Azra Kanji is a seasoned private equity veteran with over two decades of experience and appointments to about a dozen corporate boards. But before her most recent endeavor, she wasn’t a major player in the industry. That changed in 2023 when the relatively unknown financier left Arby Partners to start Astira Capital Partners. Just five months after the firm’s launch, Kanji closed her debut fund at an unheard-of $675 million, surpassing their already-ambitious $500 million target.
The Boston-based private equity firm invests in tech-enabled B2B businesses and has committed to providing $50 million to $200 million per investment.
Beyond the impressive oversubscription on her debut fund, Kanji expresses her excitement about the firm’s nine-member team, highlighting the inclusion of four other women and the diverse backgrounds offered by herself and other members. Kanji has voiced her enthusiasm for the burgeoning private equity trend of investing more in company culture and unique perspectives. It will be fascinating to see what comes next for Kanji and her team.
