Bhavish Aggarwal
| Bhavish Aggarwal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 28, 1985 Ludhiana, Punjab, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (B.Tech, Computer Science) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of Ola and Ola Electric |
Bhavish Aggarwal is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Ola, one of India’s leading ride-hailing platforms. He is also the founder of Ola Electric, a company spearheading India’s electric mobility revolution. Aggarwal is known for his dynamic leadership, innovation in urban transport, and ambitious vision for sustainable mobility. [1]
Early Life and Education
Bhavish Aggarwal was born on August 28, 1985, in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, graduating in 2008. During his academic years, he developed a strong interest in problem-solving and entrepreneurship. [2]
Career and the Founding of Ola
After graduation, Aggarwal joined Microsoft Research India as a research intern. In 2010, inspired by a bad taxi experience, he launched Ola Cabs with Ankit Bhati, creating a technology-driven alternative to traditional taxi services. Initially launched in Mumbai, the platform quickly gained popularity across Indian cities.
Ola offered services such as:
- Ola Micro, Mini, Prime – Multi-tier car services.
- Ola Auto, Ola Bike – Affordable last-mile connectivity.
- Ola Share – Carpooling service for urban commuters. [3]
Ola Electric and Mobility Innovation
In 2017, Aggarwal founded Ola Electric Mobility to address India’s transition to clean energy. In 2021, Ola launched the Ola S1 electric scooter, supported by the large-scale Ola Futurefactory in Tamil Nadu, touted as one of the world’s largest EV plants.
His vision for a sustainable transport ecosystem includes:
- EV manufacturing and battery innovation.
- Investment in autonomous vehicles.
- Building India’s largest EV charging infrastructure. [4]
Leadership Style and Challenges
Aggarwal is known for his bold leadership and risk-taking mindset. Key challenges he faced include:
- Intense competition from Uber and other global rivals.
- Regulatory hurdles in India’s evolving mobility landscape.
- Balancing profitability with large-scale expansion and innovation.
Awards and Recognition
- Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018)
- Economic Times Entrepreneur of the Year (2017)
- Businessworld Young Entrepreneur Award
- Featured in TIME 100 Most Influential People
Vision and Future
Aggarwal envisions Ola as a comprehensive mobility platform with deep integration of AI, automation, and clean energy. Upcoming projects include:
- Expansion of EV offerings (including electric cars).
- Development of self-driving technologies.
- International market expansion and fintech services. [5]
Conclusion
Bhavish Aggarwal has emerged as one of India’s most influential entrepreneurs, driving change in transportation and clean energy. Through Ola and Ola Electric, he continues to lead India’s mobility transformation, contributing to both national innovation and global sustainability.