial technology sector.

Clarity Money

Series B in 2017
Clarity Money, Inc. is a New York-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in a personal finance application powered by artificial intelligence. The application is designed to assist individuals in managing their personal finances by providing tools to analyze spending habits and make informed financial decisions. Users can lower their bills, cancel unnecessary subscriptions, transfer money, open savings accounts, and check their credit scores through the app. Clarity Money aims to enhance financial transparency and empower users to optimize their financial resources. As of April 2018, Clarity Money operates as a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs Bank USA.

Plaid

Series B in 2016
Plaid Inc. is a technology company that facilitates the connection between consumers' bank accounts and applications, aiming to democratize financial services through advanced technological solutions. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, it provides a comprehensive suite of APIs that enable developers to create financial products connecting users with traditional financial institutions. Plaid's offerings include tools for accessing transaction history and balance data, authenticating bank accounts for payments, verifying identities, and confirming real-time account balances and income. These products support various applications in personal finances, consumer payments, lending, banking, and business finance. With a focus on enhancing both consumer experiences and developer capabilities, Plaid serves a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 50 companies, positioning itself as a vital infrastructure provider in the digital financial landscape.

Betterment

Series E in 2016
Betterment LLC is an online financial advisory firm based in New York, founded in 2007. The company specializes in automated investing services that help individuals manage their finances through a customized and diversified portfolio. Betterment offers a range of investment options, including traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and trust accounts, all of which are designed to optimize investment returns. Its services also include financial and retirement planning, tax loss harvesting, and cash management tools, such as the Two-Way Sweep feature. Betterment caters to various customer segments, including individual investors, businesses through Betterment for Business, and financial advisors via Betterment for Advisors. The firm charges a management fee for its services and focuses on providing personalized, goal-based investing solutions to enhance clients' long-term financial success.

Betterment

Series C in 2014
Betterment LLC is an online financial advisory firm based in New York, founded in 2007. The company specializes in automated investing services that help individuals manage their finances through a customized and diversified portfolio. Betterment offers a range of investment options, including traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and trust accounts, all of which are designed to optimize investment returns. Its services also include financial and retirement planning, tax loss harvesting, and cash management tools, such as the Two-Way Sweep feature. Betterment caters to various customer segments, including individual investors, businesses through Betterment for Business, and financial advisors via Betterment for Advisors. The firm charges a management fee for its services and focuses on providing personalized, goal-based investing solutions to enhance clients' long-term financial success.

Block

Series D in 2012
Block, Inc. is a technology company specializing in financial services, founded in 2009. It operates several key platforms, including Square, Cash App, TIDAL, and TBD, aimed at enhancing economic access for individuals and businesses. Block provides payment services to merchants and has developed Cash App as a person-to-person payment network, facilitating seamless transactions among users. In 2023, the payment volume processed through Square exceeded $200 million, reflecting the company's significant role in the financial technology landscape.

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.

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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