What Starlight does

Starlight (legal entity Starlight Ventures Corporation, Delaware) is a venture-backed fintech founded in 2023 that operates a cloud-based, AI-powered benefits navigation platform connecting credit union members and other consumers to unclaimed federal, state, and local government assistance programs. The platform ingests structured member data (income, household size, zip code, life context) and uses a recommendation engine to identify eligible benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, childcare subsidies, housing assistance, and tax credits, then provides step-by-step application guidance. The architecture supports white-label deployment (branded as Metro Assistance Portal, BridgeUP, Pathways Resource Connector, and similar at partner credit unions), embedded integrations with third-party data sources (Dollar For hospital charity care database, Steady income-intelligence), and SOC 2 Type II-compliant infrastructure across all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington DC.

The company monetizes through annual subscription contracts with credit unions, priced quote-based on institution size and member base, with implementation support and no-code integration typically completed in 8 days to 2 weeks. Go-to-market is a B2B2C channel-driven motion combining direct enterprise field sales to credit unions, a channel partner relationship with CUCollaborate (access to 300 credit unions), and integrations with fintech platforms (Steady) and nonprofit financial empowerment organizations (Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners). The company reports reaching 7M+ members across 30 states, $15M+ in member benefits unlocked in 2025, and 15+ credit union partnerships signed during 2025.

Starlight is led by Founder & CEO Shreenath Regunathan and Co-Founder Catherine Xu, backed by Caffeinated Capital, Commerce Ventures, TruStage Ventures, Garuda Ventures, Hustle Fund, Looking Glass Capital, Outside VC, and mission-driven angels including The Workers Lab and Robin Hood Foundation. In November 2025, the company formed a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) following a strategic investment from One Washington Financial (WSECU subsidiary), structurally aligning credit unions as both customers and equity stakeholders in product development. Headcount remains at 1-10 employees as of the latest data, and total disclosed funding is approximately $1.2M.

Name

Starlight

Legal name

Starlight Ventures Corporation

Website

https://get-starlight.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Starlight is a venture-backed fintech that operates an AI-powered benefits navigation platform embedded in credit union digital banking, matching low-to-moderate income members to unclaimed federal, state, and local government assistance programs through white-label deployments and partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Benefits Navigation Software for Financial Institutions

NAICS

Credit Unions (522130), Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (5223), Social Assistance (624), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Functions Related To Depository Banking, Nec (6099)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Banking & Neobank Platforms (BPAMAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underbanked/Financial Inclusion Neobanks (FSABAFAJ), Risk, Compliance & Controls for Embedded Finance (KYB/KYC/AML, Fraud, Disputes) (FSAGALAK)

Keywords

• Benefits navigation platform
• Government benefits access
• Credit union fintech
• AI eligibility matching
• Financial wellness software

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Subscription to Credit Unions: Credit unions pay a subscription fee to embed Starlight's benefit navigation platform within their digital banking experience. The platform helps credit unions engage low-income members, qualify for low-income designation, reduce lending risk, and improve NPS. Implementation is quick (8 days to 2 weeks) with no IT requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Starlight operates an AI-powered, white-label benefits navigation platform that credit unions and financial institutions embed within their digital banking experiences to identify members eligible for federal, state, and local government assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, childcare, utilities, housing, tax credits) and guide them through the application process. The platform is delivered as a subscription SaaS product with no-code integration (typical deployment in 8 days to 2 weeks) and reaches end users through partner-branded portals such as Metro Assistance Portal, BridgeUP, and Pathways Resource Connector.

Product overview

Starlight is a unified benefits navigation platform for credit unions that helps members access government assistance programs. The core Starlight Platform uses AI to match members with eligible benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, rental support, utility programs, and tax credits. Add-on modules like the Dollar For medical debt integration extend the platform's capabilities. Credit unions can white-label the platform under their own brands (e.g., Metro Assistance Portal, BridgeUP, Pathways Resource Connector). The platform integrates directly into credit union digital banking experiences to proactively reach members with relevant assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Starlight Platform AI-powered benefits navigation platform that connects credit union and financial institution members with government assistance programs they qualify for (SNAP, Medicaid, childcare, rental support, utility programs, tax credits). Provides step-by-step application guidance, hyper-local resource database, and is white-labeled for each partner.
• Dollar For Integration Embedded medical debt relief module that brings Dollar For's national database of hospital financial assistance policies and application guidance directly into the Starlight platform, allowing credit union members to check charity care eligibility and apply for hospital bill assistance.
• Metro Assistance Portal (M.A.P.) White-labeled version of the Starlight platform deployed by Metro Credit Union (the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts). Connects members to benefits including SNAP, utility assistance, and rental support programs, branded under Metro's identity.
• BridgeUP White-labeled three-part email outreach program deployed by Rockland Federal Credit Union and powered by Starlight, connecting members to savings and support programs such as SNAP, Medicare Savings Programs, and utility assistance.
• Pathways Resource Connector White-labeled deployment of the Starlight platform by St. Louis Community Credit Union that helps members discover and apply for government and nonprofit assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Quantifiable outcome

• $15M+ in total member benefits unlocked in 2025
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dollar ForcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Partnership with nonprofit that has eliminated over $121 million in medical debt. Dollar For's national database of hospital financial assistance policies and application guidance embedded within Starlight platform. Helps credit union members access free or discounted hospital care through charity care programs hospitals are legally required to offer.
• CUCollaboratecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 February 2026Strategic partnership with leading credit union consulting firm specializing in data analytics and strategic planning. CUCollaborate's network of 300 credit unions will provide Starlight access to help members access SNAP benefits, childcare assistance, utility support, tax credits, and more. Sam Brownell, Founder and CEO of CUCollaborate, serves as strategic advisor to Starlight's CUSO, bringing deep credit union expertise and decision-maker connections.
• SteadycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with leading consumer app empowering gig workers. Uses Steady's income-intelligence technology to identify households likely eligible for benefits, then provides individualized support in navigating government benefits end-to-end. 91% of Steady members eligible for savings via benefits; 2x average engagement rates; average $1,148/year/member in projected savings.
• Neighborhood Trust Financial PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with financial services innovator making financial security possible for all workers. Initial pilot focused on helping clients access the Affordable Connectivity Program. Clients reported saving $1,200 on internet bills. Starlight provides technology platform while Neighborhood Trust financial coaches guide clients through government application processes.
• St. Louis Community Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeployment of Starlight under name Pathways Resource Connector. Over 275 members discovered $4.1 million in annual benefits ($15,000 average per member) in year one. Starlight recognized at SLCCU's Annual Impact Report Launch for contribution to St. Louis' community impact in 2025.
• Metro Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts. Deployed as Metro Assistance Portal (M.A.P.). Connected members to $2M+ in benefits during employee pilot, government shutdown response, and member pilot. 45.3% open rate on outreach during government shutdown. Full rollout to all members in Q1 2026.
• GHS Federal Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor$229 million credit union serving over 20,000 members in New York's Broome, Chenango, and Tioga counties. Low-Income Designated credit union using Starlight to help members access SNAP, utilities, childcare, and other benefits through AI-powered platform.
• South Bay Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia credit union expanding financial support programs for Los Angeles South Bay community. Members gain access to Starlight's white-labeled technology platform for accessing over $140 billion in unclaimed benefits. Members discover average of $1,000 per year in household benefits.
• Rockland Federal Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeployed BridgeUP, powered by Starlight. Three-part email campaign connected members to SNAP, Medicare Savings Programs, and utility assistance. Achieved 103K+ unique email opens, 55% average open rate, 20% conversion rate, 399 members actively engaging.
• I AM Federal Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew York credit union serving frontline healthcare workers. Put $13,000+ in members' pockets through utility assistance alone. Members eligible for over $2M annually in total financial relief. 40+% email open rates.
• 1st University Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnlocked $500K+ in annual benefits for members. 56% qualified for Waco Down Payment Assistance, 40% eligible for SNAP, 36% eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit and ACA subsidies. Won 2025 Tekkie Award for People Helping People. Live in 2 weeks with no IT required.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• BALANCE Financial Fitness: BALANCE provides financial education, counseling, and resources often distributed through credit unions and employers. Adjacent to Starlight in serving LMI households with financial wellness tools via institutional partners.
• Zogo: Zogo delivers gamified financial education to credit unions, banks, and fintechs. Comparable buyer base (CUs/financial institutions) and embedded distribution model, though focused on education rather than benefits navigation.
• Banzai: Banzai offers financial literacy content and interactive tools sold to credit unions and banks for member education. Overlaps with Starlight's CU-focused, member-wellness positioning though narrower in financial education vs. benefits navigation.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: GreenPath is a long-established financial counseling and debt management provider that partners with credit unions to serve members. Overlaps with Starlight on the financial wellness mission for LMI consumers distributed through credit unions.
• Candidly: Candidly provides student loan repayment and financial wellness benefits embedded in employer and credit union platforms. Directly comparable to Starlight's model of embedding benefit navigation tools within credit union digital experiences for LMI members.
• Finivi: Finivi (formerly InVite Health) provides member benefits, wellness programs, and engagement tools specifically for credit unions. Closely aligned with Starlight's credit-union-embedded benefits model serving LMI members.
• Money Tool Kit: Money Tool Kit delivers financial wellness and education tools specifically designed for credit unions and community banks. Comparable to Starlight in targeting the same CU buyer with embedded member-wellness technology.

Emerging players

• Steady: Steady is a gig-worker income and benefits platform and is already a Starlight partner. Comparable in identifying and unlocking benefits for non-traditional income earners, though Steady is more consumer-direct while Starlight is B2B2C.

Broad incumbents

• Chime: Chime is a large neobank serving tens of millions of underbanked Americans and is featured on Starlight's partner site. A broad incumbent that could plausibly build competing benefits-navigation features given its scale and existing member relationships.
• Dave: Dave is a public financial wellness app offering budgeting, advances, and side-income features to underbanked consumers. Broad incumbent with overlapping financial inclusion mission and substantially larger direct consumer reach than Starlight.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starlight