Zoho Ventures into Eastern UP with New R&D Hub

In a strategic move to expand its presence, Zoho, the renowned Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider, has announced plans to set up a research and development (R&D) facility in eastern Uttar Pradesh by the end of this year. This initiative marks Zoho's first major foray into rural northern India.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu shared the news on X, expressing his vision of establishing a meaningful presence across India. "We are going to eastern UP this year, our first major rural expedition north. I wish we could have a meaningful presence everywhere, and maybe over the next 20 years we will get there. That is my dream," he stated, emphasizing the untapped potential in rural areas.

Vembu highlighted the vast talent pool waiting for opportunities in Bharat and Zoho's goal of creating world-class R&D capabilities wherever they expand. He noted that this approach differs from scaling up manufacturing plants, focusing instead on harnessing local intellectual resources.

Reflecting on previous successes, Vembu mentioned Zoho's AI R&D center in Kottarakara, Kerala, launched in collaboration with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) earlier this year.

Additionally, Zoho has submitted a proposal to the Indian government for incentives to support the establishment of a semiconductor fab plant. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Tamil Nadu, Zoho serves businesses in 150 countries, competing with industry giants like Microsoft and Salesforce.

News by Rahul Yelligetti