Pawan Gupta, the cofounder and CEO of Accel-backed B2B fashion supply chain startup Fashinza, has stepped down to explore opportunities in the artificial intelligence sector, marking a key leadership transition as the startup pivots toward manufacturing.
- Gupta leaves to pursue AI startup opportunities.
- Fashinza shifts focus from tech to manufacturing.
- Startup targets ₹250 Cr revenue with profitability in FY27.
What happened
Pawan Gupta, cofounder and CEO of Fashinza, has officially stepped down from his role to focus on starting a new venture in artificial intelligence. His decision comes after a growing passion for AI technology and its long-term impact. After becoming non-operational in 2025, Gupta formally exited in December that year.
Fashinza’s current CEO Abhishek Sharma confirmed that Gupta’s resignation was driven by personal and professional interests, not by any business performance issues. The company had already been evolving from an AI-enabled supply chain platform into a more manufacturing- and operations-heavy business, reducing alignment with Gupta’s software-focused ambitions.
Why it matters
Gupta’s move underscores a broader trend of leaders pivoting towards AI-driven innovation, a sector anticipated to define the next two decades. His departure also highlights Fashinza’s significant strategic shift away from pure technology services to building a manufacturing-centric marketplace with factory integration.
Despite challenges such as a revenue dip and global market slowdowns, Fashinza reached operational profitability by the end of FY26 and is planning an expansion in Europe and India. This transition represents the company's adaptive approach to the post-Covid fashion market environment, positioning it for sustainable growth.
What to watch next
Gupta is currently exploring areas such as healthcare, ecommerce enablement, logistics, and marketing within the AI space, with plans to build from India while targeting international markets, especially the US. The exact focus of his new startup remains undecided but is expected to leverage his experience in technology and operations.
For Fashinza, FY27 goals include achieving ₹250 crore in revenue and moving fully into profitability. The company’s diversification beyond the US market to include Europe and India revenue streams will be critical, alongside maintaining its estimated 36-month runway without immediate plans for fresh equity funding.