Zoho Corporation has acquired the Kochi-based startup Asimov Robotics, which specializes in robotic solutions for hazardous and repetitive tasks.

Founded in 2012, Asimov Robotics will continue its research and development (R&D) work from Zoho’s campus in Kottarakkara, Kerala.

The acquisition aims to enhance Zoho’s R&D capabilities in robotics and emerging technologies.

The Kottarakkara campus, which can accommodate 250 employees, will focus on advancements in AI and robotics.

As part of its decentralization strategy, Zoho is hiring local talent from Kottarakkara and surrounding areas.

🔗 Source: YourStory

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Shift from “build, don’t buy” to strategic acquisitions

The Asimov Robotics acquisition marks a notable evolution in Zoho’s growth philosophy, which historically prioritized organic development over acquisitions.

In 2013, Zoho’s leadership explicitly positioned the company against acquisition-driven growth with their “They Acquire, Acquire, Acquire While We Build, Build, Build” stance, criticizing competitors like Salesforce who spent billions on acquisitions 1.

Zoho made its first-ever acquisition only in 2019 when it acqui-hired HR-tech startup ePoise Systems, primarily for talent and intellectual property rather than products 2.

This gradual shift toward selective acquisitions demonstrates how Zoho has maintained its core philosophy of building capabilities in-house while strategically supplementing specific technical areas like robotics where external expertise can accelerate development.

The company’s bootstrapped status, achieving a valuation exceeding $1 billion without external funding, gives it unique freedom to pursue acquisitions aligned with long-term vision rather than short-term investor demands 3.

2️⃣ Rural tech development as competitive advantage

Zoho’s Kottarakkara campus and Asimov acquisition represent a deliberate strategy to develop technological capabilities outside traditional urban tech hubs.

The company’s approach of establishing R&D centers in rural areas like Kottarakkara, Kerala creates a two-fold advantage: access to untapped talent pools and significantly lower operational costs compared to urban tech centers.

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