Shraeyansh Thakur, an investor at Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA), has stepped down after nearly a decade at the venture capital firm. His departure marks another high-profile exit, following a series of leadership changes at the firm. According to reports, Thakur is likely to launch his own venture soon.
During his tenure at Peak XV, Thakur played a key role in several high-profile investments and served as a board member or observer for notable startups, including Atlys, Meesho, Cars24, Unacademy, and Zetwerk. His deep involvement in the growth of these companies provided him with first-hand exposure to India’s evolving startup ecosystem.
Announcing his exit in a LinkedIn post, Thakur stated, “After an incredible 9+ years at Peak XV / Sequoia India, I have decided to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey. The next 10 years are going to be India’s golden digital decade, and our founders now have true belief to create the world’s best companies from India.” His transition from investor to entrepreneur reflects a growing trend of VC professionals venturing into the startup world.
Thakur’s exit follows a series of departures from Peak XV. Last month, managing partners Shailesh Lakhani and Abheek Anand, both long-serving executives, stepped down after over a decade with the firm. Previously, Anandamoy Roychowdhary, a partner at Peak XV’s Surge accelerator, and Managing Director Piyush Gupta had also left, with Gupta later launching his secondary-focused fund, Kenro Capital.
Meanwhile, Peak XV has welcomed back Rishen Kapoor, co-founder and former CEO of SaaS startup Toplyne, which recently shut down. Kapoor had previously been part of the firm before launching Toplyne and now returns amid its strategic transitions.
Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia Capital India, has been undergoing structural shifts. In 2023, Sequoia Capital split its India, US, and China operations, rebranding its India and Southeast Asia entity as Peak XV Partners to better align with regional investment strategies.
In 2023, the firm also reduced its USD 2.85 billion fund by 16%, citing high valuations in the Indian public markets as a factor in its decision to adopt a more measured approach to growth-stage investments. It continues to focus on seed and venture-stage opportunities while adjusting its fund management fees to industry-standard levels.
Thakur’s move is expected to be closely watched, as he joins a growing list of VC professionals transitioning into entrepreneurship. His extensive experience in scaling startups and navigating the Indian investment landscape positions him well for his next venture. Meanwhile, Peak XV’s restructuring and investment recalibrations highlight a shifting dynamic in India’s venture capital ecosystem, balancing caution with continued early-stage investments.