When you think of young Indian billionaires changing the future of business, one name rises rapidly — Ritesh Agarwal. A founder who turned a simple idea into a global hospitality empire, he represents dreams, grit, and entrepreneurial courage in modern India.

“Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, Indian entrepreneur”

Who Is Ritesh Agarwal?

Ritesh Agarwal (born 16 November 1993) is an Indian entrepreneur, billionaire, and the founder & CEO of PRISM — the parent company of OYO. He is a symbol of India’s new-age startup culture, leading a business that reimagined affordable travel and hotel stays not just in India but around the world. 

 Early Life & Humble Beginnings

Ritesh Agarwal's Childhood: An Ordinary Boy Who Changed the World!

"Do you know that OYO guy who saved us all from 'sticky hotels'? His beginnings were just as ordinary as ours!"

let's learn the story of Ritesh Agarwal - who went from being a boy from a middle-class family to the world's youngest self-made billionaire!

Chapter One: A Common Boy from Bihar

Born: November 16, 1993, in Chhapra, Bihar.

Family: Father an engineer at NTPC, mother a homemaker.

Key point: Due to his father's transferable job, he saw many cities during his childhood. This is where he developed a love for travel and understood the problems with hotels.

School Days: More interested in computers than studies!

School: Studied at Delhi Public School and St. John's School in Kota.

Classroom performance? Not very good! He was more interested in computers and technology than studies.

Created a blog at the age of 13! Yes, you heard that right! He was only 13 years old when he created a blog called "Indian Railway Catering," where he rated train food!

The College Decision: The risk he took paid off!

First, he went to Kota to prepare for IIT, but realized this wasn't the right path for him.

Then he got admission to Delhi School of Business.

And then the biggest risk: He dropped out of college after just one semester! Why? Because his OYO idea couldn't wait any longer!

Early Struggles: The Birth Story of OYO

1. First startup (2011): Started with the name Oravel Stays - which aimed to become India's Airbnb.

2. First funding: Received Rs 1.5 crore from the Thiel Fellowship! Imagine, such a large sum for an 18-19 year old boy!

3. The wrong path to the right path: From the experience with Oravel, he understood that India didn't need Airbnb, but good and affordable hotels. 4. OYO was born in 2013: "On Your Own Rooms" - a platform that would standardize hotels.

Family Support: Initial fear, then pride

Initially, his parents were worried - "Son, what will you do after dropping out of college?"

But seeing Ritesh's passion and hard work, they started supporting him.

Today, the whole family is very proud!

Big lessons for young people:

1. Age is just a number: Blog at 13, startup at 18, billionaire at 25!

2. Failure is not failure, it's feedback: Oravel didn't "fail," but **learned from it and created OYO.

3. Learn to take risks: Dropping out of college, coming up with a new idea - all were risks.

4. Turn problems into opportunities: He experienced the difficulties of finding hotels while traveling, so he created a solution.

5. Middle-class background is not a limiting mindset: Lack of money became motivation, not a roadblock.

Ritesh's story tells all young people:

"Your age, your background, your degree - nothing can stop you if you have a big idea and the passion to make it happen!"

The Birth of OYO: A Hospitality Revolution

In 2013, Ritesh launched OYO Rooms — a then-tiny hotel aggregator with a bold mission: to standardize affordable hotel stays for budget travelers

What made OYO stand out was its simple but game-changing model:

  • Partner with small hotel owners

  • Standardize rooms with assured cleanliness and comfort

  • Use technology to manage bookings and quality

  • Deliver consistent experiences at affordable prices

This blend of strategy and technology helped OYO grow rapidly in India and then expand across the globe — into Asia, Europe, the United States, and more

PRISM & Global Expansion

Under Ritesh’s leadership, PRISM — the parent company of OYO — ventures beyond budget hotels into vacation homes and tech-driven hospitality tools, creating solutions for millions of travelers and hotel partners worldwide. 

Today, PRISM powers properties in over 35 countries, transforming local hotels, BnBs, and vacation homes into modern, reliable travel accommodations. 

 Recognition & Achievements

Ritesh Agarwal’s story is not just inspiring — it’s globally recognized:

His presence on international business lists reflects not just wealth, but innovation, ambition, and impact. 

Beyond Business: Television & Thought Leadership

Ritesh isn’t just a CEO — he’s a recognized voice in entrepreneurship and culture. In 2024, he became one of the youngest investors/judges on Shark Tank India Season 3, inspiring millions of aspiring business founders

What Makes Ritesh Agarwal Inspirational?

From humble beginnings to leading a multi-billion-dollar hospitality business, Ritesh’s journey teaches us:

Dream big, even if you start small
Use challenges as fuel for growth
Tech + smart thinking can disrupt any industry
Age is not a barrier — passion is

Millions of young Indians see him not just as a billionaire, but as a hope catalyst for startup dreams.

Final Words: A Modern Indian Icon

Ritesh Agarwal is more than a billionaire — he is a symbol of modern India’s startup revolution. His life story shows that with vision and grit, young entrepreneurs can build enterprises that impact lives on a global scale