Gokce Guven, Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree, Faces Fraud Charges

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 15
SUMMARY

Gökçe Güven, founder and CEO of Kalder Inc. and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, was charged with a second count of aggravated identity theft on April 15, 2026, by federal prosecutors, related to a forged corporate partnership contract. As of April 15, 2026, Güven is accused of defrauding investors of approximately $7 million during Kalder's seed funding round by allegedly overstating the company's financials, brand partners, and paying customers. Güven, who was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list on January 1, 2025, with Kalder reporting $11 million raised and a $35 million valuation, is also attempting to unseal subpoena information while the government seeks to exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Federal prosecutors filed a superseding indictment adding a second aggravated identity theft charge against Gökçe Güven, founder and CEO of Kalder Inc.

    Federal prosecutors filed a superseding indictment adding a second aggravated identity theft charge against Gökçe Güven, founder and CEO of Kalder Inc., related to a forged corporate partnership contract. Güven is accused of defrauding investors of approximately $7 million during Kalder's seed funding round by allegedly overstating the company's financials, brand partners, and paying customers.

January 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Gokce Guven attempted to unseal subpoena information, while the government is seeking to exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act in her fraud case.

    Gokce Guven attempted to unseal subpoena information, while the government is seeking to exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act in her fraud case.

January 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Gokce Guven was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Marketing & Advertising, with the articl…

    Gokce Guven was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Marketing & Advertising, with the article citing Kalder's reported success, including $11 million raised and a $35 million valuation.