AI startup 11x is entering a new chapter as founder Hasan Sukkar officially steps down as CEO. In a LinkedIn announcement yesterday, Sukkar shared that CTO Prabhav Jain will now lead the company as its new CEO.
Sukkar isn’t leaving the company entirely. He’ll continue to contribute as the non-executive chairman, focusing on strategy, product direction, and expanding market opportunities. “I’ll support 11x in every way I can,” Sukkar wrote, signaling continued dedication to the company’s future.
Leadership Change Signals New Growth Phase
Sukkar explained his decision by reflecting on his strengths as a founder. “I’ve realized that my passion lies in building from scratch,” he noted. While he deeply believes in the 11x mission, he feels the time is right to hand over the leadership baton. “Sometimes, loving your company means knowing when to pass the CEO baton,” he added.
The leadership change follows a turbulent period for the company. Back in March, 11x was under scrutiny after it was revealed that its website showcased logos of companies that were not actual customers. One of those companies even threatened legal action. Additional reports mentioned product performance issues and challenges in customer retention. Some former employees also described the work environment as intense and exhausting.
Despite past controversies, 11x continues to attract strong investor support. The company has raised over $70 million in total, including a $24 million Series A led by Benchmark’s Sarah Tavel and a $50 million Series B from Andreessen Horowitz.
When criticism surfaced earlier this year, both Joe Schmidt of a16z and Tavel took to X (formerly Twitter) to show public support. Schmidt praised the team, product, and metrics as “world-class.” Tavel echoed this sentiment, noting her confidence in the company’s direction as a board member.
Interestingly, Tavel also recently announced her transition to a venture partner role at Benchmark, stepping back from her general partner responsibilities.
11x Eyes Platform Expansion Under New CEO
According to a company spokesperson, the leadership shift marks a strategic pivot. “This move reflects 11x’s growth,” they wrote. “The company has evolved from a single-product firm to a platform serving hundreds of the world’s top go-to-market teams.”
New CEO Prabhav Jain, a former Brex executive and three-time founder, now leads the next stage of 11x’s growth. With Sukkar providing guidance behind the scenes, the startup aims to scale and strengthen its position in the competitive AI landscape.
Benchmark and a16z have yet to issue additional comments on the transition.
