Girish Mathrubootham

Girish Mathrubootham, widely recognized as the CEO and Founder of Freshworks, has also established himself as a prominent and prolific angel investor, primarily focusing on the burgeoning startup ecosystem in India. Since commencing his angel investment activities in 2015, Mathrubootham has become a significant figure in early-stage funding, leveraging his deep operational experience from building a global SaaS unicorn. His investment philosophy is deeply rooted in supporting founders who are building world-class products and solutions from India, targeting global markets.

Mathrubootham's investment thesis centers around identifying and backing promising SaaS companies, though his portfolio extends to other sectors as well. He has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to nurturing new ventures, having invested in over 70 startups to date. His typical first cheque size for these early-stage investments ranges consistently between $100,000 and $250,000, indicating a focus on seed and pre-seed rounds where his capital and mentorship can have a substantial impact. This strategic approach allows him to engage with companies at their foundational stages, providing crucial early support.

His diverse portfolio includes several notable success stories and high-potential ventures. Prominent investments include Chargebee, a subscription management platform; Whatfix, a digital adoption platform; Fyle, an expense management solution; and SuperOps.ai, an AI-powered IT operations platform. Beyond direct angel investments, Mathrubootham also participates as a Limited Partner (LP) in various venture capital funds, including Accel and Sequoia Capital India, further solidifying his commitment to fostering the broader venture capital landscape. His involvement underscores a holistic approach to ecosystem development, extending beyond individual company backing to supporting the funds that fuel innovation.

Mathrubootham's unique position as a successful founder-turned-investor provides him with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage entrepreneurs. His active engagement, coupled with his financial backing, makes him a highly sought-after angel investor, particularly for founders aiming to scale their Indian-based startups globally. His contributions are instrumental in shaping the next generation of technology companies emerging from India.