In a move that signals the end of an era for one of India’s most iconic SaaS startups, Freshworks has announced that its founder, Girish Mathrubootham, will step
In a move that signals the end of an era for one of India’s most iconic SaaS startups, Freshworks has announced that its founder, Girish Mathrubootham, will step down as executive chairman and chairman of the board, effective December 1.
The announcement marks a defining moment for Freshworks, the Chennai-born, Silicon Valley–listed SaaS giant that has been a poster child for India’s product startup ecosystem on the global stage.
Mathrubootham had already transitioned from CEO to executive chairman more than a year ago, handing over day-to-day leadership while continuing to guide the company’s strategic direction.
Now, his complete exit from the boardroom means the company will move forward without its visionary founder at the helm for the first time since its inception.
Freshworks confirmed that Roxanne Austin, a seasoned leader with experience across technology and corporate governance, will succeed Mathrubootham as the new chairperson of the board.
Her appointment is expected to bring continuity and strong oversight as Freshworks navigates its next phase of growth amid rising competition in the global SaaS space.
Girish Mathrubootham isn’t just a founder — he’s been the face of India’s SaaS revolution, building Freshworks from a small Chennai startup into a NASDAQ-listed company. His leadership inspired a generation of entrepreneurs to believe that world-class software products could be built in India for the world.
His exit, however, raises big questions:
Under Mathrubootham, Freshworks became one of India’s first SaaS unicorns and a flagbearer for Indian product startups going global. Its IPO on NASDAQ in 2021 was a historic milestone, cementing Freshworks as a pioneer.
Even as he steps away, his influence will remain etched in the DNA of the company — and in India’s startup playbook.
With Mathrubootham’s departure, all eyes are now on how Freshworks will evolve. The SaaS market is fiercely competitive, with giants like Salesforce, Zendesk, and HubSpot dominating. Freshworks needs sharper execution, deeper enterprise penetration, and sustained profitability to keep its edge.
Roxanne Austin’s leadership could set the tone for a more globally aggressive Freshworks.
