Abhishek Malani

I’ve always been driven by curiosity—whether that was building data models for optimal Monopoly play or drafting kickers early in my fantasy football league based on replacement value. That instinct to dive deep and make sense of complex systems stuck with me through college, where I studied economics and computer science and wrote my thesis on demand modeling in NYC’s bike sharing system.

That mindset was born earlier, though. My local high school in Connecticut didn’t offer economics or computer science, so I started teaching myself during summers in India, where I enrolled in school alongside my cousins. That experience of learning for the sake of learning, along with strong bonds with my family, shaped how I approach challenges and relationships today.

After college, I joined Silver Lake, where I worked across sectors—from enterprise software and fintech to fitness and media—and gained exposure to a range of deal structures and business models. It was an incredible foundation, but it made me realize that I wanted to play offense: to meet founders earlier, build trust through candor and help them scale at inflection points.

Now back in New York, I’m excited to help Sequoia deepen its presence here. It’s a city of ambition and momentum—a place where builders move fast, think big and often do things their own way. I feel lucky to partner with them on the journey.

I’m drawn to companies that are navigating an inflection point—where the combination of market timing, product strength and team ambition creates real breakout potential. I look for founders who are deeply obsessed with the problem they’re solving and have the clarity to distill complexity into focus. The best ones seem to combine intensity with humility—willing to run through walls, but open-minded enough to course correct.

Get in touch with Abhishek