Sahir Azam is an early-stage and growth investor at Index Ventures. Based in New York City (and traveling regularly to San Francisco and London), he partners with founders building category-defining companies in AI, data, infrastructure, and security.
Over his career, Sahir has built a unique operating career at the intersection of business and technology. He initially discovered his passion for go-to-market at BladeLogic/BMC, moved into product leadership at VMware and SumoLogic, and spent nearly a decade at MongoDB, where as Chief Product Officer he helped scale it into one of New York’s defining tech companies.
A former ice hockey goalie (yes, really) and lifelong technology enthusiast, Sahir embraces many passions outside of work. In his free time, he loves to snowboard, enjoy wine, and travel the world.
What were your early years like?
SAHIR - I grew up in central New Jersey. My father was an engineer at AT&T, and my mother was an English professor, so I had equal exposure to both technology and the humanities.
As a kid, I never fit neatly into one category. My dad would bring home old computers from work, and I’d spend hours tinkering with them. At the same time, I loved playing music — I picked up the guitar early on and it’s still a (rusty) passion today. I also played ice hockey for many years, which taught me resilience and teamwork, though over time music and technology became my deeper outlets.
Looking back, I think that mix shaped who I am today: I’ve always been comfortable connecting with people from different backgrounds and interests. That ability to bridge worlds is more of an inherent trait than something I had to consciously develop.
What were the most valuable lessons you learned during your time at MongoDB?
SAHIR - Leading at MongoDB reinforced two principles that continue to shape how I work — and they’re the same qualities I value most in founders.
The first is resilience. Building a company in a growth market is, by definition, a hard job. You have to be able to push through the inevitable challenges.
The second is adaptability. In a fast-scaling business, your role changes significantly every one to two years. You have to be willing to learn new skills — and be self-aware about which ones you lack and need to develop. That combination is essential for founders looking to build and lead enduring companies.
How do you like to work with founders?
SAHIR - My working style is casual and approachable. I want founders to see me as a true partner in building their company — someone they can call to brainstorm, problem-solve, or riff on ideas outside of the formal boardroom setting.
While my background is in data, AI, and infrastructure, I’ll continue to lean in there. But my broader personal ambition is to grow as an investor and ultimately become a generalist who can spot and support exceptional entrepreneurs across industries and geographies.