Business Daily Business Daily meets: OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal
16 snips
Jul 24, 2025 Ritesh Agarwal, the 31-year-old CEO and founder of OYO, shot to fame by revolutionizing the hospitality industry after starting his career selling SIM cards in Odisha. He shares how a fellowship from Peter Thiel set him on a path to entrepreneurship at just 19. The conversation delves into the resilience needed to navigate OYO's challenges, especially during the pandemic, and his unique leadership style that balances kindness with decisiveness. Agarwal reflects on how travel shaped his innovations and the company's future in hospitality.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early SIM Card Selling
- Ritesh Agarwal started his entrepreneurial journey at 13 by selling SIM cards to local shops in his small town in India.
- His early business experience gave him practical insights into customer engagement and sales strategies.
Thiel Fellowship Life-Changer
- Ritesh received a $100,000 Thiel Fellowship to pursue entrepreneurship instead of continuing university.
- He was the first in his family to travel to the US, marking a major life milestone.
Opportunity in Budget Hotels
- Unmanaged budget hotels in India presented a huge market opportunity with little technology support.
- Providing technology and quality upgrades to these hotels could greatly increase their revenue and customer satisfaction.