Hasan Sukkar, the founder of AI startup 11x, is stepping away from the CEO role. He announced the move in a LinkedIn post, revealing that CTO Prabhav Jain is now taking the reins as the new 11x CEO.
Sukkar isn’t leaving the company entirely. He’s shifting into a non-executive chairman role. In this position, he’ll focus on long-term strategy, product direction, and expanding industry connections. He said he’ll support Jain however he can in shaping 11x’s future.
“I’ve realized I love building from scratch—it’s what I’m best at,” Sukkar shared. “But part of loving your company is knowing when to hand off leadership.”
This leadership change comes after a bumpy ride for 11x. Earlier this year, the company faced criticism for showcasing logos of companies that weren’t active customers. One of those companies even considered legal action. At the same time, insiders revealed issues with product reliability and customer retention. Some employees also described the company as an intense and demanding place to work.
Despite the concerns, investors remain confident. 11x has raised over $70 million to date. Benchmark led the $24 million Series A, while Andreessen Horowitz led the $50 million Series B.
In March, Joe Schmidt of a16z posted support on X. He praised the 11x team, product, and performance. Sarah Tavel from Benchmark echoed the sentiment, saying she’s seen strong progress. While she recently transitioned into a venture partner role, her belief in the company hasn’t changed.
The company’s statement positioned the move as a natural step. Jain, formerly at Brex and a three-time founder, will now lead the next phase of growth. “Over the last year, 11x has evolved into a full platform that supports hundreds of top go-to-market teams,” a spokesperson said.
Jain’s track record in scaling startups may prove crucial. As 11x moves beyond its early challenges, the hope is to turn its promise into sustained momentum. Sukkar, now in a strategic role, will continue supporting this vision—but the day-to-day is now in Jain’s hands.
