Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Priya Haji, CEO of Personal Finance Startup SaveUp, Has Died

SaveUp CEO Priya Haji launched several socially minded projects.

SaveUp CEO Priya Haji died on July 14 after suffering what appeared to have been a pulmonary embolism, according to statements from her family and the company.

Haji was a vivacious and creative entrepreneur who launched multiple socially minded projects, including a free health clinic in Texas while in high school and a social service organization in East Palo Alto called Free at Last while in college. Her startup World of Good, which helped woman artisans reach global markets, was acquired by eBay in 2010.

Her most recent company SaveUp rewards users who connect their financial accounts for meeting their savings goals. The company had been working with credit unions as well as advertisers who offered sweepstakes prizes to encourage good personal spending behaviors.

SaveUp, which has $7 million in funding from BlueRun Ventures and True Ventures, won “Best in Show” at the financial tech conference Finovate in May.

Haji, who won the nickname “Firecracker” from her mother after being born on the fourth of July, had just turned 44. She was a single parent of two young children, Zen, 2, and Omi, 11 months. Her family and friends are gathering on a memorial Facebook page.

See Haji in her own words in this series of Makers videos.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

See More:

More in Technology

Politics
The Supreme Court will decide when the police can use your phone to track youThe Supreme Court will decide when the police can use your phone to track you
Politics

Chatrie v. United States asks what limits the Constitution places on the surveillance state in an age of cellphones.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
The simple question that could change your careerThe simple question that could change your career
Future Perfect

Making a difference in the world doesn’t require changing your job.

By Bryan Walsh
Technology
The case for AI realismThe case for AI realism
Technology

AI isn’t going to be the end of the world — no matter what this documentary sometimes argues.

By Shayna Korol
Politics
OpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agendaOpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agenda
Politics

The AI company released a set of highly progressive policy ideas. There’s just one small problem.

By Eric Levitz
Future Perfect
Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.
Future Perfect

Protecting astronauts in space — and maybe even Mars — will help transform health on Earth.

By Shayna Korol
Podcasts
The importance of space toilets, explainedThe importance of space toilets, explained
Podcast
Podcasts

Houston, we have a plumbing problem.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram