Fireside Ventures Co-Founder Vinay Singh to Step Down After Nearly a Decade

Vinay Singh, co-founder and partner at consumer-focused venture capital firm Fireside Ventures, is stepping down after nearly 10 years with the company.

The Bengaluru-based investment firm confirmed his departure, saying that Singh would transition out of the organisation. Fireside has not announced a successor.

Singh plans to focus on exploring agentic commerce and understanding how artificial intelligence (AI) could change the way consumers discover, choose and purchase products.

In a statement, he said that AI is transforming commerce faster than many had anticipated. He now wants to spend more time examining how agentic commerce could shape the future of consumption. He also expressed gratitude to the Fireside team, founders and limited partners who supported the firm during his tenure.

## From Corporate Roles to Building a Venture Capital Firm

An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, Singh has close to two decades of professional experience.

Before entering the venture capital ecosystem, he worked with companies including Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Bankbazaar. He also co-founded Stepni, a car-servicing platform that was later acquired by Quikr.

In 2017, Singh joined hands with Kanwaljit Singh, Kannan Sitaram and Dipanjan Basu to establish Fireside Ventures.

Over the years, the firm has built a strong presence in India's consumer startup ecosystem, backing businesses across sectors such as beauty and personal care, food and beverages, wellness and lifestyle.

## Fireside Ventures' Growing Portfolio and Assets

Fireside Ventures has grown into one of India's prominent consumer-focused venture capital firms. It has invested in more than 65 startups and manages over $650 Mn in assets under management (AUM) across four funds.

The firm closed its fourth fund at approximately $253 Mn in December 2025, adding to its investment capacity.

Fireside's team currently includes 12 principals and vice presidents, supporting its investment activities and portfolio companies.

Singh's exit marks a leadership transition for the firm as it continues to manage its portfolio and deploy capital across India's consumer businesses.

## Senior-Level Exits Continue Across India's VC Ecosystem

Singh's departure comes amid a broader wave of senior investment professionals leaving established venture capital firms to explore independent opportunities.

Earlier in 2026, Ashish Agrawal, Ishaan Mittal and Tejeshwi Sharma left Peak XV Partners to launch their own investment firm, Mettle Capital.

In March, Anjana Sasidharan, partner and co-head of India investments at private equity firm L Catterton, also stepped down to establish Asthrum Capital.

Meanwhile, former Peak XV executives Shailesh Lakhani, Harshjit Sethi and Mayank Porwal launched Ambition Capital and are reportedly looking to raise $250 Mn for their first fund.

These developments point to changing career priorities among experienced investors. As India's venture capital industry matures and funds become larger, some senior professionals are choosing to build independent investment platforms or explore emerging opportunities beyond traditional venture investing.

For Singh, the next chapter will centre on agentic commerce and the potential impact of AI on consumer behaviour. His departure also marks the end of a nearly decade-long association with a firm he helped build into a major player in India's consumer startup landscape.