Overview
- An open letter counted 1,179 signatories representing 1,094 companies calling on Sequoia to reprimand partner Shaun Maguire for his comments about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
- Signatories demand a public denunciation and apology, an independent investigation with disclosed findings and discipline, a binding anti‑discrimination policy explicitly protecting religion, and an independent founders’ reporting channel.
- Financial Times–confirmed reporting says COO Sumaiya Balbale resigned after five years and privately cited an Islamophobic atmosphere following Maguire’s post.
- Sequoia has not disciplined Maguire, with managing partner Roelof Botha describing a policy of institutional neutrality; Maguire later said his criticism targeted Islamism as an ideology rather than Muslims.
- Forbes notes concern that major Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds could be angered, while reporting that Maguire’s successful bets tied to Elon Musk’s companies, including roughly $4 billion in on‑paper gains from SpaceX, have bolstered his standing inside the firm.