Sridhar Vembu
CEO, Zoho Corporation- Zoho Corp.
Sridhar Vembu's Journey so far ...
- After completing his doctoral studies from Princeton, Sridhar Vembu was offered a job as a lecturer
- But, realising that his interest was not in research but practical implementation, he decided to take up a job at Qualcomm as a wireless systems engineer
- During the 1990s, the software ecosystem in India was still in its nascent stage with a large pool of software engineers but not enough software products. So, Vembu decided to tap the market
- He quit Qualcomm a couple of years later, and in 1996, partnered with two of his siblings and three friends to form AdventNet Inc.
- He became the CEO of the company in 2000
- He was quick to recognise the potential of software as a service (SaaS) and in 2005, his company began developing SaaS-based solutions. The move marked the inception of Zoho
- After being unable to attract top talents from reputed universities, Vembu established Zoho University in 2005. Here, high school (Class 12) graduates from underprivileged backgrounds were taught computer programming and upon successful completion of the course, were offered jobs at Zoho
- By 2008, the company had a user base of over 1 million
- The company was renamed as Zoho Corporation in May 2009
- Today, Zoho has nearly 40 applications in its suite which allow businesses to manage everything from sales & marketing to accounting & customer support. One among their USPs is that the cloud-based software suite is offered at very competitive prices
- The company’s largest customer base is in the US followed by the European Union (EU) and India
- With R&D and innovation being its primary focus, the company currently has more than 50 million users globally, and Vembu owns around 88% stake in the company
Before you go ...
- Vembu never believed in raising money from venture capitalists or through an IPO and his company, till date, is completely bootstrapped
- In a bid to curb the trend of people migrating from villages to cities in search of job opportunities, Vembu moved from San Francisco to Mathalamparai -- a village in the district Tenkasi, around 650 km from Chennai -- in October 2019 and works out of a rural office set up by his company in the village
- His company has two rural offices with nearly 500 people working out of those outfits
Sridhar Vembu News
- 'Wake Up Now': Sridhar Vembu says Indians should drop globalization illusions after US restricts access to Fable 5, Mythos 5 AI modelsZoho founder Sridhar Vembu highlights restrictions on advanced AI models for users outside the US. He stresses the need for India to develop its own technologies. Vembu urges adoption of smaller, Indian-developed, and open-source AI models. He believes this approach is crucial for national security and economic sovereignty. Support for this view comes from RBI director Gurumurthy, who recalls Dr.
- From Sunil Mittal to Sridhar Vembu, Harsh Goenka on nine entrepreneurs building India as their longest, proudest projectIndustrialist Harsh Goenka lauded nine prominent Indian business leaders for their nation-building efforts. Their work spans communication, steel, healthcare, technology, and global business expansion. These entrepreneurs have significantly contributed to India's economic growth, innovation, and employment. The post sparked widespread discussion on the impact of business leaders on national development.
- Delhi HC ruling against Google draws praise from startup foundersThe Delhi High Court has ruled Google liable for trademark infringement in keyword advertising, a decision lauded by Indian startup founders like Nithin Kamath and Sridhar Vembu. This verdict could curb practices where competitors bid on trademarked names, diverting traffic and forcing brands to spend on their own keywords.
- ‘Self-respect’, ‘hurts competitiveness in AI’: Sridhar Vembu, Andrew Ng sound alarm over new US Green Card rulesNew US green card rules are drawing sharp criticism. Tech leaders and Indian entrepreneurs warn of impacts on innovation and families. The policy requires many to apply from abroad. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the changes, calling them global and not India-specific. He cites a need to streamline immigration and address past abuses.
- 'Self-respect': Zoho's Sridhar Vembu again appeals to Indians in US to come home after new Green Card rule by Trump administrationNew US Department of Homeland Security rules for Green Cards are in effect. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu is urging Indian professionals in America to return home. He believes self-respect and national contribution should guide their decisions. Vembu encourages building opportunities within India. This move signals a stricter approach to immigration.
- Sridhar Vembu says prepare for tough times as economic picture is getting grimmer, warns AI hype may not last longZoho founder Sridhar Vembu warns of a grim economic future. He believes artificial intelligence alone cannot solve deep-rooted issues. Vembu urges everyone to prepare for challenging times ahead. He notes the global economic order is weakening. The world faces a difficult phase, and preparedness is key.
- Sridhar Vembu calls for re-election in Tamil Nadu, says numbers ‘don’t add up’, TN deserves betterTamil Nadu faces political uncertainty after actor Vijay's party emerged as the largest but without a majority. Zoho's Sridhar Vembu suggested President's Rule and fresh elections with strict 'no cash for votes' enforcement, believing Vijay's party could win a super majority. Social media is divided on the re-election idea, weighing governance against financial and administrative burdens.
- When a Delhi airport security official asked Sridhar Vembu: 'Sir, Vijay Thalapathy win?' Zoho founder praises actor-leader's 'remarkable political rise in short span of time'A security official at Delhi airport and a farmer in Tamil Nadu expressed excitement about actor Vijay's political prospects. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu noted these conversations reflect a broader sentiment for change. While established parties retain strengths, Vijay's rapid rise presents a significant new factor in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. Voter movement is becoming harder to predict.
- ‘Don’t expect flowers in India’: VC backs Sridhar Vembu, says return call not for most NRIsVenture capitalist Hemant Mohapatra clarified Sridhar Vembu's call for Indian-Americans to return, emphasizing it's a mission for nation-building, not a guarantee of ease. He stated the appeal is for individuals willing to embrace hardship and contribute to India's growth in emerging tech sectors, acknowledging potential struggles and the need for sacrifice.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu asks Indians in US to 'come back'; Ashneer Grover's '$1 = Rs 94, temperature 50C' reply sparks fierce debateA debate on brain drain and nation-building has erupted after Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urged Indians in the US to return home and contribute to India’s technological growth, calling it a matter of national progress and responsibility. His post on X drew a sharp reaction from entrepreneur Ashneer Grover, who dismissed the idea as impractical, citing economic factors and living conditions with his remark, “What delulu… Just DON’T.” The exchange has triggered mixed reactions online, with some supporting Vembu’s call for nation-building, while others argue that issues like infrastructure, salaries and quality of life need to be addressed before expecting professionals to return.
- Come back home: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges Indian talent in US to returnZoho founder Sridhar Vembu calls for Indian professionals in the US to return home. He emphasizes that India's global respect and prosperity depend on its technological strength. Vembu believes this talent is crucial for guiding India's youth towards a prosperous future. He urges a missionary zeal for this endeavor.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu requests Indians in US for Ghar Vaapsi amid Trump's 'hellhole' row, says it's the only path to true respectZoho Sridhar Vembu open letter: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has sparked a massive conversation online with a candid letter to the Indian diaspora in the U.S. Reflecting on his own 37-year journey, Vembu warns that Indians are getting caught in a messy political crossfire between the "hard right" and "woke left." He argues that global respect isn't given—it’s earned through a nation's technological power—and urges talented professionals to return home to build India’s future.
- Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu man has one advice for techies amid AI threat, reveals the skill customers will always pay for: ‘Be very good…’Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu advises tech professionals to focus on industry mastery over coding alone, as clients value understanding and dependability. While AI accelerates early development, human expertise remains crucial for refinement, compliance, and maintenance. Success in the AI era hinges on enhancing user experience and simplifying complex systems, not just output speed.
- Zoho layoffs: Sridhar Vembu's firm laid off 300 employees without prior warning? Here's all about the social media buzzZoho layoff: There's a growing buzz on social media that Sridhar Vembu's company Zoho laid off 300 freshers without a prior warning. The buzz gained traction after a user claimed on Blind that Zoho had suddenly asked 300 retainees to go. Zoho was quick to issue a clarification and said that post erroneously conflated the company’s internship programme with full-time employment.
- SaaS firm Zoho’s revenue up by 17.7% YoY, profits slow downIn financial year 2025, Zoho focused on cost controls and process efficiencies to help sustain margins. The company said its performance remained “satisfactory”. The company operates across a wide range of software products, including cloud applications, enterprise tools, and communications platforms. It continues to invest in infrastructure such as data centres and office campuses.
- Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu urges people to return to villages amid empty homes, fading templesSridhar Vembu calls for a return to Tamil Nadu villages, citing empty homes and fading temples. He advocates for decentralized growth, believing villages can become economic hubs. Vembu is investing in rural Tamil Nadu, setting up offices and a campus, and funding a drone startup. His message sparks debate about rural revival and opportunity outside big cities.
- AI can impact self-worth, challenge skills. It cannot replace empathy, care, human values: Zoho CEO Sridhar VembuZoho founder Sridhar Vembu argues that while AI can disrupt value based on intellectual superiority and economic contribution, it cannot replace deeply human activities. He highlights roles like caring for the elderly, teaching, and farming, driven by passion and inner conviction, as inherently resistant to automation and crucial for human purpose.
- 'Brain drain is costly': When Sridhar Vembu found Trump's AI advisor Sriram Krishnan before his migration to USZoho founder Sridhar Vembu pointed to Sriram Krishnan's global tech success as a reason for India's brain drain. Krishnan, identified early for his programming skills, built a career at Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, and Yahoo. He also entered venture capital and advised on artificial intelligence. His journey began in Chennai, showcasing the potential lost to other nations.
- India investing in small AI models for resource efficiency, says Zoho founder Sridhar VembuVembu said that the current trend in India is to focus on models that use fewer resources. He stated, "I think we are investing in lot of the smaller models. Those should be unglamorous right now, but they get the job done." He mentioned the startup Sarvam as an example of a company already launching models with a smaller footprint.
- How Anthropic's new AI tool could impact IT jobs? Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu gives a warning and a real life exampleA quiet shift is unfolding in software development as AI builds apps and compilers. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu warns programmers to consider alternative livelihoods. Anish Moonka built a functional app without writing code, highlighting AI's growing capabilities. This rapid progress raises questions about future jobs and human contribution in an AI-driven world.
- AI is the pin popping SaaS inflated balloon: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu on Anthropic shockZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has warned that AI is bursting the “inflated” SaaS bubble, as automation threatens core coding and professional tasks. He said the SaaS sector was already “ripe for consolidation,” citing a business model overly reliant on sales and marketing over product development. Years of venture capital and market hype, he added, have sustained an unsustainable system.
- Why Indian techies dominate leadership roles abroad? Zoho's Sridhar Vembu explains the success formula, rejects ‘perform or perish’ theoryZoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has offered a contrasting explanation for why Indian-origin professionals often rise to leadership positions in global technology companies. Rejecting the idea that extreme academic pressure and a “perform or perish” culture in India drive this success, Vembu argued that long-term organisational loyalty and cultural values play a bigger role. He explained that Indian employees tend to stay with companies for decades, allowing them to gain institutional knowledge and naturally move into senior roles.
- Govt should give a strong push for private sector investment in R&D in the Budget: Zoho cofounder Sridhar VembuZoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu urged the government to push private companies to raise R&D spending through incentives and pressure in the Budget. He warned that GCC-led growth risks exporting talent while intellectual property and profits remain overseas. Zoho, meanwhile, launched its ERP suite and plans further expansion across India.
- Tech sovereignty vital: Sridhar Vembu as Zoho launches made-in-India ERP solutionZoho founder Sridhar Vembu said nations must control core technologies, as software now underpins sovereignty, while launching a homegrown ERP aimed first at Indian businesses. He stressed the firm will stay private, avoiding an IPO so it can keep reinvesting heavily in long-term research and development, without short-term market pressure.
- Sridhar Vembu says India on same path as China, where birth rates have fallen to '250-year-old level'Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu highlighted declining birth rates in China and India, noting Tamil Nadu's steeper fall. He moved to rural India to be near families raising children, considering it a life blessing. Reactions debated the implications of low birth rates, with some emphasizing productivity and community over numbers.
- Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu is ‘blown away’ by power of AI, reveals employee did a team’s job in a monthZoho's Sridhar Vembu revealed an engineer built a complex security tool solo in a month, a task usually taking a team a year, thanks to AI. This highlights AI's power to redefine development speed and individual capability. The incident underscores Zoho's culture of empowering exploration, signaling a broader industry shift towards AI-driven innovation.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu explains why days for college degrees are over, has a request for educated Indian parentsZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has said no college degrees are needed at the Indian software services giant, highlight a trend where students in the US are skipping college and joining the workplace directly. Sridhar Vembu called on Indian parents and companies to pay attention to shifting attitudes toward higher education, adding that this change reflects the “real youth power”.
- Marry in your 20s? IIT Hyderabad students’ changing views about marriage leaves Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu thinkingZoho founder Sridhar Vembu’s advice that young people should marry and have children in their 20s has sparked debate after entrepreneur Upasana Konidela shared her observations from IIT Hyderabad. She noted that male students showed more interest in early marriage, while women appeared more career-focused. Vembu emphasized early family formation as a social and personal responsibility, but online discussions highlighted economic pressures and career priorities as key reasons many young Indians delay marriage.
- Zoho's Arattai set to roll out end-to-end encryption; Vembu urges users to updateArattai, the homegrown messaging platform, is set to introduce end-to-end encryption. This significant update will be enabled on Tuesday night. Users must update their Arattai app to the latest version. Both sender and receiver need the updated app for encrypted chats. Old chat sessions will be archived. Group chats will receive this feature soon.
- India's unthinkable but scary US challenge: Can China show the way?Two prominent industrialists, Harsh Goenka and Sridhar Vembu, warned that India’s heavy reliance on U.S. tech platforms and infrastructure is a strategic vulnerability. While an American shutdown appears unlikely, past events like the 1999 GPS denial show the risk is real. They argue India needs a decade-long national mission to build tech resilience across chips, operating systems, cloud and digital platforms.
- What if Donald Trump bans India from using Google, Instagram, and ChatGPT? As Harsh Goenka's post sparks debate, Zoho's Sridhar Vembu responds with a solutionA hypothetical ban on US tech platforms like Google and Instagram in India has sparked debate. Business tycoon Harsh Goenka raised the question, prompting discussions on India's reliance on foreign technology. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu stressed the need for a decade-long mission to build India's own tech backbone. This highlights a significant dependence on global supply chains and foreign-built technologies.
- Break ‘defeatist’ mental trap: Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu tells Indians to follow this mantra to rise like China in techZoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges Indians to shed 'defeatist' thinking and champion homegrown innovation, citing Zoho's early office tools predating Google's. He emphasizes self-belief as crucial for world-class products, drawing parallels with China's rise. Vembu also unveiled Arattai's refreshed interface, featuring end-to-end encryption options for enhanced user privacy.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu says he bans praise from employees. His reason might surprise youZoho's Sridhar Vembu has a unique company rule. Employees cannot praise the leadership publicly. This principle aims to keep egos in check and promote gratitude. Vembu believes in detaching from admiration and criticism. He finds joy in simple existence. Feedback, even harsh, is valued as a gift. This approach fosters a culture of quiet, consistent purpose.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu warns Indian parents: ‘You are giving way too many vaccines’, links rise in autism to excess vaccinationZoho founder Sridhar Vembu suggests India gives too many infant vaccines, potentially causing a rise in autism. He cites a report linking childhood vaccinations to autism. However, India's medical community, WHO, and CDC strongly reject this. Experts warn such claims can cause vaccine hesitancy, undermining vital public health efforts. Vaccines remain a crucial tool for disease prevention.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu offers solution amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment: Report shows why Indians should return homeZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has urged Indian-origin professionals abroad to return home, responding to new research by economist Daniel Di Martino showing that Indian immigrants contribute the most to their host nations’ economies. Vembu praised their impact, saying “India sent her best,” and called for India to retain and attract back its talent. Amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the West, he asked, “Why stay where you are not welcome?” urging Indians to help build a “strong and prosperous Bharat.”
- Gold 'not an investment'? As yellow metal glitters, Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu sounds a cautious alarmZoho's Sridhar Vembu advises viewing gold as insurance against financial risk, not a typical investment, amidst its 63% surge over the past year. This caution comes as domestic gold prices have dramatically outperformed the Nifty 50, reaching new highs and sparking discussions of further price increases.
- Zoho fasttracks end-to-end encryption for its WhatsApp rival ArattaiZoho is speeding up the rollout of end-to-end encryption for its messaging app Arattai. Legacy cloud storage in Arattai will be turned off to offer these encrypted chats. This move prioritizes user privacy and data security. Zoho has assured users that advertising will never be part of Arattai and user data will not be sold to third parties.
- 60% electricity bill hike: Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu warns that mad rush to lead AI race could be catastrophic for a country like IndiaZoho founder Sridhar Vembu warns that the global race for artificial intelligence may soon lead to significant power shortages and increased electricity prices. He points to rising bills in Athens, Georgia, as an example of AI data centers straining local grids. India's own AI expansion faces similar energy challenges.
- All Zoho products made in India, taxes paid here on global income: Founder Sridhar VembuZoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu clarified that all Zoho products are developed in India, with its global headquarters in Chennai, and taxes paid in India on global income. He stated Indian customer data is hosted domestically, and Zoho services run on company-owned hardware, not major cloud platforms. Vembu reiterated Zoho's "Made in India, Made for the World" commitment.
- Zoho's Arattai moves to add infra after traffic surges 100xZoho's Arattai app saw a 100-fold traffic increase in three days. Daily new sign-ups reached 350,000. Zoho is urgently upgrading its backend systems to handle this growth. Founder Sridhar Vembu emphasized Zoho's commitment to long-term research over short-term profits. He linked this to a reluctance for public listing. A Union Minister endorsed Zoho's indigenous tools.
- IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw switches to Zoho, urges Indians to go Swadeshi; founder Sridhar Vembu respondsZoho (Google Trends): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is transitioning to Zoho, an Indian platform for office productivity, endorsing the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. This move aligns with the government's promotion of indigenous technology and reducing reliance on foreign platforms. Zoho's CEO, Sridhar Vembu, expressed gratitude, viewing it as a morale boost for their engineers.
- 'It’s time, make the bold move': Sridhar Vembu tells Indian techies what to do after Trump’s H-1B visa shockH-1B Visa News: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu advises Indian H-1B visa holders to return home, citing new US visa rules and India's growing opportunities. He draws parallels to the Partition, urging professionals to rebuild their lives in India, which now boasts a thriving tech ecosystem and expanding capital markets. Vembu emphasizes India's need to innovate across sectors to support its large population.
- Zoho founder advises Indians on H-1B visa to 'come back home' after a massive fee hikeZoho founder Sridhar Vembu advises Indian H-1B visa holders in the US to return home following a significant visa fee increase imposed by the US government. Drawing parallels to the Partition of India, he encourages them to view this as an opportunity to rebuild their lives in a thriving Indian tech ecosystem.
- Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges IT workers not to be saddened by new H-1B visa rule: 'Do not live in fear'Following the US's H-1B visa fee hike, Zoho's Sridhar Vembu encourages Indian IT professionals to view this as an opportunity to return home and rebuild their careers in India. Drawing parallels from historical resilience, he emphasizes that challenges can lead to new beginnings and strengthen individuals and families.
- Is AI bubble about to burst? Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu says don’t overhype adoption, ‘good things take timeDespite the AI hype, corporate adoption appears to be slowing, with a US Census Bureau survey indicating a decline among larger companies. Tech giants are reportedly pulling back on major AI investments due to poor returns on pilot projects. Experts caution that investor enthusiasm may be outpacing reality, and the financial consequences of an AI slowdown could be significant.
- India Inc says economy strong amid challengesIndustry chambers highlight India's economic resilience amid global challenges. They advocate for trade diversification and MSME promotion. Focus is on building global alliances and strengthening Brand India. Exporters are urged to enhance domestic competitiveness. Companies are upgrading value chains through technology. Investment in deep tech is crucial for navigating current economic conditions. These steps will help India thrive.
- 'Handwriting a lost art'? Zoho's Rs 50,000 cr man's fear sparks fiery internet debateA debate sparked online after Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu questioned the future of handwriting. Some believe digital tools may make handwriting obsolete. Others passionately defend handwriting, citing its importance for learning and memory. Many still value it as an art form. Some suggest AI can decipher even illegible handwriting. The discussion highlights technology's impact on traditional skills.
- ‘Failing at their job’: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu on programmers submitting AI-generated code without reviewing itIn a post on X, Vembu called himself a moderate to heavy user of AI, and went on to outline his thoughts on its strengths and limitations. According to Vembu, AI has proven to be a far superior learning aid than traditional web search. “My web search has gone down 80% as a direct result,” he wrote, explaining how AI helps him learn faster.
- Don’t copy-paste AI: Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu has a warning for techies, says artificial intelligence ‘could slow us down’ if...Zoho's Sridhar Vembu advises caution with AI, highlighting its potential to boost learning and customer service while warning against over-reliance. He uses AI tools daily, noting benefits like faster learning and enhanced product experiences. However, Vembu stresses the importance of human oversight, especially in code generation, where rigorous reviews are crucial to avoid security risks and maintain professional standards.
- 'Please don't bring up IT jobs' : Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu calls for end to English as a status symbol, advocates teaching in local languageZoho's Sridhar Vembu is advocating for the revival of Indian languages, criticizing the use of English as a status symbol. He believes this mindset creates a talent pool waste and cultural alienation. Vembu proposes education in native languages for all children, citing Zoho's success with Tamil-speaking teams and drawing parallels with other multilingual countries.
- Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu warns students eyeing foreign education: 'Job scene in IT is bad ...'Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu advises against huge education loans. He cites job market instability as a major risk. A student's case highlights the burden of debt with limited job prospects. Vembu urges financial prudence and suggests companies invest in skills training. Zoho focuses on talent development over traditional degrees. Vembu, a Padma Shri recipient, champions creating opportunities in rural India.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu, an IITian with Rs 50,000 cr networth, says kids should learn music, maths, poetry but not for medals. He explains whyZoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges parents to focus on arts, sciences, and culture for children. He believes these shape individuals beyond professional success. Vembu highlights mathematics, music, chess, and cooking as foundational. Exposure, not expertise, is key to nurturing thoughtful minds. Internet users agree that India's heritage is important. They emphasize the practical benefits of these disciplines for well-rounded development.
- 'Study China like a diligent student not American B-schools': Zoho's Sridhar Vembu says Indian intellectuals 'teaching nonsense'Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges India to emulate China's industrial transformation, criticizing the dominance of American business school ideologies in the Indian corporate world. He slammed Indian intellectuals for promoting consumerism among the poor, advocating instead for prioritizing production and job creation.
- ‘Socialism failed spectacularly in India’: Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu on why the word should be removed from ConstitutionZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has questioned the relevance of socialism in India's Constitution, advocating for its removal. This follows similar calls from RSS figures for a national debate on the inclusion of 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble, added during the Emergency. However, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed secularism as a core part of the Constitution's basic structure.
- Follow Singapore: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu shares how making cars costlier by Rs 67 lakh can solve Bengaluru-like traffic woesZoho founder Sridhar Vembu emphasizes the need for sustainable urban planning in India. He suggests Singapore as a model, highlighting its public transport reliance and car ownership restrictions. Vembu notes Indian cities' higher density. He stresses that extensive public transport is essential for livability. Vembu expresses optimism that it is achievable. This approach can transform Indian cities.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu on how to make Indian cities livable like Singapore that limits car ownership through certificatesZoho's Sridhar Vembu advocates for extensive public transport networks in Indian cities, drawing inspiration from Singapore's successful model of limiting car ownership through policy. This comes amidst criticism of Bengaluru's tunnel road project, with concerns raised that it favors car owners over mass transit solutions.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu shares ideal formula to solve Bengaluru, Mumbai traffic woes, and it's hidden in towns like Nagpur, KanpurBengaluru and Mumbai are facing traffic issues. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu suggests smaller cities. He believes cities with 1 to 2 lakh people are optimal. This makes public transport effective. He mentions Nagpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow as examples. Indian cities like Kolkata and Bengaluru have slow traffic. Vembu argues large cities need huge infrastructure investment.
- Zoho's Rs 50,000 crore founder has a unique solution to India's traffic problems, suggests 'optimal city size'Zoho's Sridhar Vembu proposes a radical shift in India's urban planning, advocating for massive public transportation investments to combat traffic congestion. He argues that infrastructure costs grow disproportionately with city size, making megacities economically unsustainable. Vembu champions smaller cities, between 100,000 and 250,000, as a more balanced and sustainable model for urban development, reflecting Zoho's strategic placement in such towns.
- They don't speak perfect English, not obsessed with JEE or NEET coaching: Zoho's Rs 50,000 crore founder backs rural India's talentZoho founder Sridhar Vembu champions the untapped potential of rural India, advocating for nurturing raw talent beyond traditional academic paths. He emphasizes investing in individuals with a strong eagerness to learn, regardless of prior experience. Vembu's approach sparks a conversation about recognizing and cultivating brilliance in modest settings, offering a radical rethinking of where future tech pioneers may emerge.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu slams elite universities: Says smart people rationalize ‘meta-stupidity’. Social media eruptsZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has ignited debate by using the words “meta-stupidity” to describe how elite institutions become echo chambers. He argues that smart people often rationalize flawed systems instead of challenging them, reinforcing stagnation. His viral post warns that prestige and consensus may be prioritizing conformity over innovation, sparking wide-ranging reactions across social media.
- AI at work: Job cuts and tech leader opinionsWhile many corporate heads say that AI will replace jobs and even change the nature of work itself, there are some who say that AI-led models have led to a fall in service quality, and so it’s imperative that investing in the quality of human support is the way forward. One thing is clear, though: employees will need to learn to live with AI in their areas of work.
- ‘Life Is a Gift’: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu after narrow escape as tree collapses right after he walks byZoho founder Sridhar Vembu shared a reflective moment after witnessing a fallen palm tree, a species known for its resilience against cyclones, succumb to monsoon winds due to a weakened base. This prompted him to contemplate life's fragility and the importance of gratitude. Vembu's message resonated with many, drawing reflections on life's unpredictability and the need to appreciate blessings.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu predicts what could happen if AI takes over coding, and techies become joblessZoho's Sridhar Vembu believes AI automation won't eliminate jobs but highlights potential economic challenges if governments fail to address income distribution. He suggests that while AI may lead to cheaper goods, the crucial issue is ensuring people can afford them without steady income. Vembu urges governments to tackle monopolies and focus on economic distribution rather than solely relying on technology.
- If AI codes all software and even takes away factory jobs, Zoho's Sridhar Vembu says humans will still have no shortage of workZoho founder Sridhar Vembu sparked debate on X by imagining a future where AI takes over all jobs. In his post, he questioned whether human life would still have meaning without work, but expressed hope that people would continue to find purpose beyond employment. His reflections on human value and AI's impact on society triggered a wave of reactions online, with some agreeing and others raising concerns.
- Sridhar Vembu on AI automation economy: Why robots won’t kill jobs, but may bankrupt the middle classZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has said that artificial intelligence is unlikely to trigger mass job losses but could deepen economic inequality if governments fail to act. In a detailed post on X, he argued that the real risk lies in monopolistic tech firms hoarding the benefits of automation. He urged policymakers to focus on fair economic distribution and warned that only human-centric jobs, such as caregiving and farming, might hold future value. “Policy, not AI, will decide who wins,” he said.
- Economics, not job loss, is real challenge of AI and automation: Sridhar VembuArtificial intelligence may automate software development. Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu says job loss isn't the main concern. The real issue is economic adaptation. Vembu suggests two solutions. Goods produced by automation could become nearly free. Human work like caregiving may become highly paid. Vembu emphasizes the role of political economy. Strong regulation is needed to avoid monopolies.
- '40 IIT selections': Zoho's Sridhar Vembu is super impressed with this small village in Bihar known as IIT factoryPatwa Toli in Bihar is famous for sending many students to IIT every year. This year, 40 students cleared the IIT entrance exam. The village was once known for textile weaving. Now it is known for its academic achievements. A strong community support system helps students prepare for the exams. Alumni also return to guide the next generation.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu says one skill can still help software developers beat AI. How to learn?Sridhar Vembu, Zoho founder, shared his perspective on software development and AI. He emphasized the importance of human intuition and creativity. He cautioned against blindly relying on AI, which could lead to unmanageable code. Vembu highlighted Zoho's use of AI in its products and internal operations. Social media users discussed the future of programming skills.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu asks the question every techie fears: Will JavaScript, C, HTML/CSS survive AI?Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has ignited a debate about the longevity of core technologies like C and SQL, questioning their suitability for the next century. He highlights the complexity of modern web development and suggests AI could drive a shift away from legacy systems. The discussion sparked online, with users pondering the future of tech and human control.
- AI may turn legacy codebases into liabilities: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu“If AI makes us 100x productive, why not rewrite the whole thing with AI help?” Vembu asked. The comment points to a possible shift in enterprise software strategy, where companies could find it more practical to rebuild systems from the ground up using AI rather than continue maintaining legacy codebases.
- Sridhar Vembu has a scary warning for techies, says coders may become liabilities than assets soon if...Sridhar Vembu, Zoho's billionaire, warns coders about AI's growing capabilities. He suggests AI might make rewriting entire codebases efficient. This raises concerns about the value of existing code. Some developers are already using AI for complete rewrites. They find it faster than fixing old code. Vembu's post sparked debate about the future of coding.
- Rs 5,000 crore self-made man warns: Avoid EMI, AI won’t just kill IT jobs, no one is safeZoho's Sridhar Vembu and Dr. A Velumani are cautioning India's workforce about the AI revolution. They warn that high-paying tech jobs are at risk due to AI and automation. Vembu advises software engineers to be prepared, while Velumani emphasizes that disruption can affect any profession, urging financial prudence and vigilance.
- 'Bengaluru aspires to join the first world, but...': Sridhar Vembu explains why growth in India's IT capital is killing itself amid flooded streetsBengaluru’s future is deeply entangled with India’s rural reality. Billionaire Sridhar Vembu has highlighted how unchecked rural migration, fuelled by economic imbalance and poor infrastructure, threatens to overwhelm the city. From underpaid farm work to overloaded hospitals, the gap between rural and urban India is widening. In a detailed post, Vembu calls for a rural manufacturing revolution to fix this divide and ease pressure on cities like Bengaluru, which are buckling under their own growth. His diagnosis is economic—and urgent.
- Bengaluru blooms while villages bleed: Rs 10,000 crore man says IT haven's growth is fuelled by rural declineSridhar Vembu points out the economic disparity between urban and rural India. He says rural areas face a trade deficit due to low value addition in agriculture. Vembu suggests this imbalance fuels migration to cities like Bengaluru. He advocates for a rural manufacturing revolution to address the issue.
- Techies, your fat pay and even job in danger: IITian CEO joins Zoho's Sridhar Vembu in sounding the alarmTech leaders are warning software engineers against complacency as AI advancements and economic shifts threaten the industry's status quo. Sridhar Vembu highlights the potential impact of AI-driven tools on software development, while others point to a broader economic realignment favoring foundational sectors. Social media reflects concerns about job security and the need for adaptability in a changing landscape.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu warns software engineers: Don’t take high salaries for grantedZoho's Sridhar Vembu cautions software engineers against complacency, suggesting that high salaries in the tech sector aren't guaranteed. He emphasizes the need to deliver value and warns that emerging AI technologies, like LLMs, could significantly reduce the demand for traditional software development roles. Vembu urges professionals to remain vigilant and adapt to the evolving landscape.
- Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu warns of LLM-led job disruption in software developmentVembu’s remarks align with growing global apprehensions about AI-induced job displacement. In April, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated that up to 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected by AI. The Economic Survey 2024-25 also raised this issue, highlighting the rapid progression of AI technology and its disruptive effects on the labour market.
- Hot day, missing remote: Rs 50,000 cr man, Sridhar Vembu, shares 'smart fan' problems. Netizen’s hilarious 3-step fix wins the internetZoho's Sridhar Vembu humorously shared his frustration on X about the overly complicated process of turning on a 'smart' fan in his office, sparking widespread reactions. A netizen's witty three-step solution, involving a deity's photo, particularly amused the internet. The incident ignited a conversation about the practicality and user-friendliness of modern technology.
- Zoho suspends $700 million chipmaking plan in latest setback for India, sources sayIndian software firm Zoho has paused its $700 million chip manufacturing plan. The company struggled to find a technology partner for the complex processes. This is a setback for India's ambition to become a global chip hub. Billionaire Gautam Adani's group has also paused chip project discussions. Zoho planned a $400 million facility in Karnataka.
- UPI is great but what else? IIT and Princeton alum, Zoho's Sridhar Vembu, grades India on innovationZoho founder Sridhar Vembu has critically assessed India's innovation ecosystem, highlighting strengths in process innovation but weaknesses in product and technology innovation. He also points out the lack of scientific breakthroughs. Vembu's analysis sparked online discussions about talent export, the focus of younger generations, and product design priorities, emphasizing the need for government support in scientific research.
- Zoho’s new office has a perk: Code by the pond. Techies ask founder Sridhar Vembu are you hiring?Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu shared images of the company's Tenkasi campus, showcasing its unique design that integrates nature into the workspace. The office features courtyards that transform into ponds during monsoon, creating a tranquil environment. Vembu also addressed the talent availability in rural India, emphasizing the potential within these communities and Zoho's strategy for nurturing it.
- Forget Bengaluru or Pune. Zoho's Sridhar Vembu believes villages, small towns could be future of Indian ITSridhar Vembu believes rural India has abundant talent. He argues companies should invest in these areas. Vembu suggests starting with experienced professionals willing to relocate. His own Tenkasi office proves this model works. Many agree, seeing potential for reverse migration. They want to create opportunities in smaller towns. This can reduce urban overcrowding and pollution.
- At age 25, he chose software, not his top 3 career choices. Now, he is worth Rs 50,000 crore.Sridhar Vembu, the Zoho founder, reminisced about his childhood ambitions, from being a train driver to a cricketer, before finding his passion in software after 25. Despite initial dreams, he realized his limitations in cricket and academics, ultimately embracing software development. Vembu's journey highlights that passion can be discovered and cultivated, leading to unexpected success and fulfillment.
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu warns there is still a chance to protect your income before AI takes away your jobZoho CEO Sridhar Vembu advises caution regarding claims of massive job displacement due to AI, citing research indicating limited current impact on the labor market. A study from Denmark reveals that despite AI adoption, productivity and job markets haven't significantly shifted. While AI tools create new tasks, users suggest focusing on upskilling and leveraging existing technologies for optimal effectiveness.
- Even ₹50,000‑crore man Sridhar Vembu has regrets, and it’s over a ₹20 snackZoho co‑founder Sridhar Vembu, worth over ₹50,000 crore, surprised everyone by trying Mumbai’s iconic ₹20 vada pav for the first time. Sharing his delight on social media, he joined other high‑profile fans like Tim Cook and Mukesh Ambani in praising the “Indian burger.” Vembu’s humble snack revelation highlights that even life’s simplest pleasures can transcend wealth.
- ‘Take back what is ours’: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu shares Sindhi bizman’s post calling to reclaim PoK, Balochistan after Pahalgam terror attackFollowing the Pahalgam massacre, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu highlighted the persistent dangers facing India, linking the recent terror attack to historical traumas of Partition and displacement. Vembu's remarks, prompted by entrepreneur Prakash Dadlani's account of his family's Partition experience, sparked a national conversation about security threats and reclaiming lost territories for the safety of countrymen.