Ritesh Agarwal, the founder of OYO, is a young entrepreneur who changed the hotel industry in India. Born in a small town in Odisha, Ritesh dreamed big. He started working at a very young age and believed in creating better and affordable hotel stays for everyone.
Early Life and Idea
Ritesh was born in 1993 in a small business family. He had big dreams and was curious about technology and travel. At the age of 17, he moved to Delhi to study but soon dropped out to follow his business idea. He saw that many people faced problems finding clean, low-cost hotels. That gave him the idea to start a company that could solve this problem.
In 2012, he started a small company called Oravel Stays, which later became OYO Rooms in 2013.
The Growth of OYO
OYO (On Your Own) started by working with small hotels and improving their quality. Ritesh helped these hotels get better rooms, services, and systems. In return, they became part of the OYO brand. This model worked well, and the company quickly grew across India.
In just a few years, OYO became one of the largest hotel chains in India. Ritesh even got selected for the Thiel Fellowship, where he received a grant of $100,000 to grow his business.
OYO later expanded to other countries like China, UAE, UK, USA, and Indonesia. It offered affordable rooms with standard quality, which people liked all over the world.
Hard Work and Humility
Even though Ritesh became a big name in business, he stayed humble. In one event, he shared that he still cleans hotel bathrooms to understand his business better and show his team that no job is small. This act shows his values of hard work and leadership by example.
OYO’s Big Turnaround
After facing some ups and downs during the pandemic, OYO worked hard to bounce back. In 2024, the company announced its first-ever annual profit of ₹229 crore. Ritesh also planned to invest ₹550 crore of his own money to grow OYO further in India and other countries like the US.
He increased his ownership in the company and focused on improving technology and customer experience.
Changing Brand Image
OYO was once known mainly for young couples. Now, Ritesh is changing that. He wants OYO to be seen as a family-friendly and business-travel brand. According to him, 70–80% of bookings are now from families or professionals. This shift is helping OYO reach a wider audience.
Shark Tank India and Inspiring Youth
In 2024, Ritesh joined Shark Tank India Season 3 as its youngest investor. He shared tips and funded many new ideas. His role inspired thousands of young Indians to believe in their dreams.
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He also believes anyone can start a business—even in the US—with just $10,000 if they use money wisely and work hard.
Final Words
Ritesh Agarwal’s journey from a small town to building a global brand is truly inspiring. He shows that success comes from solving real problems, staying humble, and always learning. His story is proof that age, background, or money do not stop someone from becoming a great entrepreneur.
Disclaimer: This article is based on public reports and business interviews. Details may change. Readers should verify current information from official sources.
