On a Quest for Financial Inclusion

Misha Esipov is a testament to resilience and ambition, having immigrated to the U.S. from Russia with his parents at the age of three. This early journey shaped his vision to create opportunities for others, leading him to co-found Nova Credit, the world’s foremost cross-border consumer reporting agency. Under Misha's leadership, Nova has developed a global network of credit bureaus, empowering consumers to transport their financial identities seamlessly as they navigate new horizons.

As CEO, Misha is at the forefront of Nova's mission to “power a fair and inclusive financial system for the world.” His strategic direction has propelled the company to become one of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic fintech firms, backed by prestigious investors like Kleiner Perkins, Index, General Catalyst, First Round Capital, and Y Combinator, and recognized as a Forbes Top 50 Fintech.

Before launching Nova, Misha honed his financial acumen as a private equity investor at Apollo Global Management, a $250 billion global alternative asset manager. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he played a critical role in executing over $10 billion in corporate financing, mergers, and acquisitions.

Misha holds an MBA from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science from New York University. With a vision grounded in his own immigrant experience, he is dedicated to fostering financial access and inclusion for all.