**Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Reflects on Two Decades of Perseverance and Homegrown Tech Success**
In 2007, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu revisited an old news article that questioned whether his fledgling company could challenge Microsoft in the then-burgeoning web-based office software space. Nearly two decades later, amid a national push for indigenous technology under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swadeshi” initiative, Zoho is finally witnessing accelerated adoption — a vindication of Vembu’s philosophy of perseverance over quick wins.
The post, shared by Vembu on X, features a screenshot of the CNET article titled *“Working Webware: Can Zoho steal Microsoft’s customers?”* dated November 29, 2007. Reflecting on the years since, Vembu wrote:
> “Five years, ten years after this article, we had clearly failed to make any dent in the market. That is why we say ‘Your life’s work, powered by our life’s work’ on our website. Find your life’s work and do it. Then stop worrying about success. Staying alive while doing our life’s work, that is success for us.”
This poignant message underscores Zoho’s ethos of building sustainable tools for creators and businesses, rather than chasing viral hype.
### A Pivotal Moment for Zoho amid Government Endorsements
Vembu’s reflection comes at a pivotal moment. High-profile endorsements from Indian government leaders signal a strategic shift toward homegrown tech solutions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced his switch to Zoho Mail for official communications and urged others to follow suit, encouraging a move away from global giants like Google and Microsoft.
Similarly, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made headlines by using Zoho Show — Zoho’s cloud-based presentation tool — for a cabinet briefing on Union Cabinet decisions. He explicitly promoted it as part of the “Swadeshi ka Sankalp” (Resolve for Indigenous) campaign, sharing a clip on X with the caption:
> “Switch to Swadeshi! Cabinet briefing using Zoho Show.”
These moves align seamlessly with Modi’s broader call for self-reliance in technology, amplified by the BJP’s three-month “Har Ghar Swadeshi” drive. This nationwide campaign encourages households and offices alike to adopt Indian alternatives, strengthening the local tech ecosystem.
### Zoho’s Rise Fueled by Deliberate Growth and Market Adoption
Zoho’s growth trajectory, though deliberate and steady, is now gaining significant momentum. As of 2025, Landbase reports that over 106,000 verified companies worldwide rely on Zoho’s suite of tools, spanning CRM, email, and collaboration software.
In its Q1 update, Zoho claims Zoho CRM alone boasts more than 300,000 business users, reflecting stable growth compared to 2024. The company’s small and medium enterprise (SME) segment has seen particularly robust expansion, with 40 percent year-on-year customer growth in the first half of 2025 alone.
Overall, Zoho’s ecosystem now serves tens of millions of users globally. Its office suite — including Zoho Show for presentations — is increasingly integrated into workflows for document creation, spreadsheets, and more.
### Arattai Sees Massive Growth Following Government Support
A standout performer in Zoho’s portfolio is Arattai, its secure messaging app launched in 2021 as a “simple, easy-to-use” alternative for personal and group chats. In September 2025, following government endorsements, Arattai experienced explosive growth. Daily sign-ups surged 100-fold from around 3,000 to over 350,000. User traffic similarly skyrocketed, positioning it as a serious contender in India’s messaging market.
However, experts note that to sustain momentum against established rivals like WhatsApp, Arattai will need to add critical features such as end-to-end encryption.
### A Story Rooted in Frugal Innovation and Enduring Impact
This resurgence is deeply rooted in Sridhar Vembu’s frugal innovation mindset — a philosophy shaped by his rural Tamil Nadu upbringing and an aversion to Silicon Valley excess. For Vembu, success isn’t measured by quarterly valuations or rapid startups hype, but through enduring, positive impact.
As Zoho powers more “life’s work” — from startups to government ministries — the early doubters may finally be witnessing the lasting dent the company has made in the market.
In an era marked by geopolitical tech tensions, Zoho’s journey is a testament to patient, principled building and self-reliance.
### Public Reaction to Vembu’s Reflection
Users across social platforms have been reacting warmly to Vembu’s emotional post, showering it with praise and accolades. One user aptly commented:
> “Good things take time.”
We couldn’t agree more.
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*Zoho’s story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, focus on meaningful work, and commitment to indigenous innovation can change the tech landscape — one thoughtful step at a time.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/tech/zoho-founder-sridhar-vembu-reflects-on-20-years-of-hard-work-after-rapid-adoption-netizens-react-good-things-take-time