Kunal Gupta

• Role: CEO & cofounder, WithFriends
• Background: Babycastles cofounder, YC alum
• Location: NYC / SF (prefers in-person, YC-influenced)
• Contact: Discord, email

Relationship

Panat worked with Kunal as a contract engineer on WithFriends (March 2026). Contract ended 2026-03-31. Explored cofounder path but decided against it — different work styles and priorities.

Relevant context

• WithFriends serves indie bookstores with membership/events SaaS (~73 bookstores, ~$13.8K/mo revenue as of March 2026)
• Kunal saw early Guild screenshots (2026-03-24) and encouraged the work — no IP objection raised
• Said “absolutely” when Panat shared Guild source with Phil at Victory Point (2026-03-25)
• Pre-agreement pitch at Pittsburgh dinner (2026-02-25) establishes idea provenance — Carrie present as witness, Kunal’s Limitless Pendant recorded the conversation
• Contract includes 12-month invention disclosure obligation post-termination

Disposition

Goal is amicable relationship post-exit. Kunal operates in adjacent space (indie retail memberships) and could be an ally or referral source. Avoid adversarial framing unless he initiates.