Zoho Backs “Sovereign Tech” with Major Investment

Zoho Corporation has announced a ₹70 crore (approx. £6.6 million) investment in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The move is designed to bring a shift towards digital independence and democratic commerce,

This investment is not just about funding. Instead, it is a strategic commitment to building “sovereign technology.” By supporting open digital infrastructure, Zoho is helping to dismantle the structural barriers. Such barriers that often prevent smaller businesses from competing with global giants.

Democratising the Digital Market

The ONDC initiative is designed to create an “open-network” approach to commerce. Unlike traditional, closed platforms, this model enables interoperability. Therefore, businesses of all sizes can participate in the digital economy without being locked into a single ecosystem.

For the Professional Services and Technology sectors, this represents a shift in how market access is managed. Specifically, Sivaramakrishnan Iswaran, CEO of Zoho Payment Technologies, noted that conventional platforms rarely align with the unique needs of SMEs. In contrast, ONDC gives power back to the business owner.

Proven Scale and Industrial Impact

The scale of this “Digital Public Infrastructure” is already significant. In the 2025–26 financial year, the network enabled 218 million transactions. Its impact spans multiple sectors relevant to the UK industrial landscape:

Logistics: The network scaled fleet allocation models by 50 times in just six months, significantly improving earnings for gig workers and efficiency for providers.

Retail & Trade: Over 10,000 local stores were digitised within months of launch, proving that traditional trade can be rapidly modernised.

Public Infrastructure: Beyond e-commerce, the technology now powers ticketing across nine metro systems, demonstrating its versatility.

A Vision for Nation Building

Zoho’s investment aligns with its long-standing philosophy that the private sector must play an active role in “nation building.” By integrating its own suite of applications, including Zoho Books and Zoho Inventory, with the ONDC network, Zoho is providing the practical tools businesses need to bridge the digital gap.

As we recently saw with the NatWest Outlook, the “upside growth potential” of the technology sector is vast. This move by Zoho proves that when technology is accessible, flexible, and inclusive, it doesn’t just support individual businesses. It strengthens the entire economic infrastructure.