The Problem We Solve
Karus has built machine learning models that more accurately predict the solvency of an auto borrower. Our data science work clearly shows that:
- Auto lenders have focused on loan level and investment level structure techniques to reduce risk, rather than accurately pricing the borrower.
- At the loan level, lenders use levers like higher APR’s or a reliance on recoveries from the underlying collateral to mitigate risk.
- At the investment level, securitizations and subordinate credit tranches are created to limit risk.
Karus is mitigating risk by truly understanding how the borrower will perform with their auto debt.
Our Products
Karus AI Powered Auto Lending
Karus enables institutions to offer competitive funding on retail auto purchases and refinancings. Through our extensive dealer network, auto borrowers are sourced and scored using Karus’ proprietary machine-learning decisioning tool.
Our credit models, which have been trained on millions of borrowers and vehicles, open up financing opportunities for subprime and nearprime cohorts that have traditionally been disqualified by credit agencies.
For the first time, Karus-powered institutions are able to participate in a newly democratized lending ecosystem that offers unparalleled opportunities for risk-adjusted returns while also benefiting dealers and end borrowers.
The Karus Portal
Back-end Loan Level Analytics and Insights
The Karus portal provides predictive insights for securitizations, private loan pools, and portfolios of new originations funded using Karus ML underwriting.
The Karus portal allows credit investors to track payments, losses, predicted performance, and other key performance metrics for all accounts within a portfolio. Our analytics are updated daily for real time portfolio analysis.
Interactive Showcase
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About Us
Meet Our Team
Rana Thatishetti
Senior Data Scientist
Matthew Gomies
Senior Data Scientist
Our Advisors
Gerrit Graham
Gerritt is a growth executive with over 20 years of experience building GTM strategy, efficient sales engines and RevOps platforms for early stage companies with disruptive data driven technology. Gerritt has a focus in Financial Services and Insurance and has led sales and marketing teams for organizations such as Oracle, Thomson Reuters, GLG, Kurtosys and Corvus Insurance Holdings. Currently he leads all growth strategy for Encamp, a disruptive player in the Regtech space. In addition to his involvement with Karus, he is on the Advisory Board of BIA and active as an Executive Member of the Revenue Collective.
Keri Findley
Since 2017, Ms. Findley has lent funds to leading venture-backed businesses via a unique model she developed. Prior to her work with venture-backed businesses, Ms. Findley was a partner at Third Point LLC, an SEC- registered investment advisor founded by Daniel S. Loeb, with approximately $15.0 billion of assets under management. Ms. Findley joined Third Point LLC in 2009 and focused on distressed investments including distressed financial securities and mortgage securities. Ms. Findley was previously at D.B. Zwirn. Ms. Findley earned a BS in Operations Research from Columbia University.
Arturo Aguilar
Arturo Aguilar is owner and CEO of Auto One Acceptance, a Texas regulated consumer lender for subprime auto customers since 2011, and co-Founder of Gear, a high tech fresh produce grower in Mexico for the US and Canada markets. He started up, acquired, expanded, and sold a micro-loan operation in Mexico with over 200 locations and 480,000+ customers. He has also worked for McKinsey & Co. He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from UIA in Mexico City, and received his MBA and MPA from Harvard. He has been a college lecturer on entrepreneurship at ITAM and UIA in Mexico.
Ponder Harrison
Mr. Harrison is a private investor focused on middle market industrial and service businesses. He enjoyed a 35-year career as a recognized Travel and Technology Industry entrepreneur having helped start several successful low-cost commercial airlines in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Harrison co-founded Allegiant Travel Company in 2002, remaining active in the business through 2017. In 1999, Mr. Harrison co-founded Virtual Premise, Inc., a leading SaaS provider of commercial real estate information management solutions, where he served as Chairman and CEO until its acquisition by CoStar Group, Inc. Mr. Harrison serves on the board of directors of Allegiant Travel Company and the Parkinson’s Foundation. He is also a Senior Advisor to both Comvest Partners and Franklin Resources’ Industrial Technology Fund.
Ryan Davis
Ryan Davis is a private investor focused on early stage companies building marketplace and automotive industry businesses. Ryan previously was the co-founder of BacklotCars, an online wholesale marketplace for car dealers, which was sold to KAR global (NYSE: KAR). Prior to BacklotCars Ryan was a sell-side/buy-side equity analyst focused on the business and IT services space. Ryan has a bachelor's degree in Finance from the College of Charleston.
Ross Weiner
Ross Weiner is the General Counsel and a Partner at Qatalyst Partners where he has worked since 2012. Prior to Qatalyst, Ross worked at Silver Lake Credit Fund, Credit Suisse, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison and at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. Ross is originally from Washington, D.C. and received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He currently is on the Board of Trustees at Glide, an Executive Advisory Board to the Berkeley Center for Law and Business and the Advisory Board of Higher Ground Labs.
Our Investors
StageDotO
Early stage venture capital firm with expertise in operational excellence and strategic growth.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
For nearly six decades, Wilson Sonsini has represented the technology pioneers associated with virtually every milestone innovation.