Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Sridhar Vembu: Zoho Founder and Arattai Creator
Sridhar Vembu is a successful entrepreneur from India who started a company called Zoho.
He is also the creator of a new messaging app called Arattai, which means casual conversation in Tamil.
Unlike other apps, Arattai focuses on keeping user data private and does not show ads.
Vembu is known for his strong opinions on privacy and technology.
He chose to live and work in a small village in Tamil Nadu instead of a big city, proving that great software can be made anywhere.
He also started a program called Zoho Schools of Learning to train students in software skills without traditional college degrees.
Arattai has recently gained popularity due to its privacy features and support from public figures.
Sridhar Vembu is the founder of Zoho and creator of the privacy-focused messaging app Arattai.
He completed his engineering degree from IIT Madras and earned a PhD from Princeton University.
Vembu chose to live and work in rural Tamil Nadu to promote talent and reduce costs.
Zoho was built without external investors, focusing on steady and sustainable growth.
Arattai offers features like personal and group chats, voice and video calls, and broadcast channels with a privacy-first approach.
- Who
- Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho and creator of Arattai
- What
- A privacy-focused messaging app called Arattai
- When
- Arattai gained attention in late 2025
- Where
- Developed and operated from rural Tamil Nadu, India
- Why
- To promote privacy, rural development, and sustainable business growth
- Name
- Sridhar Vembu
- Education
- IIT Madras, Princeton University (PhD)
- Company
- Zoho
- App
- Arattai
- Location
- Rural Tamil Nadu, India
- Key Focus
- Privacy and rural development
- App Features
- End-to-end encryption, no ads, no data monetization
- Growth Strategy
- Steady, sustainable growth without external funding