Indian SaaS giant Zoho has invested ₹70 crore in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), marking a major step toward building India’s sovereign digital infrastructure and reducing dependence on foreign-controlled ecommerce ecosystems.
The investment highlights Zoho’s growing focus on supporting open digital networks that empower Indian businesses, startups, and local sellers through decentralized technology platforms. ONDC, backed by the Government of India, aims to democratize digital commerce by creating an open network where buyers and sellers can connect freely across multiple apps and platforms.
According to reports, Zoho’s funding will help ONDC strengthen its infrastructure, expand network capabilities, and accelerate adoption among merchants and technology partners across the country.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has consistently advocated for India-owned technology ecosystems and digital independence. The investment aligns with Zoho’s long-term vision of building sustainable and sovereign technology infrastructure within India rather than relying heavily on global tech monopolies.
ONDC was launched to challenge the dominance of major ecommerce platforms by allowing businesses of all sizes to participate in digital commerce without being locked into a single marketplace. The network already supports sectors including food delivery, retail shopping, logistics, mobility, and financial services.
Industry experts believe Zoho’s investment could encourage more Indian technology companies to support ONDC and accelerate the development of a more open and competitive ecommerce ecosystem. The move is also being viewed as a significant boost for India’s broader digital public infrastructure initiatives.
As India continues investing in homegrown technology networks, partnerships between companies like Zoho and organizations such as Open Network for Digital Commerce may play a crucial role in shaping the future of the country’s digital economy.
