Ritesh Agarwal, 30, hails from Rayagada, Odisha, India, and is known as the visionary founder of OYO Rooms, one of the world’s largest hotel chains. An entrepreneur at heart from a young age, Ritesh has become a symbol of the Indian startup dream. Here are 15 things about him that might surprise you!

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Ritesh Agarwal

1. Family Influence
   Although Ritesh chose a nontraditional career, his family—especially his elder siblings who were academic high-achievers—inspired him. They followed conventional paths, setting an example that encouraged him to pursue his dreams in business.
2. Earliest Venture at Age 7
   Ritesh began selling SIM cards in his early teens, showing his entrepreneurial spirit even as a young student.
3. Drawn to Entrepreneurship by Curiosity
   He first came across the term “entrepreneur” while in school and was intrigued by the idea of building something unique, even if he didn’t fully understand it.
4. The Dream to Make a Difference
   From a young age, Ritesh wanted to make a positive impact, which became a driving force behind his ventures, ultimately leading to OYO Rooms.
5. Inspiration from Publications
   Ritesh’s inspiration to start OYO partly came from reading business magazines like Forbes and TechCrunch. These publications sparked his interest in the world of startups and entrepreneurship.
6. Peter Thiel’s Influence
   Ritesh discovered Peter Thiel’s concepts through his reading, learning about the Thiel Fellowship and valuable startup principles like “competition is for losers.”
7. Leaving Home for Growth
   Ritesh moved from his hometown to Kota for his 11th and 12th grades, aiming to be near cities where entrepreneurial opportunities existed.
8. Supportive Parents as a Success Secret
   Contrary to popular belief, Ritesh believes staying close to family, having open discussions, and securing their support are crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs.
9. “The Power of Naivety”
   Ritesh believes his success was partly due to his youthful naivety. He tried new things because he didn’t fully realize entrepreneurship’s difficulty.
10. Surrounding Himself with Mentors
    He emphasizes the importance of surrounding himself with people he aspires to be like. He has cultivated a network of small business owners, industry experts, and top brand creators.
11. Learning from Local Business Owners
    Ritesh’s friendships with local hotel owners helped him learn the hospitality industry’s nuances, forming a crucial part of OYO’s early strategy.
12. Open Conversations as a Convincing Strategy
    Ritesh believes in having open discussions with his family to secure their support, a skill he also applies to gain investors’ trust.
13. Simplicity of Success
    He often shares that starting from ground zero, even when pitching to family, builds resilience and improves the ability to convince others.
14. Advice on Comfort Zone
    Ritesh encourages young entrepreneurs to push beyond their comfort zones, emphasizing that growth comes from learning and stretching capabilities.
15. Focused on Personal Responsibility
    Ritesh believes in living independently, whether at home or elsewhere, to develop discipline and responsibility, traits essential for running a business.

Ritesh Agarwal’s journey is filled with lessons about resilience, family, and the value of supportive ecosystems. His story is a reminder that, with the right mindset and determination, anyone can achieve remarkable success.