Bhavish Aggarwal: The journey of a young and Visionary entrepreneur Behind Ola’s Success
Who is Bhavish Aggarwal?
Bhavish Aggarwal is the founder of OLA cabs which is not only India's largest mobility platform but also famous in the world. In a world where public transportation often falters, and personal vehicles are not always available, Bhavish Aggarwal has offered millions of people a way out.
Whether it’s rushing to the airport at dawn, hailing a ride home after midnight, or seeking urgent transport during an emergency, Ola Cabs has been the lifeline for countless commuters across India and beyond. The brainchild of Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola has not only transformed urban transportation but has also written a story of entrepreneurial grit, innovation, and persistence.
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Bhavish Aggarwal's Early Life and Education
Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey is a tale of passion, courage and pursuit of dreams. He was born in August 1985, in Afghanistan. He came to India when he was 8-9 years old, they came to Ludhiana, Punjab. He grew up in a loving, supportive family that instilled in him the values of hard work and resilience. His parents are professional doctors. He has been good at studies since childhood.
But he failed in his first attempt, and went to Kota for preparation. His brilliance shone in his second attempt, when he got AIR 23rd rank in JEE. He went to IIT Bombay, where he completed his B.Tech in Computer Science in 2008. Bhavish also met his co-founder Ankit Bhati in his college who was his neighbour in IIT hostel.
Straight out of college, Bhavish took his first step into the corporate world by joining Microsoft in 2007 as a research intern. His exceptional talent quickly led to him being absorbed as an assistant researcher, where he authored three papers in international journals and filed two patents. However, something inside him craved more, a desire to create something meaningful that he could call his own.
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Ola cabs: The Birth of his Dream
Bhavish’s turning moment came in 2010 during a trip from Bangalore to Bandipur. His cab driver suddenly stopped the car mid-way and started haggling over the fare. He leaves Bhavish stranded in the middle of nowhere. This frustrating experience sparked an idea in his mind. He realised the need for a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly cab service. From this seemingly small inconvenience, Ola Cabs was born.
In 2010, Bhavish co-founded Ola with his college friend Ankit Bhati and pivoted from a small travel-planning company, OLAtrip.com, into a full-fledged cab aggregation platform. They started their office from one BHK flat in Powai. Little did they know, their startup would one day redefine the way India commutes.
His family was pretty worried about his career as they were thinking his start up would change into a travel agency and Bhavesh would be a travel agent for it. His father did not speak him for six months.
Challenges
No entrepreneurial journey is without its hurdles, and Bhavish’s story was no exception. The initial days were tough. Convincing investors, drivers, and even customers to trust his fledgling company seemed an uphill task. They competed with well-established players like The Radio Taxi Services and FastTrack, Ola faced stiff competition. Bhavish’s vision, however, remained unwavering. Every challenge strengthened his resolve to offer a better, more accessible transportation solution.
Early on, Ola allowed customers to book taxis over the phone. By 2012, it launched a smartphone app that revolutionised the entire industry. With Ola’s entry, India’s ride-hailing market changed forever. It wasn’t just a cab service; Ola was an inclusive platform offering auto-rickshaws, two-wheelers, and more recently, electric vehicles (EVs). They aimed at making transportation easier, more affordable, and eco-friendly.
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The Rise of Ola Electric
Bhavish’s ambition did not stop at cabs. In 2021, he entered the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) space with Ola Electric. In just two years, Ola Electric sold over 239,000 electric scooters, dominating 38% of the EV market in India. According to reports by the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles, Ola’s aggressive expansion into this space set it up as a pioneer, not just in India, but across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
His vision for Ola Electric didn’t stop at scooters, they also launched electric bikes. His steadfast commitment to sustainability is a clear reflection of his determination to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly solutions.
In a Bloomberg interview, he remarked, “Now I can feel that it will be much earlier. Ola Electric has grown and matured faster than I had initially planned because the market response has been very strong.” His belief in innovation, and the speed with which he embraces it, is at the heart of Ola’s success.
Ola’s journey to the top wasn’t without its setbacks. Regulatory hurdles, intense competition from global giants like Uber, and the constant pressure of raising capital to scale the business were massive challenges. Yet, Bhavish’s inspirational leadership, adaptability to the market, and willingness to fight through adversity have made Ola a $3.5 billion empire, according to Vanguard reports. The company is India’s transportation leader, boasting a 60% market share in 2014 alone.
What sets Bhavish apart is his unyielding determination to not just build a business but to offer solutions to real-world problems. His company has transcended the boundaries of just cab services, offering food delivery, auto-rickshaws, and even electric vehicles. Ola is now a platform for holistic urban mobility solutions.
Awards and Recognition
Bhavish Aggarwal has been showered with accolades for his transformative contributions to the Indian startup ecosystem. In 2013, he was honoured with South Asia’s mBillionth Award for digital innovations. His name graced Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2018, alongside global change-makers. He has been recognized by Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 and Fortune India’s 40 Under 40.
Despite his meteoric rise, Bhavish remains grounded. His passion for photography, cycling, and squash reveals a man who finds joy beyond boardrooms and business deals. Bhavish is also a dedicated mentor, helping to shape the future of India’s startup landscape. He has become an inspiration to countless budding entrepreneurs across the country.
Bhavish Aggarwal wife
Behind every successful man, there’s often a supportive partner, and for Bhavish, that person is his wife, Rajalakshmi, a Tamilian doctor whom he met in 2007. Their love story blossomed over the years, and they tied the knot in 2014 after dating for nearly seven years. Today, the couple is proud parents of two children and balancing family life with their professional commitments.
Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey from being stranded on a roadside to building one of India’s largest and most innovative companies is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities, paired with his relentless pursuit of excellence. In an era where India is embracing entrepreneurship, his narrative serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Written by Manvi