Pepperfry Co-Founder Ambareesh Murty Passes Away During Mumbai-Ladakh Motorcycle Trip

Ambareesh Murty, a prominent figure in the online furniture and home decor industry, and the co-founder of Pepperfry, tragically passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest during a motorcycle journey from Mumbai to Leh. The distressing news was announced by Ashish Shah, his close associate and co-founder, in a heartfelt post on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, now referred to as "X."

In his emotional message, Shah described Murty as a "friend, mentor, brother, soulmate" and expressed his profound devastation at the untimely loss. The 51-year-old co-founder was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and had embarked on a biking expedition to explore the picturesque landscapes between Mumbai and Leh. The journey came to an abrupt end when he suffered a cardiac arrest while in Leh.

Ambareesh Murty played a pivotal role in shaping Pepperfry, the renowned online marketplace that specializes in furniture and home decor. Established in 2011, the platform quickly gained prominence under Murty's leadership as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Murty was known for his passion for motorcycling and his thirst for adventure, as evident from the captivating photos and videos he shared on his Instagram account during his Ladakh expedition.

The news of his untimely demise prompted an outpouring of tributes from various quarters. Colleagues, friends, and acquaintances fondly recalled their interactions and experiences with Murty, highlighting his mentorship and influential presence. Messages of condolence and support flooded in, with many expressing their shock and extending their sympathies to Murty's grieving family and friends.

Hailing from an academic background, Ambareesh Murty was an alumnus of IIT Calcutta, having graduated in the year 1996. He pursued his Bachelors in Engineering from the esteemed Delhi College of Engineering in 1994. Known for his unique sense of humor, he once humorously referred to himself as a "closet sociopath" on his social media profile, where he also professed his love for historical literature and epic fantasies.

His journey as an entrepreneur began during his college years when he started providing tutoring services to students. This led to the establishment of Tutors' Bureau, a venture aimed at connecting tutors with school students, which he successfully ran for a couple of years in the early 1990s.

Pepperfry, the enterprise that he co-founded, achieved significant success and was valued at $500 million, with a substantial investment of $244 million secured over eight funding rounds as of 2020. Notable investors in Pepperfry included entities such as Goldman Sachs and Bertelsmann India Investments.

Ambareesh Murty's unexpected demise has left a void in the entrepreneurial and biking communities. His contributions to the online marketplace and his passion for adventure will be remembered by those whose lives he touched. As the news of his passing reverberates, the collective thoughts and prayers of many are with his family and loved ones during this challenging time.