Akshay Kothari has built a reputation for seamlessly launching and scaling key functions at Notion, where he serves as Chief Operating Officer. Since joining the company in 2018 as its eighth employee, Kothari has played a pivotal role in shaping its business operations, from support and sales to finance and legal. His unique approach involves immersing himself in a function for several months, rapidly establishing its foundations, and then bringing in seasoned leaders to take over. This strategic execution has been instrumental in Notion’s expansion to over 20 million users and a valuation of $10 billion. His ability to identify and address gaps within a high-growth environment has been a key factor in Notion’s rise as a leading productivity software.
Born and raised in India, Kothari pursued his education in the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University before obtaining a master’s degree in the same field from Stanford University. Before joining Notion, he co-founded Pulse, a news aggregation app that LinkedIn acquired in 2013. Following the acquisition, he became LinkedIn’s Country Manager for India, where he managed thousands of employees and led key initiatives to expand the platform’s presence in the region. At Notion, Kothari’s role extends beyond traditional operations—he drives growth, builds executive teams, and ensures that the company’s infrastructure scales effectively to meet increasing demand.
What sets Kothari apart is his commitment to cultivating strong teams and a thriving company culture. Instead of merely hiring for skill, he invests time in deeply understanding the traits of high-performing executives, often meeting industry leaders to refine his approach. His belief that leadership is about attracting and retaining top talent has shaped Notion’s hiring strategy, ensuring that the company remains agile and innovative. Through his work, Kothari continues to leave a lasting imprint—not just on Notion’s operations but on the foundational principles that drive its success.