Global venture capital firm Accel has announced the promotion of two of its key principals, Rachit Parekh and Pratik Agarwal, to the role of partner in its India office. This strategic move, effective as of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, underscores Accel’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team from within and its continued focus on the burgeoning Indian startup ecosystem.
Both Parekh and Agarwal have been integral members of the Accel India team since joining in 2019. Over the past six years, they have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in identifying promising investment opportunities, nurturing strong relationships with founders, and providing crucial support to Accel’s diverse portfolio companies. Their elevation to partner recognizes their significant contributions and their deep understanding of the Indian venture capital landscape.
Rachit Parekh has been particularly focused on growth-stage investments at Accel. His expertise has been evident in his participation in significant funding rounds for prominent startups such as Niyo (Series C), Amagi (Series D and Series E), and the food delivery giant Swiggy (Series J). His insights into scaling businesses and navigating the complexities of later-stage funding will be invaluable in his new role as partner.
Pratik Agarwal’s focus has been primarily on early-stage investments, up to Series A. He currently serves on the board of several promising startups, including Credgenics, Fashinza, Citymall, Spyne, and Nymble. His deep understanding of the early-stage ecosystem and his ability to identify and support disruptive innovations will be critical as Accel continues to back nascent startups with high growth potential.
In a statement released on social media platform X, Accel expressed its pride in these promotions, highlighting that “With their elevation, our partnership grows stronger—broader in perspective, deeper in insight, and more attuned to the future we’re building together.” 1 This sentiment reflects Accel’s belief in fostering talent within the organization and leveraging the experience of individuals who have a proven track record with the firm.
This strengthening of the leadership team comes at a significant time for Accel in India. Earlier this year, the firm announced its eighth India-focused fund, securing a substantial $650 million to invest in category-defining startups from the seed stage through to scale. This fund, the largest among the 23 VC funds launched for Indian startups in the first quarter of 2025, signals Accel’s bullish outlook on the Indian startup ecosystem and its commitment to providing long-term capital and support to ambitious founders.
Accel has a long and successful history of investing in India, having been one of the earliest institutional backers of several of the country’s most successful companies, including Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, Zetwerk, and BlackBuck. The promotion of Parekh and Agarwal further solidifies Accel’s position as a leading venture capital firm in the region, equipped with a strong leadership team to identify and nurture the next generation of Indian tech giants.
The firm has also been proactive in creating resources and initiatives to support the growth of the startup ecosystem. Their open-source platform, SeedToScale, provides valuable insights and knowledge from successful founders and industry leaders. Additionally, their early-stage scaling program, Accel Atoms, has supported numerous startups in their initial growth phases.
With Rachit Parekh and Pratik Agarwal now in their roles as partners, Accel is well-positioned to continue its mission of identifying and supporting visionary founders building for India and the world, bringing their hands-on approach, deep sector knowledge, and long-term commitment to every partnership.
Summary:
- Accel has promoted Rachit Parekh and Pratik Agarwal to partner in its India office.
- Both Parekh and Agarwal joined Accel in 2019 and have played crucial roles in investment sourcing and portfolio support.
- Parekh focused on growth-stage investments, while Agarwal focused on early-stage ventures.
- These promotions come as Accel recently raised $650 million for its eighth India-focused fund, highlighting its strong commitment to the Indian startup ecosystem.
- Accel has a successful track record in India, backing companies like Flipkart, Freshworks, and Swiggy.