I used my income so he could focus on Zoho, now he says I own just 5% of it: Vembu’s wife
The story of Sridhar Vembu, the billionaire founder of Zoho, is one of rags-to-riches success. From humble beginnings to building a software empire, Vembu’s journey is an inspiration to many. However, behind every successful man, there is often an unsung hero, and in Vembu’s case, it is his wife, Pramila Srinivasan. In a shocking revelation, Srinivasan has come forward to claim that she used her income to support Vembu while he was building Zoho, only to be told later that she owns just 5% of the company.
The story begins in the early days of Zoho, when Vembu had just quit his job to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. Srinivasan, who was working at the time, used her income to support the family, allowing Vembu to focus on building his company. “I was the breadwinner of the family, and I used my income to support Sridhar while he was building Zoho,” Srinivasan said in an interview. “I thought we were in this together, as a team, and that our contributions would be recognized equally.”
However, things took a turn when Vembu filed for divorce. It was then that Srinivasan discovered that Vembu claimed to own just 5% of Zoho, with his sister Radha being the largest shareholder with a 47.8% stake. “I felt shocked and betrayed when I learned that Sridhar had claimed to own only 5% of the company,” Srinivasan said. “I had used my income to support him while he was building Zoho, and I had thought that our contributions would be recognized equally.”
The news has sent shockwaves in the business community, with many questioning the fairness of Vembu’s claims. How could a man who built a billion-dollar company with the support of his wife claim to own only 5% of it? The answer, it seems, lies in the complex web of shareholdings and corporate structures that Vembu has created over the years.
According to court documents, Vembu’s sister Radha is indeed the largest shareholder of Zoho, with a 47.8% stake. Vembu himself owns just 5% of the company, while other family members and investors own the remaining shares. However, Srinivasan claims that she was never informed of these shareholdings and that she had always assumed that she and Vembu were equal partners in the company.
The case has now gone to court, with Srinivasan seeking a larger share of the company. In a recent ruling, a US court has ordered Vembu to post a $1.7 billion bond in the divorce case, pending the outcome of the trial. The ruling is a significant victory for Srinivasan, who has been fighting for her rights as a co-founder of Zoho.
The case raises important questions about the role of women in entrepreneurship and the recognition of their contributions. Srinivasan’s story is not an isolated one, and there are many women who have played a crucial role in building successful companies, only to be denied recognition and rewards. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the court rules on the shareholdings of Zoho and whether Srinivasan will receive the recognition she deserves.
In the meantime, the story of Srinivasan and Vembu serves as a reminder of the importance of fairness and equality in business. Behind every successful company, there are often unsung heroes who have contributed significantly to its success. It is time to recognize these contributions and give them the rewards they deserve.
As the world watches the drama unfold, one thing is clear: the story of Srinivasan and Vembu is one that will have far-reaching implications for the business community. It is a story of love, betrayal, and the fight for recognition, and it is one that will be remembered for years to come.
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