Pranay Desai

I was a tech-curious oddball in a family of accountants and lawyers; I found my way into Freshworks in 2014 – what I call my "happy accident." Over seven years, I helped scale the company from $5M to $350M in revenue, working across roles from Chief of Staff to marketing leadership. 

‍

Through Freshworks' acquisition of Z47 portfolio company Zarget, I got to know the Z47 team, which eventually led me to venture capital. It's a field that keeps me young – where even a 22-year-old engineer can teach you how the world will work 10 years from now.

Having witnessed Freshworks and Zoho grow into billion-dollar companies, I'm convinced this is just the beginning. Where U.S. companies once set up capability centers in India, we now see Indian companies building global products and establishing sales operations in the U.S. What excites me most is working with founders who aren't just building for India – they're aiming to create world-class products that can compete globally.

Three things stand out: First, founders with boundless ambition who want to be world-class at their craft. Second, unique insights into how enterprise teams will work in the future. Third, and crucially, founders who prioritize distribution and brand-building from day one – the best companies often write their first blog before their first line of code.

For founders building global SaaS companies from India, I bring two core strengths to the table. First, having built Freshworks' GTM engine from $5M to $350M ARR, I can help you nail your global positioning, build your first US sales playbook, and scale your marketing operations to compete with the best.

‍

Second, I understand the unique challenges of building cross-border teams—from setting up your first US office to maintaining culture across geographies. If you're dreaming of building the next great SaaS company from India, I've been there and can help you move faster.

I'm a friend and supporter first—this journey can be lonely, and founders need different types of support at different times. My specific value-add comes from being a thought partner on go-to-market strategy and helping navigate the complexities of building a cross-border organization. Having done this before, I can help with everything from team structure to maintaining culture across geographies.

I find immense joy in exploring and appreciating craftsmanship across different domains. You might find me diving deep into discussions about kitchen knives, testing audio equipment, admiring mechanical watches, or talking about cars. It's not just about collecting or using these items—it's about understanding the dedication and attention to detail that goes into creating something exceptional.

'The Cadence' with David Sacks - masterclass in building and scaling extraordinary companies.