Ritesh Agwarwal

Ritesh Agarwal: From Budget Backpacker to Global Hotel

Ritesh Agarwal, born in a small town in Odisha, India, is the inspiring story of a young entrepreneur who revolutionized the budget hotel industry. His journey, filled with passion, perseverance, and a little hustle, is a testament to the power of dreaming big and never giving up.

Early Beginnings and Entrepreneurial Spark:

Born in 1993, Ritesh developed a love for technology and coding at a young age. However, his entrepreneurial spirit shone even brighter, leading him to start his first business selling SIM cards when he was 13.
Travelling across India in his teens, Ritesh noticed the gap in affordable and quality accommodations for budget travellers. This sparked the idea for his first venture, Oravel Stays, an Airbnb-like platform for budget stays.

From Oravel to OYO: The Birth of a Hospitality Giant:

In 2013, Oravel transformed into OYO Rooms, focusing on standardizing and branding budget hotels. With a $100,000 Thiel Fellowship grant and sheer determination, Ritesh embarked on a rapid growth journey.
OYO's innovative model of partnering with existing hotels, providing standardized branding and amenities, and leveraging technology for booking and management, disrupted the Indian budget hotel market.
The company's growth was phenomenal, expanding across India and Southeast Asia, raising billions in funding, and earning Ritesh a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

More Than Just Hotels: Building a Vision for the Future:

OYO's vision extends beyond providing budget stays. Ritesh aims to create a seamless travel experience through an ecosystem of services, including co-working spaces, vacation rentals, and food delivery.
He emphasizes social impact, supporting local communities and empowering small businesses through OYO's partnerships and initiatives.
Ritesh's journey is far from over. He continues to lead OYO's global expansion, innovate in the hospitality landscape, and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs with his story of relentless pursuit and ambitious vision.

Additional Points of Interest:

Ritesh married Geetansha Sood in 2023.
He is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and education, mentoring young startups and speaking at conferences.
His story has been featured in various publications and documentaries, making him a role model for young Indians and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Ritesh Agarwal Net-Worth -

At just 30 years old, the entrepreneur's estimated net worth is nearly about 2 billion.

This young age entrepreneur, right now is a judge and investor of Shark Tank of India.
Unknown Fact-
At the age of 22, he attempted suicide due to several rejections of his job.
now he is one of the youngest CEO at the age of 30.
and became a new judge in Shark Tank India season 3.