Girish Mathrubootham to Exit Freshworks

Girish Mathrubootham, co-founder of Freshworks, will step down as executive chairman of the Nasdaq-listed SaaS firm on December 1, 2025, according to the company’s SEC filing. He will now focus on investing through Together Fund, his SaaS-focused venture capital firm. Mathrubootham had transitioned from CEO to executive chairman in May 2024.

Following his exit, Roxanne Austin, currently lead independent director, will assume the role of chairperson of the board. The board will be reduced to nine members, with only two Class III directors. Freshworks clarified that his resignation was not related to any operational or governance disputes.

Mathrubootham, who founded Freshworks in Chennai in 2010, has been a key figure in India’s SaaS movement. He led the company from a startup to its $10 billion Nasdaq debut in 2021. He now holds a 4.28% stake after partially selling shares in late 2024.

Together Fund, launched in 2021 with an $85 million corpus, announced a second fund in 2023 targeting $150 million. Media reports suggest Fund II is close to completion.

Meanwhile, under CEO Dennis Woodside, Freshworks is accelerating on AI-led growth. Its Freddy AI products have crossed $20 million ARR, contributing to improved FY25 guidance. Revenue grew to $204.7 million in Q2 CY25, up from $174 million last year, while operating losses narrowed sharply by 80% to $9 million.