Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal story is the most entrepreneurial story of an Indian startup. From a Microsoft engineer to creating a company worth a billion dollars, his is the story of perseverance, innovation, and the aspiration to disrupt a market ruled by international players.
Ola is not a ride-hailing business company today but a symbol of India's startup revolution. Present in 250+ cities across India and internationally in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand, Ola has transformed the daily mobility of millions of people.
But behind all the achievement stands Bhavish Aggarwal's perseverance who made a personal irritant a global mobility solution. Let us know more about him.
Born: 28th August 1985
Birthplace: Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Education: B.Tech in Computer Science, IIT Bombay (graduated in 2008)
Bhavish was born in a modest middle-class Punjabi household. From childhood itself, he had a bent towards technology, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship. His parents nudged him towards studies, and he comfortably cracked the IIT entrance exam – one of the most challenging ones in India.
At IIT Bombay, not just did he learn well, but he also developed an interest in entrepreneurship. Exposure to innovation at a young age gave shape to his vision for the long term.
After graduating, Bhavish worked as an assistant researcher and subsequently an intern at Microsoft Research India. During the two years at the company, he filed two patents on wireless networking and wrote three papers that were published in international journals.
A successful tech career was his, but in his heart of hearts, he felt a desire to do something of his own. He also felt that no 9-to-5 lifestyle would ever assist him in fulfilling his entrepreneurial dreams. This prompted him to take the most significant decision of his life to leave Microsoft in 2010.
Every successful entrepreneur has a 'eureka' moment. Bhavish was traveling in a taxi by road to Bandipur from Bangalore. He had pre-booked the trip, but halfway through, the driver insisted on more money and left him midway on the road.
Strange but resolute, Bhavish pondered:
“If I, who knows a little bit of technology, have this problem, then what about millions of other people who travel in taxis?”
This bad experience seeded the idea of Ola Cabs, a safe, technology-enabled taxi service.
Currently, in 2025, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal is estimated to have a net worth of around $500–600 million (₹4,000+ crore). He holds massive chunks of his wealth in his stake in Ola Cabs and Ola Electric and investment in other business ventures.
On the assumption of Ola's funding rounds and valuations, his net worth may fluctuate, but Bhavish is one of India's wealthiest self-made startup owners. With his riches, though, is his real riches of millions of changed lives through Ola—be it riders getting a ride at an affordable price or drivers getting guaranteed work opportunities.
Bhavish Aggarwal and his IIT Bombay batchmate Ankit Bhati launched Ola Cabs (initially "OlaTrips") in December 2010.
Ola began as an outstation cab booking site. Bhavish realized later the larger potential of intra-city mobility. When he launched a mobile app enabling instant booking of rides, Ola shook up India's transport sector.
Why was Ola different?
Beginnings small, Ola expanded at breakneck pace:
Operated in 100+ Indian cities by 2014. Introduced new categories like Ola Auto, Ola Share, and Ola Bike to serve different customer segments. Raised massive amounts of money from investors such as SoftBank, Tiger Global, and Sequoia Capital. Was currently India's most valuable mobility startup, prompting fierce competition for Uber.
Ola operated more than 1.5 million drivers and enabled millions of rides every day by 2019.
Bhavish Aggarwal was not satisfied with ruling India alone. Ola expanded globally to:
This put Ola in the ranks of a very small number of Indian startups that were growing at the international level and fighting with global players on their own ground.
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal story is not one without challenges. Some of the biggest challenges are:
Uber competition – Global behemoth Uber had set foot in India in 2013, putting Ola under relentless pressure to keep innovating day in and day out.
Regulatory issues – State governments had also put restrictions on ride-hailing companies in the past.
Driver unrest – Driver protest and strikes for better compensation try Ola's mettle.
Financial challenges – Raising money and handling valuations in a competitive environment.
Prior to these, Bhavish Aggarwal remained firm and steered Ola towards expansion.
Seeing the world's need for cleaner means of transportation, Bhavish Aggarwal began Ola Electric in 2017.
Key Points:
Bhavish's strategy is clear:
“To make sure that India does not rely on foreign fuel and emerges as an electric mobility powerhouse globally.”
This bold move is the result of his culture of innovation and his vision of the long term.
Turn issues into opportunities – A terrible ride in a taxi was turned into a billion-dollar company.
Think big, start small – Started with intercity rent and scaled up to international ride-hailing.
Adaptability is the key – Changed Ola numerous times to address customer needs.
Innovation waits not – From cabs to autos, two-wheelers, to EVs.
Resilience is the key – Thrived despite tough competition and regulation challenges.
Other Inspiring Stories:
Shiva Ayyadurai Invention Story
Vijay Shekhar Sharma Success Story
The Bhavish Aggarwal Ola CEO story is not a business school case study – it's a motivation. Middle-class boy from Ludhiana to billion-dollar startup CEO, his path is proof that innovation, grit, and determination can turn industries on their heads.
Ola has not only offered mobility to crores of individuals but also offered employment to lakhs of drivers. With Ola Electric, Bhavish is ushering India towards a cleaner, greener future.
That is the evidence that entrepreneurship is about leaving a tangible legacy and something behind.
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He is the founder, CEO of Ola Cabs and Ola Electric.
Ola was founded in 2010 in Mumbai by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati.
A poor ride with a cab prompted Bhavish to build a trustable ride-hailing company.
Ola's electric vehicle subsidiary making affordable electric two-wheelers and constructing clean mobility solutions.
To seek problems, remain resilient, innovate again and again, and think long-term.
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