Kintsugi Welcomes Chirag Patel to Board of Directors

We’re thrilled to announce that Chirag Patel, Chief Strategy Officer at Vertex Inc., has joined the Kintsugi Board of Directors.

Chirag brings more than three decades of experience leading, scaling, and innovating in enterprise SaaS, financial technology, and corporate venture capital. His background as a multi-time CEO, venture investor, and strategy executive makes him a powerful addition to our board as we enter our next phase of growth.

A Proven Leader in Strategy and Innovation

At Vertex Inc., Chirag leads global strategy, corporate development, and innovation initiatives, helping shape the company’s long-term trajectory. Prior to joining Vertex, he built and led EY Foundry, EY’s corporate venturing unit responsible for launching new digital businesses in financial services, tax, and human capital.

Chirag has a distinguished track record identifying market opportunities, building technology ventures from the ground up, and aligning large enterprises with emerging trends. Over his career, he has held CEO roles across companies in SaaS, healthcare, wealth management, and media—and guided startups and global corporations through transformation and growth.

Deep Expertise in Fintech and Venture-Backed Growth

As Managing Director of Highnote Foundry, Chirag has spent over 17 years funding and scaling startups in partnership with Fortune 1000 companies. His work has consistently centered around unlocking innovation in heavily regulated and rapidly evolving industries, including healthcare and financial services—making his insights invaluable to the future of tax automation.

In addition to his leadership roles, Chirag is an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University, where he teaches corporate venture capital and innovation, reflecting his commitment to shaping the next generation of strategic thinkers.

A Shared Vision for Modernizing Sales Tax

“Chirag’s career has been built around driving innovation inside legacy industries—a mission that mirrors our own,” said Pujun Bhatnagar, CEO and co-founder of Kintsugi. “His experience scaling businesses and navigating complex regulatory markets will help guide our product strategy and partnerships as we continue redefining how companies handle sales tax.”

Chirag also shared his enthusiasm for the role:

Please join us in welcoming Chirag to the Kintsugi board. We look forward to the strategic insights and leadership he’ll bring as we grow.