Freshworks Founder Mathrubootham to Step Down as Executive Chairman December 2025

Girish Mathrubootham, founder of Freshworks, will step down as executive chairman on December 1, 2025, concluding a 15-year leadership journey that transformed the company from a Chennai startup into a Nasdaq-listed SaaS firm. Roxanne Austin, the current lead independent director, will succeed him as chairperson, with a planned smooth transition supported by Mathrubootham. His departure is part of a broader trend of founder exits as tech companies mature post-IPO, and he will focus on venture capital through the Together Fund and supporting AI startups to advance India's vision of becoming a product-driven nation. Freshworks continues to grow under CEO Dennis Woodside, with AI-powered products contributing to an 18% revenue increase in Q2 2025 and a raised annual revenue forecast of up to $829 million. The company confirmed Mathrubootham's exit was amicable and unrelated to operational disagreements. This leadership change marks a significant moment in Freshworks' evolution as it prepares for its next growth phase.