Founder Girish Mathrubootham Leaving Freshworks; Recounts Humble Beginnings in a Small Office in Chennai...
Freshworks' Founder Girish Mathrubootham Steps Down as Executive Chairman
In a significant move for the Indian tech industry, Girish Mathrubootham, the founder of Freshworks, has announced his decision to step down as executive chairman and board chair of the company he built from scratch. Mathrubootham, often referred to as "G," will be succeeded by Roxanne Austin, the lead independent director since 2021 and a board member at CrowdStrike and Verizon, on December 1, 2025.
Freshworks, a pioneering Indian SaaS company, made history by listing in the United States in 2021, marking a milestone for the Indian tech industry. Under Mathrubootham's leadership, the company navigated successful investments from Accel, Sequoia, and Tiger Global before its $10 billion Nasdaq debut.
Mathrubootham's departure is not the result of any disagreement on the company's operations or governance. In a statement, he called the decision "not easy" but said it was the "right one" at this stage. He expressed his desire to devote his attention to Together Fund, the venture capital firm he co-founded in 2021.
Together Fund, which recently raised $85 million in its debut, aims to invest in early-stage startups building artificial intelligence applications and infrastructure. Mathrubootham's passion for AI is evident in Freshworks' recent focus on this area as a growth driver, with the success of the Freddy AI line of products, which recently crossed $20 million in annual recurring revenue.
The transition began in May 2024, when Mathrubootham handed over the CEO role to Dennis Woodside. Under Woodside's leadership, Freshworks has continued to thrive, with total revenue rising to $204.7 million in the June quarter, up from $174 million a year earlier. The company also reported a narrowing of operating losses by 80% to $9 million in the same quarter.
With Mathrubootham's departure, Freshworks' board size will be reduced to nine members. Roxanne Austin, who will succeed Mathrubootham as chairperson, has been a valuable asset to the company, serving as a board member since 2021.
Mathrubootham has been an active figure in the tech industry, not just as a co-founder and leader, but also as an advisor to dozens of companies and as a co-founder of SaaSBoomi, a pay-it-forward community for software entrepreneurs. He believes that India has the talent and ambition to become a true Product Nation, and he wants to dedicate his energy to this dream.
As Mathrubootham steps down, he holds a 4.28% stake in Freshworks after partially selling shares in late 2024. Despite this move, his commitment to Freshworks and the Indian tech industry remains undiminished. He will continue to be a significant influence in the industry, with his focus now shifting to Together Fund.
This change marks a new chapter for Freshworks, but it also underscores the enduring legacy of Mathrubootham, who has been instrumental in the company's success and the growth of the Indian tech industry. His departure is a testament to the strength of the company he built and the leadership he provided, and it paves the way for new opportunities and challenges in the future.
