Peak XV Partners Navigates Strategic Shakeup: Internal Disagreement Sparks Senior Exits as Firm Doubles Down on AI Focus

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Peak XV Partners Navigates Strategic Shakeup: Internal Disagreement Sparks Senior Exits as Firm Doubles Down on AI Focus

MUMBAI, October 2025 – Peak XV Partners, the prominent venture capital firm managing over $10 billion across India and Southeast Asia, confronts significant leadership changes as three senior partners depart following an internal disagreement, signaling a strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence investments and U.S. market expansion while maintaining India as its core market.

Peak XV Partners Faces Leadership Transition Amid Strategic Shift

Managing Director Shailendra Singh confirmed to Bitcoin World that senior partner Ashish Agrawal’s departure resulted from a mutual decision following internal disagreements. Consequently, partners Ishaan Mittal and Tejeshwi Sharma chose to leave alongside Agrawal. Singh emphasized privacy and professionalism, declining to specify the disagreement’s nature. He stated the firm wanted to move forward respectfully after years of collaboration. Additionally, Singh noted such transitions are common at large, multi-stage venture firms. The departing partners held board seats that would transition “imminently,” with existing overlapping representation ensuring continuity across portfolio companies.

These exits represent substantial institutional knowledge loss. Agrawal spent over 13 years at Peak XV, Mittal more than nine years, and Sharma exceeded seven years. Their LinkedIn profiles detail extensive tenure. During his tenure, Agrawal led investments in fintech, consumer, and software sectors. He notably backed Groww, which achieved a prominent IPO exit in 2025. Agrawal, Mittal, and Sharma collaborated on numerous early- and growth-stage investments, contributing significantly to Peak XV’s portfolio development over the past decade.

Internal Restructuring and Portfolio Performance Context

Simultaneously, Peak XV strengthened its leadership internally. The firm promoted Abhishek Mohan to general partner, expanding its investment leadership bench. Furthermore, Saipriya Sarangan ascended to chief operating officer, overseeing firm-wide operations. These promotions occurred during a standout year for portfolio exits. Five Peak XV portfolio companies—Groww, Pine Labs, Meesho, Wakefit, and Capillary Technologies—went public in November and December 2025.

These exits generated approximately ₹300 billion (around $3.33 billion) in unrealized, mark-to-market gains. Additionally, they produced about ₹28 billion (roughly $310.61 million) in realized gains from share sales during the IPOs. This performance context is crucial for understanding the firm’s current transition phase.

Broader Senior Leadership Changes Across Regions

The recent departures follow broader senior leadership changes over the past twelve months. Last year, long-time investment leaders Harshjit Sethi and Shailesh Lakhani exited the India team. Meanwhile, Abheek Anand and Pieter Kemps departed from Southeast Asia operations. Leadership changes also affected marketing, policy, and operations teams in recent months. Singh dismissed market narratives suggesting partners driving major exits had left the firm. He called this perspective “not statistically true,” arguing several significant outcomes involved remaining long-tenured partners. Singh emphasized that Peak XV’s exit track record doesn’t hinge on any single individual.

Strategic Pivot Toward AI Investment and Global Expansion

Peak XV’s leadership transition coincides with a deliberate strategic shift. The firm, which separated from Sequoia Capital in 2023, now manages over $10 billion across 16 funds. Singh revealed the firm has made approximately 80 AI-linked investments, highlighting its deepening focus on AI funding. Moreover, Peak XV plans to open a U.S. office within the next 90 days, expanding its global footprint. Despite this expansion, the firm continues viewing India as its largest and most important market.

Singh articulated a firm belief that AI will reshape venture investing more profoundly than previous technological shifts. He argued successful AI investing requires investors with deep technical understanding rather than “generalist” experience. Consequently, Peak XV seeks more AI-native talent, including researchers and engineers with machine learning and large-scale model development backgrounds. This strategic direction represents a significant evolution for the venture capital firm.

• AI Investment Thesis: Peak XV believes AI represents a fundamental shift requiring specialized technical expertise.
• Global Footprint: U.S. office expansion complements existing India and Southeast Asia presence.
• Talent Strategy: Actively recruiting researchers and engineers for AI-focused investments.
• Portfolio Construction: 80 existing AI-linked investments form foundation for future focus.

Venture Capital Industry Implications and Trends

Peak XV’s situation reflects broader venture capital industry trends. Many firms are realigning strategies toward AI while managing generational leadership transitions. The departure of partners to launch new funds, as Agrawal, Mittal, and Sharma plan, represents a common venture capital lifecycle pattern. Furthermore, the firm’s emphasis on technical AI expertise mirrors industry-wide recognition that AI investing differs from previous technology cycles. This shift may influence how venture capital firms structure their teams and evaluate opportunities moving forward.

Peak XV’s portfolio includes over 400 companies with more than 35 initial public offerings and several mergers and acquisitions to date. This track record provides substantial foundation for its strategic evolution. The firm’s ability to navigate leadership changes while executing a strategic pivot will test its institutional resilience and adaptability in a competitive venture capital landscape.

Conclusion

Peak XV Partners navigates a significant leadership transition as senior partners depart following internal disagreements, coinciding with the firm’s strategic doubling down on AI investments and U.S. market expansion. The venture capital firm maintains robust portfolio performance with recent successful exits while restructuring internally through promotions. As Peak XV intensifies its AI focus and expands globally, its ability to manage this transition while executing its new strategy will significantly impact its position in the competitive venture capital landscape. The firm’s evolution reflects broader industry shifts toward specialized AI investing and generational leadership changes in venture capital.

FAQs

Q1: Why did senior partners leave Peak XV Partners?
Senior partners Ashish Agrawal, Ishaan Mittal, and Tejeshwi Sharma departed following an internal disagreement with the firm’s leadership, resulting in a mutual decision to part ways, according to Managing Director Shailendra Singh.

Q2: What is Peak XV Partners’ new strategic focus?
The venture capital firm is doubling down on artificial intelligence investments, having made approximately 80 AI-linked investments, while expanding its global footprint with a planned U.S. office opening within 90 days.

Q3: How has Peak XV’s portfolio performed recently?
Five portfolio companies achieved IPOs in late 2025, generating roughly ₹300 billion in unrealized gains and about ₹28 billion in realized gains from share sales during the public offerings.

Q4: Is Peak XV reducing its focus on India?
No, the firm continues to view India as its largest and most important market despite expanding into the United States and deepening its AI investment focus across regions.

Q5: What happens to board seats held by departing partners?
Managing Director Shailendra Singh stated board seats would transition “imminently,” with existing overlapping representation from other general partners and operating partners ensuring continuity across portfolio companies.

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