Ritesh Agarwal is the founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, one of the world’s fastest-growing hotel networks. From selling SIM cards at age 13 to building a multi-billion-dollar hospitality empire, Ritesh’s journey is one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial stories from India.
Who Is Ritesh Agarwal?
Ritesh Agarwal is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of OYO Rooms.
He is known for disrupting the traditional hotel industry by creating affordable, standardised stays for budget travelers around the world.
Ritesh Agarwal – Early Life & Background
Ritesh Agarwal was born on 16 November 1993 in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha.
He grew up in a Marwari business family and developed a passion for entrepreneurship at a very young age.
By age 13, he was already selling SIM cards to earn pocket money.
Education – The Dropout Who Dreamed Bigger
Ritesh completed his schooling in Rayagada, Odisha.
Later he moved to Delhi for college but dropped out to focus entirely on entrepreneurship.
During this time, he spent months traveling, staying in cheap hotels, and learning the problems of the hospitality industry.
This real-world experience became the foundation of OYO.
Early Ventures – Oravel Stays
Before OYO, Ritesh launched Oravel Stays, a platform similar to Airbnb.
However, he soon realised that India needed standardised budget rooms, not just listings.
So he pivoted the business model.
Birth of OYO – A Revolution in Budget Hotels
In 2013, Ritesh founded OYO Rooms with a simple vision:
Affordable, clean, standardised hotel rooms across India.
OYO started with just one hotel in Gurgaon.
Within a few years, it expanded to thousands of hotels across:
India
Nepal
China
UK
UAE
USA
Indonesia
OYO became one of the world’s largest hotel chains.
Why OYO Became Hugely Successful?
Affordable pricing
Consistent quality
Tech-enabled hotel management
Easy online booking
Fast expansion
Strong branding
Ritesh’s execution speed and ability to solve hotel owners’ problems made OYO a massive hit.
Ritesh Agarwal Net Worth
Ritesh Agarwal’s estimated net worth is around ₹11,000–12,000 Crore.
His fortune comes from:
OYO shareholding
Investments
Business ventures
He is one of the youngest self-made billionaires from India.
Ritesh Agarwal Family
Born in a Marwari business family
Married Geetansha Sood in 2023
A private family background with strong support for his entrepreneurial dreams
The $100,000 Thiel Fellowship
In 2013, Ritesh became the first Indian to win the Thiel Fellowship, receiving $100,000.
This recognition transformed his life and gave him global exposure.
Major Challenges Faced
Rapid scaling across multiple countries
Hotel partnership issues
Operational challenges
Market competition
COVID-19 impact on the hospitality sector
Despite these, Ritesh continued to innovate and rebuild OYO with stronger processes.
Awards & Achievements
Forbes 30 Under 30
Thiel Fellow
Business World Young Entrepreneur Award
OYO became a global hotel network in record time
Leadership Style & Success Principles
Move fast and execute
Learn from failures
Solve real problems
Stay close to customers and partners
Experiment and evolve
Think global, act local
Ritesh’s work ethic and adaptability make him a standout leader.
Why Ritesh Agarwal Inspires Millions?
His journey shows that age doesn’t define success.
He proved that innovation, ambition, and persistence can build global companies even from small towns.
Conclusion
Ritesh Agarwal’s biography is a powerful example of India’s startup revolution. From selling SIM cards to leading one of the world’s biggest hotel networks, his story reflects determination, vision, and fearless entrepreneurship. OYO’s impact on the hospitality industry continues to inspire millions of young dreamers.
