Girish Mathrubootham Steps Down as Executive Chairman of Freshworks After Fifteen Years

After building Freshworks into a global SaaS powerhouse listed on Nasdaq, founder Girish Mathrubootham has announced he will step down as Executive Chairman effective December 1, 2025.

Girish Mathrubootham, one of India’s most recognized technology entrepreneurs, has announced that he will be stepping down as Executive Chairman of Freshworks. His decision, effective December 1, 2025, marks the end of a remarkable fifteen year journey that transformed a small startup founded in Chennai into a Nasdaq listed global SaaS success story. Mathrubootham revealed the news through a LinkedIn post that quickly drew attention from the global tech and startup community.

The story of Freshworks began in October 2010 when Mathrubootham launched the company with a vision to build customer engagement software that was both simple and powerful. Over the years, Freshworks grew into a company that became synonymous with India’s rise in the global SaaS ecosystem. Under his leadership, the brand expanded its portfolio, attracted clients worldwide, and eventually made history by becoming one of the first Indian SaaS companies to list on Nasdaq. For many, Freshworks became a symbol of what Indian innovation could achieve on the world stage.

Before starting Freshworks, Mathrubootham gained valuable experience in technology and product leadership at Zoho Corporation, where he served as Vice President of Product Management between 2007 and 2010 after holding the role of Director of Product Management from 2005 to 2007. Earlier in his career, he worked at AdventNet, where he took on responsibilities ranging from product management to customer support. His early engineering roles at eFORCE and HCL Cisco ODC provided him with the technical foundation that later shaped his approach to product design and customer centric innovation.

Freshworks confirmed through its official LinkedIn announcement that Roxanne Austin, currently the company’s Lead Independent Director, will assume the role of Chair of the Board following Mathrubootham’s exit. This transition signals the company’s readiness for the next phase of growth while also honoring the legacy of its founder.

Mathrubootham’s departure is not just the end of an era for Freshworks but also a defining moment for the Indian SaaS ecosystem. Over fifteen years, he inspired a generation of entrepreneurs to believe that global scale companies could be built from India. His journey from Chennai to Nasdaq has often been described as a playbook for aspiring founders. It showed that perseverance, product vision, and an unwavering focus on customers could create companies that compete with the best in the world.

As he steps away from the executive role, industry watchers will be keen to see what comes next for Mathrubootham. With over two decades of experience in building products, scaling organizations, and shaping the SaaS narrative, he is expected to continue influencing the world of technology and entrepreneurship in new ways.

The announcement has already generated heartfelt responses from employees, partners, and industry leaders who credit Mathrubootham not only for his vision but also for his ability to lead with authenticity and humility. His story remains a reminder that world class companies can emerge from anywhere and that leadership is about building both products and people.

Follow Marketing Moves on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on leadership changes, marketing strategies, and the people shaping the future of global brands.