Early Life and Education
Bhavish Aggarwal was born on August 28, 1985, in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He grew up in a supportive family that instilled the value of education and hard work. Aggarwal completed his bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in 2008. During his time at IIT Bombay, he actively participated in technical and entrepreneurial activities, laying the foundation for his future ventures.
Rise to Success
After graduating, Aggarwal worked at Microsoft Research India. However, a personal experience during a road trip highlighted the need for reliable transportation, inspiring him to start Ola. In 2010, he co-founded Ola Cabs (now Ola Consumer) with Ankit Bhati, initially allowing bookings via phone calls before introducing a mobile app in 2012. Ola quickly gained market share in the ride-hailing industry. In 2017, Aggarwal founded Ola Electric, which has become a leader in the electric vehicle market. In 2024, he founded Ola Krutrim, India's first AI unicorn, showcasing his ability to innovate across different technological domains.
Key Business Strategies
Ola's success is attributed to several key strategies. Firstly, Ola focused on leveraging technology to connect customers with drivers and provide convenient transportation options. Secondly, the company expanded its services to include various vehicle types, catering to diverse customer needs. Thirdly, Ola has been a pioneer in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, aiming to drive sustainable mobility.
Philanthropy
Bhavish Aggarwal's wife, Rajalakshmi Aggarwal, leads Ola Foundation.