Pepperfry co-founder Ambareesh Murty dies of cardiac arrest during Ladakh bike trip
Murty posing with his RE Himalayan during his Ladakh trip. Photo: Ambareesh Murty Instagram
Ambareesh Murty, a prominent e-commerce figure and the co-founder and CEO of Pepperfry, a renowned online marketplace for furniture and home decor, passed away yesterday (August 7) due to a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) while on a motorcycle trip in Leh.
The somber news was shared by his fellow Pepperfry co-founder, Ashish Shah, on the social media platform X. In a heartfelt tribute, Shah expressed that Murty was not only a colleague but also a dear friend, a guiding mentor, a brother, and a soulmate.
Extremely devastated to inform that my friend, mentor, brother, soulmate @AmbareeshMurty is no more. Lost him yesterday night to a cardiac arrest at Leh. Please pray for him and for strength to his family and near ones. 🙏
— Ashish Shah (@TweetShah) August 8, 2023
The 51-year-old entrepreneur was embarking on a motorcycle journey through the demanding terrains of Ladakh, chronicling his expedition through captivating snapshots on his Instagram.
Career
Ambareesh Murty's illustrious career in e-commerce took off with the co-founding of Pepperfry in 2012, alongside Ashish Shah. However, his journey professional journey has had earlier milestones.
- Showcasing his early innate drive to create and connect, he founded Tutor's Bureau, a venture connecting tutors with students, in the early 1990s.
- After getting an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM-C), after a B.E. from the Delhi College of Engineering, he commenced his corporate career with Cadbury.
- Notably, he held the position of country manager at eBay India, the Philippines, and Malaysia, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory by enhancing customer experiences.
- Murty's professional journey spanned diverse sectors, including leadership roles at brands like Levi Strauss and Britannia Industries.
- His contributions extended beyond the business, as he served as the vice chairman of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) too.
Apart from business, his love for history and epic fantasies, evident in his self-proclaimed "closet sociopath" identity on social media, showcased a multifaceted personality.
Pepperfry and Murty
- Murty's legacy gained prominence with the founding of Pepperfry in 2012, alongside Ashish Shah.
- Under their leadership, Pepperfry swiftly carved a niche in the competitive e-commerce landscape, revolutionising the way people approached furniture shopping.
- His strategic brilliance propelled the brand's growth, earning it a valuation of $460 million, backed by investments from entities like Goldman Sachs, Bertelsmann India Investments, General Electric, etc
Tributes pour in
Condolences and tributes swiftly poured in from peers, friends, and admirers as news of Murty's untimely demise spread. Rajiv Srivatsa, an entrepreneur and podcast host, expressed his shock, describing the arduous journey Murty undertook in establishing Pepperfry, a prominent brand in the furniture sector.
This is shocking. It's tough enough to be an entrepreneur. It's tougher to be one, in a category like furniture and building the brand @Pepperfry across a decade.
— Rajiv Srivatsa (@telljeeves) August 8, 2023
Have heard great things about him.
RIP @AmbareeshMurty
Condolences to the team and family. Prayers for the… https://t.co/oOqsn2OaBC
Swati Bhargava, co-founder of CashKaro.com, too expressed her grief over Murty's sudden demise due to cardiac arrest. She acknowledged him as an inspiring entrepreneur whose legacy through Pepperfry should continue to thrive.