As investors, we coach our CEOs to invest in high-performance teams. Given the choice between feeling like a family or feeling like a championship team, the answer is almost always the latter. For the past 14 years, I had the good fortune of not having to make that choice, as I always felt both. This past week marks my last at JMI Equity, a place I will always think of as home, amidst an incredible group of people I will always view as family. While making this decision came with clarity, the last few weeks were filled with feelings of relief, sadness, pride, and many others. Above all, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity I’ve enjoyed to partner with some of the best software companies out there. More importantly, gratitude for an incredible role that allowed me to meet and collaborate with so many wonderful people. A few thank you's: Mallory – they don’t exactly clarify all the stuff between sickness and health, but you’ve been by my side for all of it. Thank you for your unconditional love and unwavering partnership. To my family – arriving here without your support would have been impossible. Thanks for having my back & pushing me to follow my heart. Harry – you took a chance on me in 2009 and taught me to be commercial. Thank you for always leading from the front, pushing us to hustle, & approaching the job with humility and respect for the teams we partner with. Peter – you’ve worn many hats for me – partner, coach, advocate & mentor. You treat all people not only how you want to be treated, but even better. It's a quality I hope to always emulate. Matt – we’ve spent more hours together on the road than either of us would want to admit. I’ve learned more from you than from anyone. Whether we won or lost, we had fun competing together. I am excited for many years of friendship ahead. To my JMI partners and teammates – great teams come with a feeling of fulfillment as you compete alongside folks you respect and trust. JMI is one of those great teams. Thank you for always pushing me to play to win. To my CEO & Company partners – as investors, we enjoy the privilege to advise on, but not do the operational work. Thank you for your hard work, patience & sacrifice – and for warmly welcoming me into the conversation. What’s next? I never thought I’d be able to comfortably (and happily) say this – I don’t know. While it’s scary and foreign in some sense, it’s also energizing and humbling. For the next several months, I’m excited to fill my calendar with lunch dates with my wife, Taylor Swift dance parties with my kids, and learning new dishes that expand my kitchen repertoire beyond quesadillas. My wife always reminds me that I’m terrible at goodbyes. So I won’t start now – this is merely a see you later. Thank you to all of you who have supported, encouraged & challenged me over the years, both professionally and personally. I am so excited to continue our friendships for years to come.
Congrats and Enjoy time with the fam Sureel
Sureel! Congrats on your new chapter - can’t wait to hear about what’s next … in the meantime - enjoy!!!! ❤️
Congrats Sureel Sheth, you've no doubt left a great impact on the teams and companies that you helped over the years. I'm certainly better for having met you. Learning how to invest in our families is the most important work we'll do. Good for you to prioritize that and excited to watch your journey ahead. Be well my friend.
Very happy for you Sureel Sheth. Congratulations on taking on the next chapter! Excited to see what’s next for you.
Congrats on everything friend! Enjoy the time off and rest! 😊
Congrats, Sureel! Excited to see what’s next for you and the whole Sheth fam
Sureel, What can be said that hasn't already been said. The outpouring of support and goodwill here is testament to the impact you've had on so many peoples lives. So appreciative of your support and counsel over the years and very grateful for our friendship, which I look forward to continuing for many years to come.
Everything you do, you do well. I have no doubt that the same principle will apply in whatever the next chapter holds for you. Grateful for our friendship and partnership.
Congrats, Sureel. It’s been great getting to know you the past few years. I’ve always had a great deal of admiration for your empathy and desire to really get to know the person on other side of the table. Those qualities not only had that made you a great investor, but a truly kind person. Best of luck with whatever comes next and enjoy each of these seasons of life with the family.