The Trailblazing Story Of OYO: Founder Ritesh Agarwal Shares Nostalgic Pic Of Himself During Early Struggling Days Of Company

X/ Ritesh Agarwal

New Delhi: OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal took X (formerly Twitter) to share the nostalgic photo of him and front office manager standing before their company’s third property in Gurgaon in 2013/14. He was seen talking to his mobile phone who might have been a customer booking a hotel at 12 am as their website had crashed.

Sharing the old picture, Ritesh captioned in the post, “Oh, the memories! Back in the early year of OYO, my number was even listed on the customer care page. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come since then!”

The Journey Of OYO - Revolutionising Hotel Industry

Born on November 16, 1993, in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha, India, Ritesh Agarwal displayed a keen interest in entrepreneurship and innovation from early days. He finally started Oravel Stays in 2013 with a revolutionary idea to completely overhaul hotel industry, which later rebranded into OYO.

Pioneering a Unique Business Model

Ritesh Agarwal's innovative business model for OYO focused on aggregating budget hotels and transforming them into well-managed and quality establishments. The "OYO rooms" concept became synonymous with reliable, comfortable stays at reasonable prices. His approach provided a win-win situation for both hotel partners and guests.

Focus on Technology and User Experience

As a young entrepreneur, Ritesh understood the importance of technology in shaping OYO's success. He invested significantly in building a robust technology platform, enabling seamless bookings and guest experiences. The OYO website and mobile app became user-friendly tools for travelers, contributing to OYO's rapid growth.

Throwback to 2013/14, in front of our third property in Gurgaon with the front office manager.

I don't exactly remember who I was on a call with but most likely it was a customer trying to book a hotel at 12 am in the night since our website had crashed. 

Oh, the memories!… pic.twitter.com/w5fpsLRHXF

— Ritesh Agarwal (@riteshagar) August 6, 2023

Scaling Up and Going Global

Under Ritesh's visionary leadership, OYO rapidly expanded its presence across India and soon ventured into international markets. Scaling up operations and establishing a strong global footprint required adaptability and strategic planning, qualities that Ritesh possessed in abundance.

Inspiring the Next Generation

As a young entrepreneur who achieved remarkable success, Ritesh Agarwal serves as an inspiration for the aspiring startup community. His story of turning a modest idea into a global hospitality giant encourages others to dream big, take risks, and work diligently to bring their vision to life.

Continuing the Journey

Despite OYO's immense success, Ritesh Agarwal remains focused on pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers. He continues to innovate, disrupt, and redefine the hospitality industry, making OYO a trailblazer in its domain.

Ritesh Agarwal's journey from a small town in India to the founder of a multi-billion-dollar company is a testament to his determination, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit. His story will undoubtedly inspire generations of entrepreneurs to come, leaving a lasting impact on the world of business and beyond.