Emerging Leaders 2025: Sudarshan Pareek, CE Ventures

Starting his career in energy infrastructure investing, Sudarshan Pareek moved into venture capital in 2017, when UAE-based conglomerate Crescent Enterprises launched CE Ventures. 

Pareek led CE Ventures’ first investment, a fresh meat and seafood ecommerce business called FreshtoHome. Since then, he has spearheaded investments in companies such as precision medicine innovator Endeavor BioMedicines, last-mile logistics platform Transcorp, casual gaming platform MPL and blockchain interoperability protocol LayerZero. 

Under his leadership, the unit has adopted a disciplined approach to venture investing, resisting the temptation to follow market hype. “Being based in the UAE, away from the Silicon Valley hype, gave us the space to think critically and act deliberately. That perspective helped our portfolio weather market turbulence and perform strongly,” he says.  

“Think twice before jumping into something just because it is trendy. Do not be driven by the noise around a certain type of investment,” he advises newcomers to corporate VC. “A measured and analytical approach will always serve you well in the long run.”  

Pareek is deeply invested in the growth of the UAE’s startup ecosystem, particularly in fostering deeptech startups. He is also enthusiastic about AI’s transformative role in optimising utilities and infrastructure, a passion rooted in his energy sector background.  

“Sudarshan’s ability to build trust-based relationships with founders and management teams enables him to guide ventures through challenging phases, significantly contributing to their success,” says Tushar Singhvi, deputy CEO and head of investments at Crescent Enterprises. “What truly sets him apart is his talent for balancing risk and reward, making him a driving force behind the success of CE Ventures. He is a visionary leader who understands market dynamics, emerging technologies and competitive landscapes.”  

See the full list of Emerging Leaders 2025 here.