Biography of Krish Subramanian: Co-Founder & CEO of Chargebee- Entrepreneur
Biography of Krish Subramanian:
Krish Subramanian is the co-founder and CEO of Chargebee, a
company specializing in subscription billing and revenue management for growing
businesses. Based in Amsterdam, he leads a global team that serves customers
across 53 countries, driving Chargebee’s continuous growth each year. With over
20 years of experience in software, Krish is not just an engineer but also a
natural problem solver, dedicated to finding solutions that help businesses
scale.
Educational Foundation at Bharathidasan University
Krish holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in
Computer Science and Engineering from Bharathidasan University, where he
studied from 1997 to 2001. This educational background provided him with the
technical knowledge and skills that would later drive his success as a tech
entrepreneur.
Recognized Skills in Project Management and Pre-Sales
Krish is well-regarded for his expertise in software project
management and pre-sales, with numerous endorsements from colleagues at
Chargebee and Cognizant. His ability to manage complex projects and his
understanding of pre-sales processes have been key contributors to his
leadership at Chargebee.
Starting Out at MatexNet
Krish began his professional journey as a Software Engineer
at MatexNet Pvt Ltd, where he worked for 11 months in 2002. This role marked
the beginning of his career in software development, setting the stage for his
future accomplishments in the tech industry.
Years at TCS: Building Expertise
Krish's career in technology began at Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), where he spent nearly seven years, from December 2002 to
September 2009. He held various roles during his tenure, starting as a Tech
Lead and later becoming a Project Manager. His work at TCS equipped him with a
deep understanding of software project management, which became a cornerstone
of his later success at Chargebee.
Technology Specialist at Cognizant
Before founding Chargebee, Krish worked as a Technology
Specialist at Cognizant Technology Solutions from October 2009 to May 2011.
During his time there, he gained valuable experience that would later
contribute to his success in leading a tech-focused startup.
Biography of Krish Subramanian: Co-Founder & CEO of Chargebee- Entrepreneur /Investor/Success story of Krish Subramanian/life story Krish/Chargebee
Gaining Experience and Forming a Team
Between 2001 and 2011, Krish gained valuable experience in
the software industry, working for companies like MatexNet, TCS, and Cognizant.
Meanwhile, Rajaraman honed his business-building skills at Zoho, a successful
Indian tech company. During this time, they also brought two more friends on
board: Thiyagarajan Thiyagu, a former college roommate, and Saravanan KP, a
mentor from Zoho, forming a strong founding team.
A Vision Takes Shape in Chennai
Before founding Chargebee in 2011, Krish worked as a
technology specialist at Cognizant Technology Solutions. Chargebee, which
started in Chennai, India, has grown into a major player in revenue management,
automating operations for over 4,000 subscription-based businesses. In 2021,
the company entered the unicorn club with a $125 million Series G funding
round, doubling its valuation to $3.5 billion after a $250 million investment
led by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital.
Building a Software Giant from Scratch
Krish’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2004, inspired by a
business plan from his former classmate, Rajaraman Santhanam, which included
saving a significant portion of their salaries. This plan laid the foundation
for their future startup. With the support of his wife, Krish adopted a frugal
lifestyle, saving every rupee to fund their dream. This period of financial
discipline was crucial in ensuring they could bootstrap their venture without
external pressure.
Chargebee Takes Its First Steps
In 2011, the four engineers left their jobs to start a tech
company, although they initially had no clear idea of what business they would
pursue. After considering several ideas, they chose to focus on billing,
recognizing the growing need for efficient billing solutions in the emerging
subscription economy. Despite their lack of market research, their collective
experience and problem-solving abilities helped them launch Chargebee from a
small apartment in Chennai.
Challenges of Building a Global Company from India
One of the early challenges Chargebee faced was its
location. Being based in Chennai, India, rather than Silicon Valley, posed
difficulties in networking and gaining traction. To overcome this, Krish became
an expert in inbound marketing, using content to attract customers from around
the world. From the beginning, half of Chargebee’s revenue came from North
America, forcing the company to think globally from day one and adapt to the needs
of international markets.
Surviving the Early Years
The first year and a half were tough for Chargebee, with the
founders nearly exhausting their startup capital. Krish’s former boss at
Cognizant had advised him to give the venture three years before deciding its
fate. Taking this advice to heart, Krish and his wife sold a rental property to
keep the business afloat. This decision paid off when Chargebee started gaining
momentum, differentiating itself by simplifying the process of collecting recurring
revenue for businesses.
Finding Lighthouse Customers
In 2013, Chargebee reached a turning point by winning its
first customers in the UK and the US. These “lighthouse customers” were
critical in validating the company’s product and helping it achieve
product-market fit. Their feedback and support not only brought in the first
revenue but also helped Chargebee gain credibility and attract more customers,
solidifying its freemium business model.
Navigating the Blue Ocean Market
Chargebee was a pioneer in the emerging subscription billing
market, often referred to as a “blue ocean” because of its untapped potential.
However, the company faced challenges as potential customers debated whether to
build their own solutions or buy Chargebee’s technology. To scale quickly, the
founders needed to raise capital from investors who understood the market’s
potential and were willing to support Chargebee’s growth.
Strategic Partnerships and Investor Support
After securing $1.17 million in Seed and Series A funding in
2014, Krish met Vinny Pujji from Insight Partners, who would later become a key
investor. Even before investing, Vinny looked for ways to add value to
Chargebee, which stood out due to its strong leadership, proven product-market
fit, and long-term growth strategy. This support helped Chargebee continue its
upward trajectory.
Fundraising Reflects Market Demand
Insight Partners played a significant role in Chargebee’s
rapid fundraising, leading rounds that raised $55 million in 2020, $125 million
in 2021, and $250 million in 2022. The pace of these investments reflected the
growing demand for subscription services, which have expanded much faster than
traditional markets. Despite the challenges of 2022, including industry-wide
layoffs, Chargebee remained focused on growth, ending 2023 with cash-flow
positive operations.
Leading Chargebee's Global Journey
Krish Subramanian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Chargebee, a
company he has led since May 2011. Over the past 13 years, Krish has been at
the helm of a close-knit, globally distributed team dedicated to delivering a
world-class SaaS subscription billing solution for online businesses. His
team’s engineering expertise and experience have allowed them to create the
best subscription management and billing product in the industry. Chargebee has
built strong partnerships with major payment processors like Stripe, PayPal,
and Braintree, helping businesses around the world streamline their billing
operations for recurring revenue models.
Long-Term Partnerships and Strategic Growth
The relationship between Chargebee and its investors,
particularly Insight Partners, has been one of mutual trust and strategic
guidance. Insight helped appoint Mike Beach as Chargebee’s CFO, bringing
valuable experience in SaaS and public markets. This support was instrumental
in helping Chargebee’s leadership team focus on long-term goals rather than
getting bogged down in daily operations.
Chargebee's Continued Ambitions
As Chargebee continues to grow, Krish Subramanian remains
committed to building solutions that make life easier for businesses worldwide.
Despite the challenges along the way, including navigating a blue ocean market
and surviving the early years of uncertainty, Chargebee has established itself
as a leader in subscription billing and revenue management, with no plans to
slow down anytime soon. The company’s journey is a testament to the power of
resilience, strategic partnerships, and a relentless focus on customer needs.
Timeline for Krish Subramanian story
1997-2001: Krish Subramanian earns a BE in Computer Science
and Engineering from Bharathidasan University.
2002: Krish begins his career as a Software Engineer at
MatexNet Pvt Ltd.
Dec 2002 - Sep 2009: Krish works at Tata Consultancy Services
(TCS), progressing from Tech Lead to Project Manager.
Oct 2009 - May 2011: Krish serves as a Technology Specialist
at Cognizant Technology Solutions.
May 2011: Krish co-founds Chargebee in Chennai, India.
2013: Chargebee secures its first "lighthouse
customers" in the UK and the US.
2014: Chargebee raises $1.17 million in Seed and Series A
funding.
2020: Chargebee raises $55 million in a funding round led by
Insight Partners.
2021: Chargebee enters the unicorn club with a $125 million
Series G funding round.
2022: Chargebee raises $250 million, doubling its valuation
to $3.5 billion.
2023: Chargebee ends the year with cash-flow positive
operations.
