Melissa Frakman is CEO & Founding Partner of Emphasis Ventures (EMVC), a global early-stage venture capital firm investing in the future of fintech and commerce that is both in and inspired by India innovation. EMVC is a trusted partner to India's local fintech ecosystem as well as leadership of financial services and internet companies around the world, with portfolio companies including Jar, Slice, Khatabook, Bureau, Flash, Clinikk, Tartan, and Monnai. With over a decade in India, Frakman has led Asia investments, new market strategy, and partnerships worth over $1 billion for Fortune 500 companies and top pension funds, including building products in digital banking, payments, and insurtech.
Previously, Frakman was Vice President of Zomato prior to its landmark IPO, India Senior Director at Albright Stonebridge Group, Financial Services Director of the US-India Business Council, and program manager with early microfinance institutions. She has been a product advisor to companies including Amazon, Uber, Principal Financial, and Remitly (IPO 2021) and served as guest lecturer on fintech at Harvard Business School, Cornell, and Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore. Frakman is a recipient of the FT Innovation Asia Awards, Colin Powell Leadership Fellowship, Ward Medal for Economics, Global Women in Fintech Powerlist, and mentor to Techstars and the Government of India's Atal Innovation Mission. She has been featured in the Washington Post, Financial Times, Forbes, Times of India and the New York Times
