May 13: Zoho Corporation has announced a ₹70 crore investment in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), marking a significant push toward strengthening India’s open and inclusive digital commerce infrastructure.
The investment aims to support ONDC’s efforts to build a more open, interoperable, and accessible digital marketplace, especially for small businesses and emerging sellers across the country. By participating in the network, Zoho is expected to contribute technology solutions that can help streamline onboarding, improve platform connectivity, and enhance the overall digital commerce experience.
ONDC, an initiative backed by the government, is designed to reduce dependence on large e-commerce platforms by enabling a decentralised system where buyers and sellers can connect across different applications. The goal is to create a more competitive and fair digital marketplace that benefits both businesses and consumers.
Zoho’s participation is seen as a strong endorsement of the ONDC vision, particularly at a time when India’s digital economy is expanding rapidly. The move is expected to further accelerate adoption among small and medium enterprises, helping them access wider markets with lower barriers to entry.
Industry observers believe this investment could also encourage greater innovation in India’s e-commerce ecosystem, as more technology companies collaborate to build interoperable digital infrastructure.
With this step, Zoho joins a growing list of companies supporting ONDC’s mission to reshape online commerce in India through openness, scalability, and inclusivity.