Nikesh Arora advises daughter Ayesha Arora-Hughes on new AI venture fund

Some parents help their kids move apartments. Nikesh Arora is helping his daughter raise a venture fund. The CEO and chairman of Palo Alto Networks is advising Ayesha Arora-Hughes as she launches an early-stage venture capital fund. She is aiming to raise more than $100 million, with AI as the main focus. The Information reported the news on October 20, 2026. What Ayesha Arora-Hughes is building The fund is designed to back companies at the earliest stages of their lives. Her target is over $100 million. No limited partner commitments or specific portfolio companies have been disclosed so far. Arora-Hughes graduated from Northeastern University in 2021. She has worked at Brex and Airbnb. She also spent time at S32, the venture firm, where she served as a Partner or Venture Partner. Her work there included early-stage investing in AI and cybersecurity. Through her family office, she has invested in Anthropic, Legora and Monzo. The father in the room Nikesh Arora has run Palo Alto Networks since 2018, serving as both CEO and chairman. He is now acting as an adviser to his daughter’s new fund. He has also been active as a personal investor in AI and technology during 2026. The news sp...