Bhavish Aggarwal is an influential Indian entrepreneur who co-founded Ola, a leading ride-hailing platform, and Ola Electric, a prominent manufacturer of electric scooters and motorcycles. Born on August 28, 1985, in Ludhiana, Punjab, he pursued his education at IIT Bombay, where he developed a passion for entrepreneurship. Bhavish’s innovative vision and dedication have driven Ola’s growth, making it one of the top transportation services in India. Despite facing challenges and controversies, his commitment to revolutionizing the electric vehicle market and exploring new ventures like Krutrim, an AI startup, showcases his forward-thinking approach.
Early Life and Education
Bhavish Aggarwal was born on August 28, 1985, in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Growing up in a middle-class family, Bhavish was always encouraged to pursue education and hard work. His father, Naresh Aggarwal, is an orthopaedic surgeon, and his mother, Usha Aggarwal, is a pathologist. Bhavish’s upbringing in a supportive family environment instilled in him the values of perseverance and dedication.
Bhavish completed his schooling in Ludhiana and later moved to Mumbai to pursue higher education. He enrolled at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, where he studied Computer Science and Engineering. During his time at IIT Bombay, Bhavish honed his technical skills and developed a keen interest in entrepreneurship.
Early Career
After graduating from IIT Bombay in 2008, Bhavish began his career at Microsoft Research India as a research intern. His work at Microsoft was impressive, and he was soon promoted to the position of Assistant Researcher. During his tenure at Microsoft, Bhavish filed two patents and published three papers in international journals. However, despite his success at Microsoft, Bhavish felt a strong desire to create something of his own.
The Birth of Ola
The idea for Ola was born out of a personal experience. In 2010, Bhavish was on a road trip from Bangalore to Bandipur when he faced a terrible experience with a taxi driver. The driver stopped the car in the middle of the journey and demanded more money than what was agreed upon. This incident made Bhavish realize the need for a reliable and efficient cab service in India.
Determined to solve this problem, Bhavish teamed up with his college friend, Ankit Bhati, and together they founded Ola Cabs in January 2011. The duo started Ola with the vision of providing a seamless and convenient transportation experience for customers. They initially operated as an aggregator, connecting customers with taxi drivers through a mobile app.
Growth and Expansion
Ola quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly app and reliable service. The company expanded its operations to multiple cities across India, and by 2014, Ola had become one of the leading ride-hailing platforms in the country. The company’s success attracted significant investments from prominent venture capital firms, including Tiger Global, SoftBank, and Sequoia Capital.
In 2015, Ola introduced Ola Share, a carpooling service that allowed customers to share rides with others traveling in the same direction. This initiative not only helped reduce traffic congestion but also made rides more affordable for customers. Ola continued to innovate and diversify its services, launching Ola Prime, Ola Rentals, and Ola Outstation to cater to different customer needs.
Ola Electric
In 2017, Bhavish Aggarwal recognized the potential of electric vehicles (EVs) in addressing the environmental challenges posed by traditional fuel-based transportation. With a vision to revolutionize the EV market in India, Bhavish founded Ola Electric, a subsidiary of Ola, focused on manufacturing electric scooters and motorcycles.
Ola Electric quickly gained traction and became a key player in the Indian EV market. The company launched its first electric scooter, the Ola S1, in 2021, which received an overwhelming response from customers. Ola Electric’s success further solidified Bhavish’s reputation as a visionary entrepreneur.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his achievements, Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey has not been without challenges and controversies. In 2022, Bhavish faced criticism for creating a toxic work environment at Ola. Reports emerged of him tearing up presentations over minor mistakes and using harsh language with employees. These allegations led to a string of high-profile exits from the company.
Bhavish defended his behaviour, stating that his aggressive approach was driven by his passion for excellence and his commitment to building a world-class company. He acknowledged the need for improvement and took steps to address the concerns raised by employees.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Bhavish has continued to focus on expanding Ola’s footprint and exploring new opportunities. In 2024, he founded Krutrim, an AI startup that became India’s first AI unicorn within a year of its inception. Krutrim aims to leverage artificial intelligence to solve complex problems across various industries.
Ola Electric has also been in the news for its restructuring efforts. In early 2025, the company laid off over 1,000 employees as part of a cost-cutting initiative to improve efficiencies. Despite these challenges, Bhavish remains optimistic about the future of electric vehicles in India and is committed to driving innovation in the industry.
Personal Life
Bhavish Aggarwal is married to Rajalakshmi Aggarwal, and the couple has two children. Despite his busy schedule, Bhavish makes it a point to spend quality time with his family. He is also an avid photographer and enjoys capturing moments from his travels.
Awards and Recognition
Bhavish Aggarwal’s contributions to the Indian startup ecosystem have been widely recognized. In 2018, he was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He has also received several awards for his entrepreneurial achievements, including the Economic Times Entrepreneur of the Year award and the Forbes India Leadership Award.
Challenges Faced by Bhavish Agarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal has faced several challenges throughout his entrepreneurial journey. One of the significant hurdles was the criticism of creating a toxic work environment at Ola. Reports surfaced of him tearing up presentations over minor mistakes and using harsh language with employees, leading to a series of high-profile exits from the company. Financial struggles have also plagued Ola Electric, with mounting losses and increased competition. The company’s net loss widened to ₹564 crore in the December 2024 quarter, up from ₹376 crore in the same period the previous year. Additionally, Ola Electric underwent multiple rounds of layoffs as part of restructuring efforts to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. In early 2025, the company laid off over 1,000 employees, following a similar downsizing in November 2024.
Product quality issues have further complicated Bhavish’s journey, as numerous consumer complaints regarding the quality of Ola Electric scooters emerged. Some videos went viral on social media, sparking debates about the product’s reliability. Market competition has been fierce, with established players like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor giving Ola Electric a tough fight. In December 2024, Bajaj Auto overtook Ola Electric as the market leader. Managing investor relations has also been a challenge for Bhavish, as he navigated setting clear expectations and establishing Ola Electric as a distinct company.
Despite these challenges, Bhavish Aggarwal remains optimistic and continues to drive innovation in the electric vehicle market, showcasing his resilience and determination to succeed.
Positive Qualities of Bhavish Aggarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey as an entrepreneur is marked by several positive aspects that have contributed to his success:
- Visionary Leadership: Bhavish’s ability to envision the future of transportation and electric vehicles has been a driving force behind Ola and Ola Electric. His foresight and innovative thinking have revolutionized the ride-hailing and EV markets in India.
- Resilience and Determination: Bhavish’s journey has not been without challenges, but his resilience and determination have helped him overcome obstacles and continue to drive innovation. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and stay focused on his goals is commendable.
- Commitment to Excellence: Bhavish’s commitment to excellence is evident in his approach to building world-class companies. He strives for the highest standards in product quality, customer service, and operational efficiency.
- Empowering Others: Bhavish has created opportunities for thousands of drivers and employees through Ola and Ola Electric. His ventures have provided livelihoods and contributed to the economic growth of the country.
- Focus on Sustainability: Bhavish’s emphasis on electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions reflects his commitment to addressing environmental challenges. Ola Electric’s success in the EV market showcases his dedication to creating a greener future.
- Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs: Bhavish’s entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration to young entrepreneurs across the globe. His story of turning a personal pain point into a successful business venture encourages others to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact.
Conclusion
Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey from a small-town boy to a successful entrepreneur is truly inspiring. His vision, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence have transformed Ola into a household name in India. As he continues to innovate and explore new frontiers, Bhavish’s story serves as a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the impact it
