Meet Zoho
Over 25 years ago, a visionary SaaS company entered the market, and since then, they’ve become a globally recognised brand, revolutionising the way businesses operate. But, what precisely, is Zoho, and what’s their story?
What is Zoho?
Zoho crafts world-leading cloud software that enables businesses to operate in a slicker, smarter way. Zoho software can help you run every aspect of your business – including your finances, HR, recruitment, CRM, analytics, social media marketing and more.
Over 25 years, Zoho has emerged as a global leader and pioneer in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) market – competing toe-to-toe with the likes of Google, HubSpot and Microsoft.
Zoho now have 80,000,000+ customers, globally.
Zoho now have 80,000,000+ customers, globally.
Back to the beginning
The Zoho story began in a small apartment in the suburbs of Chennai, India…
Tech graduate Sridhar Vembu started the business with a small group of his siblings and friends in 1996. Their goal was simple: to develop smart tech that helps businesses become more successful. The young entrepreneurs had limited funds but bucket-loads of ideas, tech know-how and enthusiasm.
In the early years, the business (originally called AdventNet Inc) provided network management – building its customer base in the US and expanding into the lucrative Japanese markets. But, with the dotcom bubble bursting in 2001, the business spotted the potential in online software applications, initially focusing on customer relationship management. More than 25 years later, Zoho is now a world leader in this field.
The brains behind the business
Founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu was born in India in 1968. He moved to the US in 1989 to pursue his postgraduate studies before taking up a job as a wireless engineer in California.
Sridhar saw the potential in developing software that help businesses work in a smarter way – an idea that has ultimately produced one of India’s most successful businesses.
He still holds a majority stake in Zoho and has famously never accepted a penny of investment from venture capitalists. Sridhar is well known for his commitment to social causes, supporting rural communities in India and providing employment opportunities for young people from remote areas.
Having moved back to India in recent years, Sridhar now lives in Mathalamparai, a small village in Tamil Nadu – proof that you can run a successful global business from anywhere in the world.
Putting customers before short-term profits
As a privately owned business, with no shareholders or investors, Zoho has the freedom to innovate, test new ideas and focus on long-term development rather than obsessing over short-term profits.
The firm invests twice as much in R&D and product development than sales and marketing – always prioritising customers’ needs.
“Our mantra has always been to invest in people and products. That’s why most of our investments go towards R&D.”
– Sridhar Vembu, Zoho CEO
“Our mantra has always been to invest in people and products. That’s why most of our investments go towards R&D.”
– Sridhar Vembu, Zoho CEO
World-beating software, at a fair price
You can choose from more than 55+ Zoho apps designed to meet every business need.
Zoho CRM was the very first app in the product range. Launched in 2006, this award-winning software helps sales teams reach more prospects and close deals faster. It remains one of the most popular Zoho products today – and is frequently voted top CRM in industry awards. Other products in the portfolio include Zoho Projects, Zoho Books, Zoho Mail and Zoho People.
In 2017, Zoho One was unveiled. This brings together some of Zoho’s most popular apps in one package. Using Zoho One, you can manage invoicing, inventory management, marketing and customer services from a single system – available at an astonishingly low price.
Zoho takes pride in offering world-beating cloud software at a reasonable cost – putting the customer first, always.
World-beating software, at a fair price
You can choose from more than 55+ Zoho apps designed to meet every business need.
Zoho CRM was the very first app in the product range. Launched in 2006, this award-winning software helps sales teams reach more prospects and close deals faster. It remains one of the most popular Zoho products today – and is frequently voted top CRM in industry awards. Other products in the portfolio include Zoho Projects, Zoho Books, Zoho Mail and Zoho People.
In 2017, Zoho One was unveiled. This brings together some of Zoho’s most popular apps in one package. Using Zoho One, you can manage invoicing, inventory management, marketing and customer services from a single system – available at an astonishingly low price.
Zoho takes pride in offering world-beating cloud software at a reasonable cost – putting the customer first, always.
World-beating software, at a fair price
You can choose from more than 55+ Zoho apps designed to meet every business need.
Zoho CRM was the very first app in the product range. Launched in 2006, this award-winning software helps sales teams reach more prospects and close deals faster. It remains one of the most popular Zoho products today – and is frequently voted top CRM in industry awards. Other products in the portfolio include Zoho Projects, Zoho Books, Zoho Mail and Zoho People.
In 2017, Zoho One was unveiled. This brings together some of Zoho’s most popular apps in one package. Using Zoho One, you can manage invoicing, inventory management, marketing and customer services from a single system – available at an astonishingly low price.
Zoho takes pride in offering world-beating cloud software at a reasonable cost – putting the customer first, always.
Protecting your privacy
Zoho has always been obsessive about protecting customer data – long before GDPR and other privacy laws were even heard of.
As a Zoho customer, you’ll always have 100% control and ownership of your own data. Zoho never sells customer data to third parties or shows ads inside its products.
Since Zoho maintains, develops and owns its applications, services, hardware and data centres, the business is able to deliver a superior customer experience and provide greater assurance on data security.
Learn more about Zoho’s stance on data privacy and protection.
Putting people first
Zoho invests heavily in its people. The company has a people-first culture that empowers employees and treats them with respect – recognising that people do their best work when they are supported and rewarded fairly.
Many of Zoho’s employees have worked for the business for much, if not all, of their working lives – proving that a long-term investment in people often leads to long-term employees.
There is a strong focus on developing talent and skills within the business but also developing future talent. Zoho recruits many employees from non-traditional backgrounds, valuing the broader skills and attributes that people bring beyond university qualifications.
Nurturing future tech pioneers
Giving back to the community has always been part of the fabric of Zoho’s culture and values.
Zoho has a longstanding commitment to supporting young people with limited access to education opportunities. The Zoho Schools of Learning equip young people with hands-on software engineering skills to get them job ready.
There are no tuition fees and all students receive a stipend. Students are automatically enrolled as Zoho employees when they successfully complete their training.
The schools have proved hugely successful – with more than 1400 students graduating since its launch in 2005. Around 10% of Zoho employees now come from Zoho Schools.
Developing talent in rural communities
People in many rural communities often face barriers to finding employment. Zoho is working hard to change that.
Zoho’s philosophy is that world-leading software can be developed from anywhere in the world – wherever you are based. And the business is keen to recruit top talent from often-overlooked communities.
In recent years, Zoho has opened more than 20 small, mostly rural, offices across India – opening up employment opportunities to many people in remote parts of the country. This satellite office model also gives employees a better work-life balance, enabling them to work closer to home and avoid long, costly commutes.
Zoho has ambitious plans to expand this initiative even further.
“In five years, 50 percent of our employees will work from smaller, rural centres. We want to keep people rooted in their towns and villages, and provide world-class jobs in these places.”
“In five years, 50 percent of our employees will work from smaller, rural centres. We want to keep people rooted in their towns and villages, and provide world-class jobs in these places.”
– Sridhar Vembu, Zoho CEO
Trusted by:
