Founder of Zoho Corporation, Sridhar Vembu, has announced his decision to step down as the CEO of the globally recognized SaaS company. He will now take on the role of “Chief Scientist” to focus entirely on research and development (R&D) initiatives. This leadership change comes as Zoho adapts to rapid advancements in technology, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.
A New Leadership Chapter at Zoho
Vembu shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “A new chapter begins today. It has been decided that I should focus full-time on R&D initiatives, along with pursuing my personal rural development mission.” With this shift, Shailesh Kumar Davey, a co-founder of Zoho, will assume the position of group CEO.
Additionally, Tony Thomas, another co-founder, will lead Zoho’s U.S. operations. Rajesh Ganesan will take charge of ManageEngine, Zoho’s IT management division, while Mani Vembu will oversee Zoho.com.
Sridhar Vembu Vision for R&D
Vembu, who holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University, founded Zoho as a cloud-based business software provider. The company has grown into one of India’s most successful tech enterprises, remaining privately owned and driven by a diverse product range.
In his new role, Vembu aims to focus on “deep R&D” to ensure Zoho stays competitive in the rapidly evolving tech industry. “The future of our company entirely depends on how well we navigate the R&D challenge,” he said. Vembu also expressed excitement about returning to hands-on technical work, which he believes is crucial for Zoho’s innovation goals.
Sustainable Development
Beyond business, Vembu is known for his dedication to social impact. He runs Zoho University, an in-house training program that equips students directly out of high school with skills for the tech industry. Many graduates of this program are absorbed into Zoho’s workforce.
In addition, Vembu funds a school for rural children in Tamil Nadu, aligning with his mission to promote rural development alongside technological innovation.
Zoho has become a symbol of India’s homegrown tech success, offering a wide range of business software solutions. The company’s leadership restructuring reflects its commitment to staying ahead in a competitive market by prioritizing innovation and sustainability.
Under Vembu’s new role, Zoho aims to explore advanced technologies and expand its capabilities to meet future challenges. With a strong foundation and a clear focus on R&D, the company is poised to continue its growth trajectory.
