Zoho Latest Indian Firm To Apply For Semiconductor Venture

The project is currently in its developmental stages and Zoho is evaluating various options and conducting feasibility studies with partners as well as finalising the location of the project.

In a boost to India's self-reliance in the semiconductor sector, Zoho Corporation's semiconductor venture has submitted its application to the government. While details are yet to be revealed, the tech firm indicated that a comprehensive evaluation is currently in progress, covering various aspects of the project, the company has said. The project is currently in its developmental stages and the software major is evaluating various options and conducting feasibility studies with partners as well as finalising the location of the project.

The company's team is engaged in extensive partner selection processes. This includes identifying potential collaborators across different sectors, from technology providers to local stakeholders. "We're in the process of finalising our technology and partnerships," Sridhar Vembu, Co-Founder and CEO of Zoho Corp has said. 

What Is India Semiconductor Mission

Notably, firms like Micron Technology, Tata Electronics Power Limited and homegrown Kaynes Semicon, among others, have recently got a go-ahead from the government under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) for receiving subsidies from the central and state governments. According to Akash Tripathi, who leads the ISM as its Chief Executive Officer, the Centre intedns to broaden its initiatives in the semiconductor sector. This expansion, part of ISM's second phase, will focus on supporting the establishment of facilities for manufacturing and packaging semiconductor chips.

Additionally, the programme aims to nurture various other businesses within the broader semiconductor ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Zoho is expanding its reach in the e-commerce domain with the launch of Vikra, a new seller application on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This platform aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India by simplifying their online selling processes. Vikra offers a comprehensive suite of tools for MSMEs, allowing them to establish online stores, manage product inventories, and sell through popular platforms such as Paytm, Ola, and Snapdeal. The app streamlines the onboarding process for businesses joining the ONDC network and provides tailored support to ensure smooth operations.

A key feature of Vikra is its integration with both local and national delivery partners, including Delhivery, to facilitate efficient order fulfillment. This approach aims to help small businesses compete more effectively in the digital marketplace.