In a major leadership transition, Girish Mathrubootham, the visionary founder of Freshworks Inc., has announced that he will step down as Executive Chairman of the company effective December 1, 2025. The move comes nearly four years after the SaaS pioneer made history by taking Freshworks public on the Nasdaq in 2021, marking one of India’s most celebrated global tech IPOs.
A Founder’s Journey: From Startup to Nasdaq Listing
Founded in 2010 in Chennai, Freshworks quickly rose to prominence as a customer engagement and IT service management software provider, competing with global giants such as Salesforce and Zendesk. Under Mathrubootham’s leadership, the company expanded its footprint to the U.S., scaled across multiple product lines, and achieved the milestone of being the first Indian SaaS firm to debut on Wall Street.
The IPO was a defining moment for the Indian startup ecosystem, showcasing how a homegrown SaaS company could successfully capture global markets.
Transition Beyond the Founder
Mathrubootham’s decision to retire from Freshworks boardroom responsibilities underscores a common challenge for many founder-led companies navigating the evolution from founder-driven vision to institution-led growth. While he will no longer hold an executive role, Freshworks will continue to focus on its long-term strategy of expanding enterprise adoption and scaling profitability.
Industry analysts believe the leadership change will mark a new chapter for Freshworks, which must balance innovation with consistent financial performance as competition in the SaaS space intensifies.
Focus on Venture Investing with Together Fund
Following his departure, Mathrubootham will dedicate his time to Together Fund, the venture capital firm he co-founded. The fund backs early-stage startups across India and Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on SaaS, fintech, and AI-driven ventures. His transition reflects a broader trend of successful Indian entrepreneurs turning investors to nurture the next generation of founders.
What This Means for Freshworks and Indian SaaS
For Freshworks, the exit of its founder comes at a crucial juncture. The company is under pressure to prove long-term scalability in the U.S. enterprise software market while continuing to maintain strong growth momentum from its SMB customer base. For the Indian SaaS ecosystem, Mathrubootham’s move highlights the maturing landscape—where first-generation SaaS founders are now building an ecosystem of capital, mentorship, and global networks for new startups.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and corporate filings. It is created for informational and journalistic purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice.