BOSTON–Astira Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on business and professional services companies, has appointed Manoj Kothiyal as Partner and Head of AI, expanding its efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into the operations and growth strategies of its portfolio companies.
In his new role, Kothiyal will oversee the firm’s applied AI initiatives, working with portfolio company founders and management teams to develop technology-driven capabilities aimed at improving service delivery, operational efficiency and customer experience.
The appointment reflects Astira’s strategy to use artificial intelligence to transform specialized professional services businesses and strengthen their long-term competitiveness.
“We are at an inflection point for specialist services. Applied AI is changing what customers can expect, how expertise can be delivered and where enduring value will be created,” said Azra Kanji, Founder & Managing Partner of Astira. “This is a strategic shift for the sector we invest in. Manoj brings the experience to help us see its full potential and work with management teams to build companies that set a higher standard for their customers.”
Kothiyal brings experience in artificial intelligence, digital transformation and enterprise strategy, having held senior leadership positions at global consulting and technology companies.
Before joining Astira, he served as Chief Business Officer and Global Head of AI at LTM, formerly LTIMindtree, where he was involved in the company’s AI strategy and business initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Kothiyal was a Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), working across the firm’s Consumer and Operations practices. He also helped expand internal AI development capabilities at BCG X, including work involving proprietary AI products such as SNOW AI.
His background includes developing enterprise AI strategies, building AI-powered products and helping organizations integrate emerging technologies into their business operations.
“Applied AI presents the opportunity to rethink service delivery,” said Chris Ritchie, Partner at Astira. “The businesses that convey deep subject-matter expertise to customers with greater consistency, reach and responsiveness can deliver a fundamentally better experience. Across our portfolio, Manoj will work with management teams to pursue that opportunity, with a focus on delivering stronger service models, higher quality and durable growth.”
At Astira, Kothiyal will focus on identifying opportunities for AI adoption across the firm’s investments, particularly in businesses that rely heavily on specialized knowledge, professional expertise and customer relationships.
The firm expects AI technologies to play an increasingly important role in improving how these companies deliver services, manage operations and respond to changing customer expectations.
“Applied AI is opening a new era for specialist services, one in which a firm’s deepest expertise can be available in more of the moments that matter to customers,” said Kothiyal. “It gives professionals more room to exercise the judgment and build the relationships that set great companies apart. At Astira, I see an opportunity to help management teams make these capabilities central to their businesses and create lasting value for customers.”
Astira said the appointment builds on its existing AI initiatives across its investment and portfolio management teams.
The firm plans to work with individual portfolio companies to develop AI strategies suited to their operations and business models, with an emphasis on improving service quality, expanding capabilities and supporting sustainable growth.
