Zoho Invests INR 70 Cr in ONDC to Boost Sovereign Tech Development

Zoho Corporation, a Chennai-based global tech company, has invested INR 70 crore in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), in a move aimed at supporting the development of sovereign technology infrastructure in India. The investment reflects Zoho’s broader focus on enabling accessible and inclusive digital solutions for businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The company said the funding will help expand ONDC’s ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of open digital networks, allowing more businesses to participate in the country’s growing digital economy. ONDC is working to build interoperable digital commerce rails that reduce entry barriers, improve efficiency and create equal opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

“India’s economy depends heavily on MSMEs, yet they face challenges on all fronts from limited market access to structural constraints imposed by conventional digital platforms,” said Sivaramakrishnan Iswaran, CEO of Zoho Payment Technologies and Global Head of Finance and Operations BU at Zoho. “ONDC gives power back to MSMEs, enabling them to expand their customer reach and achieve sustainable growth.”

“Zoho shares with ONDC its philosophy of building sovereign technology to champion accessibility, flexibility, and inclusion of business of every size. We believe the private sector must play its part in nation building,” he added.

ONDC has been expanding its footprint across sectors such as retail, logistics, mobility and financial services. In FY 2025-26, the network enabled 218 million transactions, highlighting its growing adoption. Initiatives like DigiDukaan have onboarded over 10,000 kirana stores within months, while order volumes for farmers, artisans and rural sellers have seen significant growth.

Zoho has already been supporting MSME digitisation through its suite of applications, including Zoho Books, Zoho Inventory and Zoho Commerce, along with Vikra a seller app on the ONDC network. The latest investment is expected to further strengthen these efforts and drive wider adoption.

Founded in 1996, Zoho Corporation claims to serve over 150 million users globally and operates 20 data centres worldwide, focusing on data privacy, security and full-stack technology ownership.