Sridhar Vembu, co-founder and Chief Scientist of Zoho Corporation, encouraged Indian entrepreneurs to explore rural areas for untapped talent in a recent post on platform X. He stated, “If you are a smart, ambitious engineer or entrepreneur with a long-term vision, rural India is an excellent place to realize your dreams.”
Vembu emphasized the youthful demographic in rural India, noting that it surpasses that of major cities, which often depend on migration for talent. He questioned why entrepreneurs do not seek talent directly from these rural regions, highlighting that an average rural district in India, such as Tenkasi, sees around 20,000 births annually. “Consider what can be achieved with that talent! There are over 600 such rural districts in India,” he remarked.
He stressed the importance of a “long-term horizon,” indicating that quick exits would not be feasible. Vembu advised entrepreneurs to engage with talent in their native languages rather than solely in English, stating, “If you want an exit in three years, forget it! Look beyond English and connect with talent in their native language.”
Responses on social media were mixed. Supporters like Ravi Kumar acknowledged the challenge of building a sustainable business in a short timeframe but agreed with Vembu’s perspective on long-term potential. Others, such as Devendra Mahra, pointed out that success in rural hiring would require companies to invest time and resources in training.
Himanshu Tyagi raised a concern that many entrepreneurial youths from rural areas migrate to cities, leaving behind those who are unemployed or under-trained.