Zoho is a rare example of a huge software company built without outside funding. They focused on building good products and serving customers, not chasing investors.
- • Bootstrapped from day one
- • Over 80 million users
- • 50+ products
- • Profitable and independent
I like bootstrapping because it means you build for real users, not for investors. Every dollar comes from customers, not VCs.
The Zoho Story
Zoho's story is legendary in the Indian and global tech ecosystem. Founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu, Zoho has never taken a single dollar of external funding.
→ Prioritize long-term value over short-term growth hacks
→ Invest in people and culture—from building a rural campus to nurturing talent from scratch
→ Innovate at its own pace, launching products when they're truly ready
→ Stay profitable and sustainable through every market cycle
Why Bootstrapping Resonates With Me
As a builder, I've always admired companies that choose the harder, slower, but ultimately more rewarding path of bootstrapping. It's not just about retaining equity or control—it's about building a business that's real. Every dollar earned is a validation from a customer, not an investor. Every feature shipped is driven by user need, not a pitch deck.
"Bootstrapping forces you to be scrappy, creative, and customer-obsessed. It teaches you discipline and resilience. And most importantly, it lets you build a company on your own terms."
How Zoho Inspires Pocketsflow
At Pocketsflow, we've taken a page out of Zoho's playbook. We're building our product with a laser focus on solving real problems for real users. We're not chasing funding rounds or growth-at-all-costs. Instead, we're obsessed with delivering value, listening to our users, and growing sustainably.
Inspired by Zoho's journeyZoho's journey gives us the confidence that it's possible to build something meaningful without external capital. It reminds us that culture, product, and customer obsession matter more than headlines or valuations. And it proves that, with patience and perseverance, bootstrapped companies can not only survive—but thrive—on the global stage.