### Departure of Alex Cook from Tiger Global
Alex Cook, a partner at Tiger Global, is leaving the firm after nearly seven years, according to sources familiar with the matter. While Cook has informed several individuals about his departure, he has not provided a reason for his decision. The departure of Cook adds to a series of high-profile exits at Tiger Global, including Scott Shleifer and John Curtius. Tiger Global, a prominent investment firm, has not yet commented on Cook’s departure.
### Cook’s Contributions to Fintech Deals
During his time at Tiger Global, Cook played a significant role in numerous fintech investments. Some of the notable deals he anchored include TradingView, TrueLayer, Scalapay, Xendit, Selfbook, Fazz, Jar, and Refyne. These deals had a median size of approximately $35 million, with a median valuation exceeding $250 million. Cook’s departure has surprised some founders who had frequent interactions with him, as he was known to speak with founders multiple times a week. Additionally, Cook took over the management of relationships with certain portfolio startups that were previously overseen by Scott Shleifer.
### Focus on Emerging Markets, Particularly India
One area where Cook’s influence extended significantly was emerging markets, with a particular focus on India. He frequently visited the country and met with founders in person. In fact, in July 2022, Cook informed founders in Bengaluru, India, that Tiger Global was planning to reduce its pace of investments. This highlights Cook’s commitment to exploring opportunities in India and his understanding of the region’s potential for growth.
### Challenging Times for Tiger Global
Cook’s departure comes at a challenging time for Tiger Global. The firm recently raised $2.2 billion for its latest venture capital fund, which is its smallest fundraising effort in a decade. This is in stark contrast to previous years when Tiger Global experienced robust investor demand, allowing them to raise larger funds, including a record $12.7 billion fund. The current fundraising climate is characterized by investor caution towards VC and private equity investments, as there has been a decline in valuations and a slowdown in deals.
### Leadership Changes at Tiger Global
In November, Tiger Global announced a significant leadership change with founder Chase Coleman taking on the role of venture chief from Scott Shleifer. Coleman has now assumed responsibility for managing relationships with key portfolio startups globally. This change in leadership reflects Tiger Global’s strategic moves to navigate the challenging fundraising climate and maintain its position as a leading investment firm.
Overall, Alex Cook’s departure from Tiger Global marks another major change within the firm. Despite the challenges in the current investment landscape, Tiger Global continues to adapt and seek opportunities in emerging markets, with a renewed focus on managing key portfolio startups under the leadership of Chase Coleman.