Kunal Shah built one of India’s most talked-about fintech startups. Now he’s running WhatsApp.
Meta appointed Shah, the founder of Indian fintech company CRED, as the new global head of WhatsApp on June 22. He replaces Will Cathcart, who led the messaging platform for nearly seven years before transitioning to a new product-building role within Meta.
Shah wasn’t job hunting. Meta’s chief product officer Chris Cox reached out to him in the spring, initially seeking advice on who should lead WhatsApp next. Somewhere between asking for recommendations and evaluating candidates, Cox apparently realized the answer was sitting on the other end of the phone.
From advisor to appointee
Cox contacted Shah after it became clear that Cathcart’s tenure was winding down. What began as a consultative conversation evolved into something far more consequential.
