In recent times, several startups have secured significant funding rounds led by Peak XV Partners, formerly known as Sequoia India and Southeast Asia.
These investments underscore Peak XV’s commitment to fostering innovation across various sectors, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech.
OrbitShift’s $7 Million Seed Funding
In June 2024, OrbitShift, an AI-driven sales intelligence startup, raised $7 million in a seed funding round. The investment was led by Peak XV Partners’ Surge scale-up program and Stellaris Venture Partners. Founded in 2022, OrbitShift offers a platform designed to enhance the sales ecosystem for technology and IT services companies.
The company leverages purpose-built models and large language models to provide comprehensive solutions across pre-sales, sales operations, and marketing insights. The newly acquired funds are intended to expand OrbitShift’s customer base in the United States and invest in its technology and product teams to broaden its offerings.
Ambak’s $7 Million Seed and Pre-Series A Funding
In January 2025, Ambak, a fintech platform specializing in home loan solutions, secured $7 million in seed and pre-Series A funding. The round was led by Peak XV Partners, with additional contributions from Advantedge VC, DeVC, and angel investors.
Founded in January 2024 by executives from Policybazaar, Paisabazaar, Freecharge, and CarDekho, Ambak aims to address inefficiencies in the home loan sector, which is often criticized for its complexity and opacity.
In its first year, the company served over 15,000 customers, partnered with more than 50 lenders, and forged an agreement with the Delhi Development Authority to assist an additional 35,000 clients. The new funding will enable Ambak to expand to 35 cities, target $1 billion in loan disbursements by FY26, and serve 100,000 customers annually.
Ethereal Machines’ $7.3 Million Funding
In July 2023, Bengaluru-based Ethereal Machines, an engineering hardware startup, raised $7.3 million in a funding round. The investment was led by Peak XV Partners’ Surge, Blume Ventures, and several angel investors.
The company plans to utilize the capital to build factories across India for manufacturing essential precision engineering components. This initiative aligns with the government’s “Make in India” campaign, which encourages domestic manufacturing and innovation.
Peak XV Partners’ Focus on AI Investments
Peak XV Partners has demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in AI startups. The firm has allocated approximately ₹16,000 crore (around $2 billion) for investments in AI-focused companies.
Recent investments include a $10.5 million funding round in AI health startup Cloudphysician and a $7 million round in AI-powered sales-intelligence startup OrbitShift.
Additionally, Peak XV participated in a $105 million round for data collaboration software startup Atlan. This strategic focus highlights Peak XV’s dedication to supporting the growth of AI technologies and their applications across various industries.
Global Expansion and Industry Reach
Peak XV Partners’ role as a lead investor extends beyond just financial backing; it also provides invaluable support for startups to expand globally.
As demonstrated by the investments in OrbitShift and Ambak, Peak XV’s focus is not just on scaling up operations but also on facilitating the international reach of its portfolio companies. OrbitShift, for instance, intends to expand its customer base in the United States, while Ambak is looking to spread its home loan platform across 35 cities in India.
This global expansion is crucial for startups seeking to tap into larger markets, ensuring their solutions and services can scale efficiently and meet international demand. With Peak XV’s global network and expertise, these startups are better positioned to thrive in the competitive global marketplace.
Fostering Technological Innovation through Surge
The Surge scale-up program by Peak XV Partners is central to its investment strategy, specifically designed to foster technological innovation. Through Surge, the firm has helped launch and scale some of the most promising startups in India and Southeast Asia.
The program supports early-stage companies by providing them with mentorship, resources, and capital to accelerate their growth. By identifying and nurturing companies in sectors such as AI, fintech, and hardware engineering, Peak XV is ensuring that these startups have the tools and expertise they need to bring transformative technologies to market.
The support provided by Surge goes beyond mere financial assistance, offering these companies a comprehensive ecosystem that fosters innovation at every stage of their growth.
These additions further emphasize Peak XV Partners’ strategic approach to nurturing high-potential startups through global expansion and innovative support programs like Surge.
Strategic Impact on India’s Startup Ecosystem
Peak XV Partners has significantly contributed to shaping the startup ecosystem in India, a country that has seen rapid growth in entrepreneurial ventures in recent years.
By leading major funding rounds and supporting high-impact sectors such as AI, fintech, and engineering, Peak XV plays a crucial role in bolstering India’s position as a global hub for innovation.
Their investments in companies like Ambak and OrbitShift not only fuel the growth of these startups but also promote the development of key industries within the Indian economy.
This, in turn, supports job creation, technological advancement, and the expansion of India’s digital economy. Peak XV’s strategic investments are paving the way for India to become a more prominent player in the global startup and tech landscape.
Wrapping Up
The substantial investments led by Peak XV Partners in startups like OrbitShift, Ambak, and Ethereal Machines underscore the firm’s strategic focus on nurturing innovation in AI and fintech sectors.
These funding rounds not only provide the necessary capital for these startups to scale their operations but also reflect the growing investor interest in technologies that are poised to transform industries and improve consumer experiences.
FAQs
Q: What is Peak XV Partners?
A: Peak XV Partners, formerly known as Sequoia Capital India & Southeast Asia, is a leading venture capital and growth investing firm operating across India, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The firm focuses on sectors such as consumer products and services, technology, fintech, SaaS, commerce, consumer internet, digital entertainment, marketplace, education tech, mobility, and health tech.
Q: Why did Sequoia Capital India & SEA rebrand to Peak XV Partners?
A: The rebranding to Peak XV Partners reflects the firm’s commitment to supporting exceptional founders and signifies the relentless pursuit of excellence, akin to the challenges faced in scaling Mount Everest, previously known as Peak XV.
Q: What is the Peak XV Anchor Fund?
A: The Peak XV Anchor Fund is a permanent capital vehicle established by Peak XV Partners. Unlike traditional venture capital funds with fixed tenures, this fund operates as a permanent capital vehicle, allowing the firm to invest across various opportunities, including public market companies and venture funds in different regions. The fund is backed by the firm’s internal pool of capital, enabling partners and senior leaders to invest in a wider set of opportunities.
Q: How does Peak XV Partners support its portfolio companies?
A: Beyond financial investment, Peak XV Partners offers comprehensive support to its portfolio companies through a team of over 60 operators. These professionals assist in areas such as human capital, strategic development, marketing, public policy, portfolio finance, and technology & product development. The firm partners with companies at various stages, from early-stage startups to those preparing for public offerings.
Q: What are Surge and Spark programs?
A: Surge and Spark are startup programs initiated by Peak XV Partners to support early-stage companies. Surge is a four-month fellowship program that includes regular check-ins with investment advisors and mentorship from industry experts, startup founders, and Peak XV specialists across various domains. Spark is a similar program designed to provide tailored support to founders, though specific details may vary.
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