Kavya Murthy

Credit Strategy & Risk Management | General Manager & FinTech Operator | Startup Advisory

New York City Metropolitan Area

About

I’m a startup advisor & financial services executive with nearly 15 years of experience delivering impact for global institutions on Wall Street, beloved SMEs on Main Street, and early-stage startups. No matter the challenge at hand, differentiated strategies are at the core. During my ten-year tenure at Citi, I delivered top portfolio performance through calculated risks and quickly responding to market shifts. I partnered with the C-suite and Board of Directors to create risk management frameworks that still guide a $10Bn portfolio today. My expertise spans portfolio management, credit underwriting, and relationship building. At Citi, I was frequently promoted due to my track record of outsize returns–and the robust network I built internally & externally. Senior leaders called me a ‘super connector’—whether I’m building a global, cross-functional team or leading a fundraising round, I always know the right person to tap. Over the past four years, I’ve built a consultancy focused on advising early-stage founders. In particular, female & minority founders–empowering those who have been traditionally overlooked with the connections & infrastructure to achieve success. I’ve partnered with 20+ early-stage FinTech & marketplace startups to create differentiated go-to-market strategies, lead fundraising, and drive long-term growth. In the next stage of my career, I hope to leverage both spheres of my experience in an impact-centered role.

Experience

  • Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy at Sunlight Financial
    Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

  • Principal & Operating Partner at Backbeat Ventures
    Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

    Partner with early-stage FinTech and marketplace startups. Serve as trusted advisor to founders and C-suite executives on credit strategy, fintech-bank partnerships, risk frameworks, fundraising, and concept development.

  • newcube (2 yrs 4 mos)
    • Head of Strategy (Interim)
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Advisory Board Chair
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Mentor
      Mar 2024 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • VC-in-Residence & Due Diligence Advisor at Pipeline Angels
    Aug 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Pipeline Angels is changing the face of angel investing and venture capital, as well as creating funding for trans women, cis women, nonbinary, two-spirit, agender, and gender-nonconforming founders. Led first-time angel investors during due diligence lifecycle for consumer goods company seeking $60K seed round investment. Culminated in incremental $30K commitment from the broader network.

  • Mentor - Fellowship for Female Founders at The Entrepreneur Forum (EF)
    Aug 2023 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos

    Create structured curriculum to provide training, resources, and coaching to first-time female entrepreneurs looking to raise their first outside capital. Culminated in an annual Demo Day event; attended alongside VCs such as Golden Seeds Ventures and Mass Ventures. The Entrepreneur Forum was acquired by VentureWell in 2025.