Kriti Gupta, a Vice President at Peak XV Partners, has announced her departure from the venture capital firm after a five-year tenure. Her exit is the latest in a series of high-profile leadership changes that have reshaped the firm over the past two years. This transition highlights an ongoing evolution at one of India's most prominent investment houses.
Confirmation of the Transition
Both Gupta and Peak XV Partners have confirmed the development, characterizing it as a mutual decision. Gupta stated that after an incredible five years, she has decided to move on and will be taking some time off before her next career step. A spokesperson for Peak XV thanked her for her contributions and wished her success in her future endeavors.
Gupta initially joined the firm in 2021 when it was still operating as Sequoia Capital, prior to its 2023 rebranding as Peak XV Partners. During her time there, she concentrated on early-stage investments, with a particular focus on the consumer sector. Her expertise contributed to shaping the firm's portfolio in a key area of the startup ecosystem.
A Broader Trend of Leadership Changes
This departure is not an isolated event but part of a significant leadership reshuffle at the venture capital giant. Approximately six months ago, the firm parted ways with three of its Managing Directors: Ashish Agrawal, Ishaan Mittal, and Tejeshwi Sharma. Their exits marked a notable shift in the firm's senior management structure and investment team composition.
Following their departure from Peak XV, the trio of former MDs co-founded a new venture capital firm named Mettle Capital. The new entity is currently in the process of raising its maiden fund, with a target corpus between $350 million and $400 million. This move reflects a growing trend of seasoned investors spinning out to launch their own specialized funds.
In response to the earlier leadership changes, Peak XV promoted from within to fortify its senior team. The firm elevated Abhishek Mohan to the role of General Partner and appointed Saipriya Sarangan as its new Chief Operating Officer. These appointments were framed as a strategic move to enhance capabilities in an era of AI-driven innovation.
New Ventures and Firm Resilience
The leadership churn extends beyond the most recent departures, with several other senior figures leaving over the past two years. This list includes prominent names such as Shailesh Lakhani, Harshjit Sethi, and Abheek Anand, among others. This pattern indicates a period of significant transition and renewal for the investment firm's top ranks.
Similar to their peers, former Peak XV Managing Directors Lakhani and Sethi have also embarked on a new entrepreneurial journey. They have partnered with former Vice President Mayank Porwal to launch Ambition Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm. The new fund is targeting a corpus of $250 million to invest in promising startups.
Despite the continuous leadership evolution, Peak XV Partners has demonstrated remarkable financial resilience and market strength. The firm was a major beneficiary of the 2025 startup IPO wave, generating over ₹2,480 crore in liquidity from successful exits in companies like Groww and Pine Labs. This performance underscores its continued ability to identify and nurture high-growth companies amid internal restructuring.
Source: Inc42