Sridhar Vembu, the man behind Zoho Corp, has made the decision to step down as CEO and take on a new position within the company. In a recent post on social media platform X, he shared that he will now be focusing on research and development as Zoho’s “chief scientist.” Vembu expressed that this change marks the beginning of a new chapter for him, emphasizing the need to tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by recent advancements in AI. He believes that dedicating his efforts to R&D, alongside his personal mission for rural development, is the best path forward. As part of this transition, he has passed the group CEO baton to Shailesh Kumar Davey, another co-founder of Zoho. Additionally, Tony Thomas will lead the company’s US operations, while Rajesh Ganesan will manage the Manage Engine division, and Mani Vembu will oversee Zoho.com. Vembu highlighted that the company’s future hinges on its ability to effectively navigate R&D challenges, particularly in the realm of AI, and he is eager to dive back into hands-on technical work. Zoho Corp, based in Chennai, India, has built a reputation for its diverse range of business software, including CRM and project management tools, and has grown into a global player under Vembu’s guidance.
