Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India), the venture capital arm of global financial services major Mirae Asset, has appointed Puneet Kumar as its new Chief Executive Officer. The leadership change comes at a crucial time when India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing renewed investor confidence, sectoral consolidation, and a growing focus on sustainable growth.
Puneet Kumar takes over the CEO role with a strong reputation in India’s technology and growth-stage investment space. His appointment is expected to strengthen Mirae Asset Venture India’s investment strategy and deepen its engagement with founders, co-investors, and the broader venture capital ecosystem.
Strong Investment Track Record at Steadview Capital
Before joining Mirae Asset Venture India, Puneet Kumar served as Managing Director at Steadview Capital, a global investment firm known for backing high-growth technology companies. During his six-plus years at Steadview, Kumar was instrumental in building and managing a diverse portfolio spanning both public and private markets.
Under his leadership, Steadview’s private investments included some of India’s most well-known startups across consumer internet, fintech, SaaS, edtech, healthtech, and new-age commerce. His experience working closely with scaled startups and category leaders has positioned him as a seasoned investor with a deep understanding of long-term value creation.
Early-Stage Experience at Nexus Venture Partners
Prior to Steadview Capital, Kumar was Vice President at Nexus Venture Partners, where he focused on early and growth-stage investments. During this phase, he worked across sectors such as enterprise software, AI-led solutions, logistics, mobility, gaming, and agritech.
This blend of early-stage and late-stage investing experience gives Kumar a balanced perspective on capital allocation, founder support, and portfolio building—an approach that aligns well with Mirae Asset’s long-term investment philosophy.
Mirae Asset Venture India’s Expanding Ambitions
Mirae Asset Venture Investments India currently manages over ₹1,477 crore in assets through two Category II Alternative Investment Funds. Globally, Mirae Asset’s venture and private equity platforms manage billions of dollars across Asia, the US, and emerging markets, making it one of the most active investment groups worldwide.
In India, the firm has steadily expanded its presence by backing companies in consumer technology, digital platforms, financial services, and enterprise solutions. With Puneet Kumar stepping in as CEO, Mirae Asset Venture India is expected to sharpen its focus on high-conviction bets, disciplined capital deployment, and deeper operational involvement with portfolio companies.
What This Appointment Means for Indian Startups
Industry observers see Kumar’s appointment as a positive signal for Indian founders seeking experienced, long-term partners rather than short-term capital. His background of working closely with founders through multiple growth cycles could help Mirae Asset Venture India strengthen its reputation as a value-added investor.
At a time when venture capital firms are recalibrating strategies amid market volatility, leadership experience and selective investing have become critical. Puneet Kumar’s move reflects the growing demand for investor-operators who understand both market cycles and founder realities.
Overall, this leadership transition underlines Mirae Asset’s continued commitment to India’s startup ecosystem and highlights how seasoned investment professionals are playing a key role in shaping the next phase of venture capital growth in the country.