Amish Desai

Amish joined Lightspeed’s growth private equity team in 2024. In that post, he partners with founders and executive teams looking for the next stages of growth, and for long-term partnerships to create meaningful value together. He focuses on building Lightspeed’s buyouts strategy in leading software and technology businesses.

“When thinking about what I wanted to do with my career, growth private equity lined up with a desire to partner with management teams and unlock enduring value,” Amish says.

Previously, Amish built and scaled the tech-focused buyout practice at Elliott Management, where he closed over $20bn in transactions across the enterprise software, services and media spaces. Before that, he worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company where he saw how operational rigor could give companies flexibility even when they’re at different stages of growth.

Amish’s upbringing played a key role in shaping his personal and professional paths. Growing up in the Detroit suburbs during the global financial crisis, Amish saw how economic hardships harmed nearby neighborhoods as auto factories eventually shut down and erased local jobs. But Amish also witnessed a revitalization in Southeast Michigan in the following years when the investment cycle built the foundation for economic change—giving him a close-up view into how capital can spur real progress. Growing up in the Midwest didn’t just seed an interest in what would ultimately drive Amish’s career decisions, but also the values he hopes to bring to work every day – hard work, grit, and treating people the way you want to be treated, with genuine kindness and mutual respect.

“Growing up with parents who immigrated to the US in the ‘70s with next to nothing and established their own businesses, a daily emphasis was placed on focusing on what was in your control and putting your head down to do the hard work,’’ Amish says.

In his free time, Amish loves to explore new cuisines, wines and restaurants, and enjoys running, playing golf and tennis. He holds a bachelor of business administration from the University of Michigan.