Bhavish Aggarwal is a name that resonates with innovation and determination in the Indian startup ecosystem. Born on August 28, 1985, in Ludhiana, Punjab, he developed a passion for technology early in life. After completing his education in Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay in 2008, he began his career at Microsoft Research. However, the traditional corporate path did not align with his entrepreneurial spirit. In August 2010, Aggarwal took a leap of faith and co-founded Ola Cabs, aiming to revolutionize the way people commute in India.
The journey of Ola was not without its challenges. Bhavish faced fierce competition and skepticism from investors who doubted the viability of his vision for affordable and reliable transportation. Despite these obstacles, his unwavering commitment to innovation fueled his passion. Today, Ola stands as a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, serving millions of customers across India and beyond.
In addition to Ola Cabs, Bhavish has made significant strides in the electric vehicle market with Ola Electric, founded in 2017. This venture aims to position India as a global leader in electric mobility. Although Ola Electric faced early setbacks, including incidents of scooters catching fire, Bhavish's dedication to innovation led to the successful launch of their e-scooters and a public listing that significantly boosted his wealth.
Aggarwal's bold statement, "Tesla builds for 1 billion rich people; Ola Electric is building for the rest," encapsulates his vision of making electric vehicles accessible to the masses. His ambitious plans include expanding Ola Electric's product line to electric three-wheelers and significantly increasing their distribution network.
An interesting anecdote from Bhavish's journey involves his decision to invest ₹2,400 crore into building a state-of-the-art EV factory during the pandemic. Many doubted this move; however, he proved critics wrong by launching production within a year. His commitment to creating a sustainable future through electric mobility exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship and inspires countless young entrepreneurs across India to pursue their dreams and innovate for a better tomorrow.
