An Airwallex Program

Automated What Once Required Full Finance Teams, Completing Tens of Thousands of Filings for Startups Worldwide

Inkle is a US-focused next-generation accounting firm that pairs AI agents with human bookkeepers and CPAs, serving US companies with bookkeeping, tax filing, and compliance services alongside in-house engineered products. As CEO and co-founder, Krishna built Inkle Tax and Inkle Books, the company's AI-powered general ledger, from scratch.

He leads the demand generation architecture that has resulted in tens of thousands of completed filings for thousands of US companies, including over 5% of all Y Combinator companies. He also leads finance, marketing, sales, partnerships, and fundraising. Inkle has over 150 professionals across four countries, operates at over double the gross margin of traditional accounting firms, and is backed by Picus Capital, Saison Capital, and Force Ventures.

As administrator of YC's India alumni community, Krishna remains a direct resource for hundreds of founders navigating early accounting, compliance, and company formation matters.

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Anand Krishna

Inkle

What Startup Finance 30 is

Finance is one of the most under-leveraged growth levers a startup has.

The best finance leaders don't just keep the books. They extend runway, structure capital that changes what a company can do next, and build the systems that let it scale across borders.

Startup Finance 30 is the first list built to recognise that work. Beginning in 2026 and continuing annually, we name 30 finance leaders at venture-backed, globally ambitious startups. The operators shaping how the next generation of companies grow.

Who's doing the most consequential finance work in the startup world right now?

This list is the answer.

FAQ

More information on how SF30 works.

Who's behind Startup Finance 30?

Startup Finance 30 is published by Airwallex. We built it because we work with globally ambitious companies every day, and the finance leaders driving that growth deserve more recognition than they get. Selection sits with the committee.

Who selects the final 30?

A committee of operating CFOs and finance leaders. They score every candidate against a five-part merit rubric and ratify the final list. See the full selection methodology.

Is there a fee? Can I pay to be included?

No. It's free to enter, and recognition is earned on merit.