2024 Year in Review | who’s in, who’s out: the biggest executive moves in Indian tech & startup sector

Indian tech startups saw a wave of CEO changes in 2024. More than a dozen chief executives across new-age technology startups moved into new roles in 2024 in the top-level churn triggered by business restructuring, initial public offering (IPO) plans, and a broader push for profitability across companies. Flipkart, Swiggy, DealShare, Tata Digital, and others appointed new CEOs. The fintech and edtech sectors also experienced leadership shuffles. Paytm Money, PhonePe, and Byju’s all had CEO transitions. These changes reflect a focus on growth and profitability in the evolving tech landscape.

Some of the most notable movements included Amitesh Jha, who led marketplace and categories at Flipkart moved to Swiggy Instamart as its CEO, replacing cofounder Phani Kishan Addepalli. Addepalli, who previously led Swiggy’s quick commerce arm, now oversees the company’s central growth team, including initiatives such as the subscription service Swiggy One. Jha, who had a 14-year stint with Flipkart, was a part of a string of top leaders to have exited the Walmart-owned etailer this year.

“We had more top-level executive movements in 2024 compared to 2023. Also, external CEO hiring has been more in 2024 compared to 2023. There is a growth-oriented thinking that is coming out from companies,” Anshuman Das, CEO of Longhouse Consulting, told ET.

The operating metrics have changed, and companies have realised that money is available for more meaningful, profitable growth, with CEOs being brought in to drive this fresh thinking, Das added.

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