Bengaluru-based AI startup Sarvam AI has appointed Sashikumar Sreedharan, former Managing Director of Google Cloud India, as its President and Chief Business Officer (CBO). He will also join the company’s board of directors as Sarvam looks to strengthen its enterprise business, expand government partnerships and scale its AI operations.
The appointment comes as the company seeks to accelerate the commercial adoption of its artificial intelligence models and products across businesses and public institutions.
Sreedharan to Lead Enterprise and Government Business
In his new role, Sreedharan will oversee Sarvam’s business across enterprise and government customers while expanding the company’s engagement with digital-native businesses, developers and technology partners.
His responsibilities will also include marketing, finance, Forward Deployed Engineering, service delivery and commercial operations. His appointment is expected to strengthen the company’s leadership as it moves towards its next phase of business expansion.
Sreedharan brings more than three decades of experience in the technology industry, having held senior leadership positions across major technology companies.
Extensive Experience at Google Cloud and Microsoft
Before joining Sarvam, Sreedharan served as Managing Director for India at Google Cloud. He joined Google Cloud in September 2023 as Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific and was subsequently appointed to lead its India business in July 2025.
Prior to Google, he spent more than five years as Managing Director of Microsoft’s enterprise commercial business in India, from 2018 to 2023.
His professional experience also includes leadership positions at Happiest Minds Technologies, SAP and IBM. He served as CEO and Managing Director of Happiest Minds Technologies between 2015 and 2018.
His experience in enterprise technology, cloud services and business development is expected to support Sarvam’s efforts to deepen relationships with large organisations and government institutions.
More Than 100 Enterprises and Government Institutions Using Sarvam
Sarvam said more than 100 enterprises and government institutions are currently building with its full-stack AI offering.
The company develops artificial intelligence models and products across language, speech, vision and document processing, with a focus on building AI capabilities in India.
Its customer and industry partnerships include organisations such as SBI Life, LIC, IDFC, Tata Capital and CRED.
Sarvam has also been selected under the government’s IndiaAI Mission to develop a foundational AI model. Its broader strategy focuses on developing AI systems that can serve Indian languages, businesses and public-sector requirements.
Focus on Enterprise-Owned Artificial Intelligence
Sarvam has reiterated its focus on an enterprise-owned AI model, in which organisations retain control over their data, models and AI agents rather than relying entirely on external systems.
The company believes this approach can help businesses maintain control over sensitive information while retaining the value generated through AI adoption.
Sreedharan said joining Sarvam was a commitment to India’s opportunity to become a developer of the intelligence powering industries worldwide. He expressed his intention to work with the company’s team and customers to build products that become part of how businesses and governments operate.
Funding and Expansion Plans
Sarvam became a unicorn after raising $234 million in the first close of its Series B funding round in June 2026, at a post-money valuation of $1.5 billion. HCLTech led the round as a strategic investor, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners and existing investors Khosla Ventures and Peak XV Partners.
The company has outlined its next phase around advancing AI research, developing products for international markets and building an organisation capable of operating at a significantly larger scale.
Sreedharan’s appointment marks an important leadership addition as Sarvam works to translate its AI research and technology capabilities into wider enterprise and government adoption.
Disclaimer: This report has been editorially prepared using publicly available information and official company disclosures. Readers are advised to refer to official company announcements and disclosures for further details.
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