Professional Overview
Supreet Hegde is the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Astra, an AI-powered sales workflow automation startup based in Bengaluru, India. At Astra, he spearheaded the development of an AI "Chief of Staff" product designed to support Account Executives, positioning the company within the B2B SaaS domain focused on sales automation.
Hegde's career spans over 10 years of experience across B2B SaaS and strategy consulting, with substantial involvement in product development, technology strategy, and go-to-market (GTM) initiatives. His previous professional tenure includes multiple years at HyperVerge, where he contributed to GTM efforts and direct sales functions before concluding his role there after approximately four years.
Educational Background
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
Hegde is an alumnus of IIT Madras, where he completed a B.Tech + M.Tech in Biotechnology. During his time at IIT Madras, he held the position of Cultural Affairs Secretary (Literary) in the Executive Wing, reflecting participation in student leadership and activities.
His academic profile is complemented by recognized skills in Biotechnology, Banking, Financial Analysis, Finance, Corporate Finance, and Financial Mathematics.
- Additional Academic Credentials
Sources mention Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) attendance in 2012, most likely for an executive or certificate program related to business management, as well as early schooling at National Institute of Technology Karnataka and Chaitanya PU College, Sirsi for pre-university education.
Professional Experience and Roles
- Astra (Co-founder & CEO)
At Astra, Supreet oversaw product development and the overall business strategy. Astra marketed itself as an innovative AI SaaS startup with backing from prominent investors, including the founder of Perplexity AI, Aravind Srinivas. The company focused on automating sales workflows by leveraging AI agents to augment sales teams.
Despite significant fundraising and market ambition, Astra ceased operations in mid-2025. The closure was publicly announced by Hegde in various LinkedIn posts and media articles, citing internal co-founder disagreements, particularly with co-founder Ranjan Rajagopalan, regarding growth pace and challenges in winning enterprise clients.
- HyperVerge
Prior to Astra, Hegde held a significant role at HyperVerge for approximately four years, working across multiple go-to-market initiatives including direct sales. His departure was publicly noted in a LinkedIn post in mid-2023.
- YCP Auctus
Early in his career, Hegde worked at YCP Auctus, a strategic planning and transaction advisory firm. This experience contributed to his strategic and financial acumen, supporting his later roles in SaaS leadership.
- Other Roles
He has been actively involved in the Rotaract Club at IIT Madras, indicating engagement in leadership and community involvement during his academic tenure.
Key Achievements and Professional Attributes
- Led product and technology strategy as a co-founder of an AI SaaS startup in a competitive space of sales automation.
- Experienced in scaling GTM strategies, sales operations, and cross-cultural team management.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex startup challenges, making difficult operational decisions such as shutting down Astra amid leadership disputes.
- Broad expertise bridging technology (AI, SaaS, Industrial IoT) and business (strategy consulting, financial analysis).
Recent Developments and Context
- Astra shut down operations in July 2025, with public communications from Supreet Hegde emphasizing that co-founder misalignment over the company’s growth trajectory and enterprise market penetration was a decisive factor. This development reflects challenges in startup execution and founders’ dynamics within early-growth AI SaaS ventures.
- Co-founder Ranjan Rajagopalan has since moved on to new ventures, with Hegde's immediate next professional plans undisclosed as of mid-2025.
Public and Online Presence
- LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/supreet-hegde](https://www.linkedin.com/in/supreet-hegde)
Regularly posts professional updates including company announcements, reflections on startup leadership, and industry insights.
- Recognized for a candid and transparent communication style during Astra’s closure phase, demonstrating leadership accountability.
- Profile references consistent affiliation with AI, SaaS, and B2B technology innovation sectors.
This detailed profile situates Supreet Hegde as a seasoned SaaS and AI startup leader with technical and strategic depth, shaped significantly through his education at IIT Madras and extensive roles in startup environments. His experience closing a well-funded AI SaaS startup underlines his understanding of the complexities in identifying product-market fit and scaling enterprise sales operations amid technological and organizational challenges.
