Team

CEO

Murali Barathi, founder of Krea, brings extensive experience in strategizing and leading organizations through change and growth. He specializes in helping start-ups and mid-market companies make successful exits and grow through acquisitions. Murali excels in uncovering opportunities, de-risking businesses, identifying the right buyers, structuring deals, and maximizing sale proceeds. He has an engineering degree and a Master’s in International Relations from Tufts University. Murali is a CEPA-certified Exit Planning Advisor. His breadth of expertise and professional approach make him a trusted partner for his clients.

M&A Analyst

Pawansai supports end-to-end execution of both sell-side and buy-side M&A mandates across industrial and manufacturing sectors. He builds detailed financial models, prepares CIMs, and conducts valuation work through rigorous financial analysis and market benchmarking. Working closely with business owners, he helps shape strategic positioning and manages buyer engagement from initial outreach through diligence. His experience spans DCF analysis, market comparables, precedent transactions, and scenario modeling, supported by strong analytical skills and data-driven research.

In addition to execution, Pawansai designs and runs targeted deal-sourcing campaigns to generate qualified buyer interest. At KREA, he ensures deal materials are accurate, processes are well organized, and timelines are efficiently managed. His workflow capabilities include CRM-supported process optimization and cross-functional coordination. His industry exposure covers industrial manufacturing, test and measurement equipment, lighting, hydraulics, and industrial distribution.

M&A Analyst

Ashika is an M&A Analyst at KREA Business Advisory Services, where she supports both buy-side and sell-side engagements for founder-led businesses. She plays a key role in managing outbound campaigns, preparing deal materials and due diligence documentation, conducting valuations, and supporting end-to-end deal execution. Leveraging her skills in financial modeling, data analysis, and workflow automation, she helps enhance operational efficiency and improve internal processes. She also contributes to KREA’s content strategy and social media initiatives.

Ashika holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Pittsburgh. Her background across finance, analytics, and fintech enables her to bring a data-driven perspective to KREA’s advisory work.

M&A Analyst Intern

Joey Zhang is a finance student and early-stage founder who brings strong analytical skills, disciplined execution, and a practical understanding of what it feels like to build a business from the ground up. At Krea Business Advisory Services, he supports deal sourcing, financial analysis, and valuation work for founder-led and lower-middle-market companies. Joey is currently studying Finance and Economics at the University of Toronto, where he has developed a solid foundation in corporate finance, valuation, and data driven decision making. His blend of startup experience, quantitative training, and interest in AI-powered tools enables him to add meaningful value to both deal execution and founder relationships.

M&A Analyst Intern

Nemo Rong brings strong experience in building lead-generation systems and developing high-efficiency prospecting workflows. He specializes in creating automated pipelines, refining outreach strategies, and identifying high-value opportunities across competitive markets. Nemo excels at integrating data tools, managing cross-platform workflows, and improving conversion efficiency through scalable, structured acquisition processes. He is currently studying Electrical and Computer Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics at the University of Washington, with a concentration in nanotechnology and semiconductor systems which strengthen his analytical perspective. His combination of quantitative training, emerging technical insight, and business execution makes him a reliable partner for teams looking to enhance their pipeline and drive consistent growth.

M&A Analyst Intern

Geoff Guo brings a mix of finance, data, and execution-focused experience to every project he takes on. At Krea Business Advisory Services, he supports M&A mandates for founder-led and mid-market companies by drafting confidential information memoranda (CIMs), building buyer lists, qualifying and scoring leads, and running outbound outreach campaigns. Geoff is currently studying Statistics and Economics at the University of Toronto, giving him a strong quantitative foundation for modeling and data-driven decision making. His blend of analytical rigor, market insight, and deal support makes him a valuable partner for business owners preparing for growth or exit.