Author: Anirban Bhattacharya | Date: 28 February 2024 | : 69

Ritesh Agarwal is an Indian entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of OYO Rooms (formerly OYO Hotels & Homes), one of the largest and fastest-growing hospitality chains in the world. Born on November 16, 1993, in Bissamcuttack, Odisha, India, Agarwal displayed entrepreneurial traits from a young age. Agarwal dropped out of college to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. In 2013, at the age of 19, he founded Oravel Stays, which later pivoted to OYO Rooms. OYO started as a budget hotel aggregator in India, offering standardized accommodation at affordable prices. Agarwal's vision was to provide travelers with a reliable and consistent hospitality experience across various budget hotels. Under Agarwal's leadership, OYO quickly expanded its presence both domestically and internationally, establishing operations in several countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia. OYO's rapid growth was fueled by significant investments from various venture capital firms and investors. Agarwal's innovative approach to leveraging technology in the hospitality industry, coupled with his relentless focus on customer experience and operational efficiency, propelled OYO's meteoric rise. However, the company has faced challenges and controversies, including concerns about the quality of some properties and disputes with hotel partners. Despite the challenges, Agarwal remains a prominent figure in the Indian startup ecosystem and global entrepreneurship scene. His journey from a small-town entrepreneur to the head of a multi-billion-dollar hospitality empire has inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs in India and beyond.