Peak XV AI investing is entering a new chapter—one marked by senior leadership exits and a sharper strategic focus on artificial intelligence. Peak XV Partners, one of the most influential venture capital firms in India and Southeast Asia, has confirmed a fresh round of partner departures tied to internal disagreements, even as it intensifies its AI-first investment thesis and prepares to expand into the U.S.
The exits follow a mutual decision to part ways with senior partner Ashish Agrawal, Managing Director Shailendra Singh told TechCrunch. Two other long-time partners—Ishaan Mittal and Tejeshwi Sharma—chose to leave alongside him.
Internal Disagreement, Not Strategic Drift
Singh declined to share details of the disagreement, emphasizing discretion and forward momentum. He described the exits as a natural outcome at large, multi-stage VC firms after long working relationships.
“All board seats held by the departing partners will be transitioned imminently,” Singh said, adding that Peak XV Partners already maintains overlapping representation across many portfolio companies and sees no continuity risk.
The three departing partners were among the firm’s longest-tenured investors, with Agrawal spending over 13 years at Peak XV, Mittal more than nine, and Sharma over seven.
Founders Turn Founders Again
Agrawal later confirmed in a LinkedIn post that he, Mittal, and Sharma plan to launch a new venture capital firm, calling the move an “entrepreneurial plunge.” He credited Peak XV’s leadership for what he described as a “truly wonderful partnership.”
During his tenure, Agrawal led investments across fintech, consumer, and SaaS sectors, including Groww, one of Peak XV’s most prominent IPO exits in 2025.
Peak XV Strengthens Leadership Bench
Even as senior investors exited, Peak XV Partners moved quickly to reinforce leadership internally. The firm promoted Abhishek Mohan to general partner and elevated Saipriya Sarangan to chief operating officer, overseeing firm-wide operations.
The leadership reshuffle comes during a standout exit cycle. Five Peak XV-backed companies—Groww, Pine Labs, Meesho, Wakefit, and Capillary Technologies—went public in late 2025, generating roughly ₹300 billion ($3.33 billion) in unrealized gains and ₹28 billion ($310 million) in realized proceeds.
AI at the Core of Peak XV’s Future
Singh dismissed market chatter suggesting Peak XV’s best exits were driven by partners who have now left, calling the narrative “not statistically true.” He emphasized that Peak XV’s performance has always been institutional, not individual-driven.
That philosophy underpins Peak XV AI investing, which Singh says will reshape venture capital more profoundly than previous tech cycles.
The firm has made around 80 AI-linked investments so far and manages over $10 billion across 16 funds after splitting from Sequoia Capital in 2023. Peak XV plans to open a U.S. office within 90 days, while continuing to treat India as its most important market.
“Successful AI investing requires deep technical understanding,” Singh said, noting the firm plans to hire more AI-native talent, including machine learning researchers and engineers.
A Period of Churn, Not Retreat
Over the past year, Peak XV has also seen departures across India and Southeast Asia teams, including Harshjit Sethi, Shailesh Lakhani, Abheek Anand, and Pieter Kemps. Singh framed the churn as evolution, not instability, pointing to the firm’s 400+ investments, 35 IPOs, and multiple M&A outcomes to date.
For now, Peak XV AI investing remains the firm’s defining bet—one it believes will determine the next generation of venture outcomes.
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