Bessemer Venture Partners Ropes in Pankaj Mitra to Drive AI and Enterprise Tech Bets in India

California-based venture capital firm Bessemer Venture Partners India appointed Pankaj Mitra to lead its focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and enterprise technology. According to The Economic Times, this strategic move has been made to deepen its investments in the country’s growing tech ecosystem.

Mitra, a well-known name in the Indian startup space, will take charge of Bessemer’s enterprise tech and AI investments. His addition to the leadership team marks a significant shift in the firm’s strategy as it doubles down on innovation-led companies in India.

Mitra said, “I am thrilled to join Bessemer at this pivotal time. The ongoing AI platform shift offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for builders to usher in the next wave of tech evolution across industries.”

Bessemer doubles down on India’s growing startup ecosystem

With India emerging as a global hub for innovation, Bessemer’s focus on Indian startup funding is becoming increasingly visible. The firm has already backed several high-potential ventures in sectors like SaaS, healthcare, and fintech. Now, with a clear spotlight on enterprise tech and AI, Bessemer aims to partner with next-generation founders solving complex business problems.

The appointment of Pankaj Mitra to Bessemer comes at a time when startups across India are rapidly adopting AI-driven tools and cloud solutions to improve productivity, scalability, and customer experience. His expertise is expected to help the firm identify founders building for long-term success in both domestic and global markets.

Pankaj Mitra brings deep industry experience

Before joining Bessemer, Pankaj Mitra was Managing Partner at Zephyr Peacock and previously held leadership roles at Cisco and Reliance. He was also instrumental in setting up the venture investment arm at the Tata Group. His experience spans over two decades, particularly in nurturing early-stage startups in enterprise, deep tech, and B2B SaaS.

Pankaj Mitra’s VC appointment is seen as a strong signal of Bessemer’s long-term commitment to the Indian tech space. Industry experts believe his understanding of both corporate and startup dynamics makes him a strong asset for the fund as it navigates India’s evolving startup landscape.

Betting big on enterprise tech and AI in India

India’s enterprise-tech segment has grown rapidly, thanks to increasing digital transformation across sectors. As cloud adoption rises and AI tools become more accessible, startups are building tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Enterprise tech funding in India is expected to grow significantly, especially as large enterprises look to modernize their operations. With Mitra onboard, Bessemer plans to scout early and growth-stage startups working on core technologies like cybersecurity, workflow automation, AI-based analytics, and vertical SaaS.

The move also comes at a time when global VCs are showing renewed interest in India’s AI ecosystem. As AI capabilities evolve, Indian startups are attracting attention not just for local solutions but also for their ability to build globally scalable platforms.

A new chapter for Bessemer in India

With over $20 billion in assets under management globally, Bessemer Venture Partners India is positioning itself as a key player in the country’s innovation story. By tapping into India’s deep talent pool and tech-first mindset, the firm is set to play a larger role in shaping the future of enterprise and AI-led startups.

Mitra’s entry into Bessemer marks the beginning of what could be a transformative phase for the firm and the broader Indian startup ecosystem.