Kalshi was founded by Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopes Lara in 2018. The company is privately held and backed by prominent venture capital firms including Sequoia Capital, Charles Schwab, and Henry Kravis.
The Founders
Tarek Mansour - Co-founder and CEO
Tarek Mansour serves as Kalshi's CEO and is the public face of the company:
- Background: Former Citadel Securities trader and MIT graduate
- Vision: Democratize access to event markets
- Leadership: Led CFTC approval and fundraising
Luana Lopes Lara - Co-founder and COO
Luana Lopes Lara is Kalshi's COO and co-founder:
- Background: Former Two Sigma analyst and MIT graduate
- Role: Oversees operations and compliance
Bottom Line
Kalshi is owned by its founders and venture capital investors, primarily Sequoia Capital. It's a private company with strong institutional backing and a commitment to regulatory compliance.