Girish Mathrubootham Reveals All in His Upcoming Autobiography: A Journey Beyond Business

 Girish Mathrubootham Reveals All in His Upcoming Autobiography: A Journey Beyond Business

Girish Mathrubootham, the visionary founder of Freshworks, has announced the release of his highly anticipated autobiography, All In, co-authored with esteemed journalist Pankaj Mishra. Set to give readers a candid and in-depth look into his life, the book goes beyond the usual business advice, offering a personal narrative that captures the essence of Mathrubootham’s journey from humble beginnings to the global success of Freshworks.

Speaking to IndyaStory at SaaSBoomi 2025 in Chennai, Mathrubootham emphasized that his autobiography is not a conventional business guide. "It’s my life story," he explained. "I haven’t written it like a typical business book that just offers advice on business models. It starts with my early days, pursuing engineering, moving to Chennai, searching for a job, and eventually pursuing an MBA."

Initially considering the title "G," a nickname his peers and employees affectionately use for him, Mathrubootham ultimately settled on All In. While he jokingly pointed out the connection to "AI" (artificial intelligence), the title has a deeper significance. It was inspired by a 2016 article, The Making of Girish, where Mathrubootham’s close friend Rajesh Rajshekhar described him as an "all in" person—a trait that reflects his full commitment to every endeavor.

L-R: Actor Rajinikanth and Girish Mathrubootham, Founder and Chairman of Freshworks.

The autobiography is aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and builders, especially those from modest backgrounds who don't come from elite educational institutions or influential networks. “The number one takeaway is: to be successful in business, you don’t need Ivy League credentials or connections. Regular people, even those with difficult childhoods, can succeed,” Mathrubootham remarked. The book shares pivotal moments and counterintuitive decisions that helped him build Freshworks into the first Indian SaaS company to be listed on the Nasdaq.

One such decision involved turning down a Rs 12,000 job offer in favor of a Rs 5,000 position in software, a move that allowed him to stay in the industry he believed in. "Many founders can relate to this—sometimes success is shaped by the tough choices you make when life presents options that don’t seem obvious," he said.

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The book features eight chapters, each shedding light on key influences in Mathrubootham’s entrepreneurial journey. Notable among them is a tribute to his mentor, Kumar Vembu, titled ‘Kumar Vembu – Through the Eyes of a Mentor’, highlighting Vembu’s impact during Mathrubootham's time at Zoho. Another chapter, ‘Thalaivar – The Hero Who Shaped My Dreams,’ focuses on actor Rajinikanth, a figure Mathrubootham credits for inspiring his approach to life and business.

Despite revealing some key moments, Mathrubootham remains tight-lipped about specific details. “I don’t like to give away spoilers,” he chuckled. Nonetheless, the book does not shy away from addressing the challenges he faced, including his early struggles as an engineering graduate in Chennai and the hardships encountered along the way.

Ultimately, All In is a reflection of Mathrubootham’s philosophy that entrepreneurship is about making bold, sometimes unconventional decisions. “It’s not about following trends, but about staying true to what you believe and pushing through the tough times,” he concludes.

In sharing his story, Mathrubootham hopes to inspire others who dream of building something extraordinary, regardless of their starting point.