CRED founder Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp globally, to succeed Will Cathcart
PTC News Desk: Kunal Shah, the founder of CRED, has been appointed as the new head of WhatsApp, marking one of the biggest leadership roles ever taken on by an Indian entrepreneur in the global technology industry.
Meta announced that Shah will succeed Will Cathcart as the leader of WhatsApp. The appointment comes at a time when WhatsApp has evolved beyond a simple messaging app and is expanding into areas such as digital payments, business messaging and AI-powered services.
Meta said Shah's experience as a founder and product builder, along with his understanding of how people use WhatsApp in everyday life, makes him well-suited for the role. The company also noted that India, WhatsApp's largest market, has become a key region for business messaging and payments, which are expected to drive future growth.
Announcing the decision, Mark Zuckerberg praised Shah's entrepreneurial achievements, saying he had built CRED into one of India's leading technology companies and possessed the mindset needed to lead the world's biggest messaging platform.
Meta's Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, also welcomed Shah, describing him as one of India's most respected entrepreneurs with a strong understanding of products and technology.
According to Shah, CRED recently achieved its first profitable quarter and has grown from zero revenue to around $325 million (approximately ₹3,200 crore) in annual revenue. The company has also raised more than $900 million from investors, including Meta, and has completed several employee stock buyback programmes.
- With inputs from agencies
