Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India) has appointed Puneet Kumar as its new chief executive officer, a move that arrives as investor confidence in India’s startup ecosystem strengthens and attention shifts to sustainable, long-term growth. The leadership change is expected to sharpen the firm’s engagement with founders, co‑investors and the broader venture community.
Experienced technology and growth-stage investor
Kumar joins Mirae Asset Venture India with a substantial track record in technology and growth-stage investing. His appointment is aimed at reinforcing the firm’s investment strategy and deepening operational support for portfolio companies across sectors such as consumer internet, fintech, SaaS, edtech and healthtech.
Track record at Steadview Capital
Before his new role, Kumar was a managing director at Steadview Capital, a global investment firm known for backing high-growth technology companies. Over more than six years at Steadview, he helped build and manage a diversified portfolio spanning public and private markets, participating in investments in several of India’s leading startups.
His responsibilities included sourcing and overseeing private-market investments and working closely with scaled startups and category leaders, giving him hands-on experience in long-term value creation and board-level engagement.
Early-stage experience at Nexus Venture Partners
Earlier in his career, Kumar served as vice president at Nexus Venture Partners, focusing on early- and growth-stage opportunities. There he worked across enterprise software, AI-driven solutions, logistics, mobility, gaming and agritech—areas that complement his later-stage investing exposure.
This combination of early-stage and late-stage investing experience provides Kumar with a balanced perspective on capital allocation, founder support and portfolio construction—an approach aligned with Mirae Asset’s long-horizon investment philosophy.
Mirae Asset Venture India’s scale and strategy
Mirae Asset Venture Investments India currently manages over ₹1,477 crore across two Category II Alternative Investment Funds. Globally, Mirae Asset’s venture and private equity platforms oversee multi‑billion‑dollar allocations across Asia, the United States and other emerging markets, making the group one of the most active investors worldwide.
In India, the firm has been increasing its footprint by backing companies in consumer technology, digital platforms, financial services and enterprise solutions. With Kumar at the helm, the firm is expected to prioritise high‑conviction investments, disciplined capital deployment and closer operational involvement with portfolio companies.
Implications for startups and the VC landscape
Industry observers view Kumar’s appointment as a positive signal for founders seeking experienced, long‑term partners rather than purely transactional capital. His history of working with management teams through multiple growth cycles could strengthen Mirae Asset Venture India’s reputation as a value‑added investor.
As venture capital firms recalibrate strategies amid market volatility, selective investing and operational expertise have become key differentiators. Kumar’s elevation reflects a broader shift toward investor-operators who combine capital with strategic, hands‑on support for companies navigating scale and sustainability challenges.
