'A new chapter': Sridhar Vembu steps down as CEO of Zoho Corp, to take on new role as Chief Scientist

Sridhar Vembu, the founder of Zoho Corp, has announced his decision to step down as CEO of the software giant. In a post on X, Vembu revealed that he would now focus on spearheading research and development initiatives in his new role as Chief Scientist. He also reiterated his commitment to his rural development mission.

In his announcement, Vembu stated that co-founder Shailesh Kumar Davey would take over as Group CEO, while Tony Thomas, another co-founder, would lead Zoho’s US operations. Rajesh Ganesan will head the ManageEngine division, and Mani Vembu will oversee the Zoho.com division.

Elaborating on his decision, Vembu highlighted the critical role research and development would play in Zoho's future. "The future of our company entirely depends on how well we navigate the R&D challenge, and I am looking forward to my new assignment with energy and vigor. I am also very happy to get back to hands-on technical work," he said.

"A new chapter begins today. In view of the various challenges and opportunities facing us, including recent major developments in AI, it has been decided that it is best that I should focus full time on R&D initiatives, along with pursuing my personal rural development mission," Vembu said.

Vembu, renowned for his dedication to rural empowerment and sustainable development, co-founded Zoho (formerly AdventNet) alongside his siblings and three friends. Armed with a PhD in electrical engineering from Princeton University, he began his career at Qualcomm in 1994. Today, Zoho boasts a sprawling 385-acre campus in Austin, Texas, a former farm turned innovation hub.

In December 2024, Vembu sparked a national conversation over work culture when he criticized the idea of a '70-hour work week,' warning against its potential to trigger demographic decline. His comments contrasted sharply with Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s advocacy for longer work hours to leverage India’s demographic dividend and compete with economies like China.

Zoho continues to be a global leader in software innovation, with Vembu’s new role poised to drive the company’s technological breakthroughs.