Beginning His Professional Journey
After completing his education at IIT Bombay, Bhavish started his professional career with Microsoft Research India. He initially joined as a research intern and later worked as an assistant researcher.
His time at Microsoft gave him valuable experience in technology and research. He was involved in research projects, filed patents and contributed to academic publications. However, working in research was not enough to satisfy his ambition. He wanted to create products and businesses that could solve practical problems for millions of people.
This desire eventually encouraged him to leave the corporate research environment and explore entrepreneurship.
The First Step Towards Ola
Before creating Ola, Bhavish experimented with an online travel venture called Olatrip.com. The idea did not develop into the successful business he had envisioned. Instead of treating this experience as the end of his entrepreneurial journey, he used it as a learning opportunity.
While exploring the challenges faced by travellers, he identified a much larger problem in India’s transportation sector. Finding convenient and reliable transportation was difficult in many cities, and technology offered an opportunity to improve the experience.
In 2010, Bhavish Aggarwal joined hands with Ankit Bhati to establish what became Ola Cabs. The company initially focused on making cab booking easier through technology.
At a time when app-based mobility services were still relatively new in India, Ola gradually expanded its operations and became an important player in the country’s ride-hailing industry.
The success of Ola established Bhavish as a prominent entrepreneur in India’s growing startup ecosystem. In 2018, TIME magazine included him in its TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people, recognizing his contribution to the development of Ola and India’s technology sector.
Moving Into Electric Mobility
Bhavish’s ambitions did not stop with online transportation.
In 2017, Ola Electric was established as a subsidiary of Ola. Over time, it developed into an independent electric-vehicle company with a major focus on electric two-wheelers.
The company began investing in electric scooter technology, manufacturing infrastructure, battery technology and research and development. Its manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu became an important part of its strategy to develop an integrated electric-vehicle ecosystem in India.
Ola Electric later became a publicly listed company, with Bhavish Aggarwal serving as its Founder, Chairman and Managing Director.
His move into electric vehicles reflected a broader interest in using technology to transform traditional industries. Rather than focusing only on transportation services, the company aimed to participate directly in the production and development of electric vehicles.
Entering the Artificial Intelligence Industry
Bhavish entered another rapidly developing technology sector when he launched Krutrim in 2023.
The company was established with the goal of developing artificial-intelligence technologies suited to India’s diverse linguistic and technological environment. One of its major areas of focus has been large language models capable of supporting Indian languages alongside English.
Krutrim attracted considerable attention in January 2024, when it raised $50 million at a reported valuation of $1 billion, making it India’s first AI startup to achieve unicorn status.
The company’s ambitions went beyond creating AI applications. It also explored areas such as computing infrastructure and AI-related technology.
As the AI industry developed, Krutrim’s strategy also evolved. By 2026, the company had shifted greater attention toward cloud services, demonstrating how technology startups can change their business direction as market conditions and priorities change.
Recognition Throughout His Career
Bhavish Aggarwal has received several recognitions during his career. Among the notable ones are:
- Forbes India 30 Under 30 – 2014
- Economic Times Entrepreneur of the Year – 2017
- TIME 100 Most Influential People – 2018
- TIME100 Climate List – 2023
These recognitions reflect the visibility he has gained across India’s technology, mobility and startup sectors.
Three Principles Behind His Entrepreneurial Approach
Bhavish Aggarwal has shared several ideas about entrepreneurship, with three recurring principles standing out.
1. Take the Opportunity
Starting a business involves uncertainty. His approach emphasizes having the courage to take a meaningful step toward an idea rather than constantly waiting for perfect conditions.
2. Focus on Genuine Problems
According to Aggarwal’s entrepreneurial philosophy, businesses should concentrate on solving real problems. When a product or service addresses an important need, it has the potential to create value for customers as well as build a sustainable business.
Ola addressed transportation challenges, Ola Electric focused on electric mobility, and Krutrim entered the field of AI and Indian-language technology.
3. Don’t Compromise on Quality
Building a company requires patience and continuous improvement. Aggarwal has emphasized the importance of avoiding shortcuts and continuing to work toward better products, technology and solutions.
Bhavish Aggarwal’s career has moved across several major technology waves — from software research and online travel to ride-hailing, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.
His early entrepreneurial experiment did not become a major success, but it provided experience that helped him identify a different opportunity. The creation and growth of Ola eventually opened the door to ventures in electric mobility and AI.
His story illustrates that an entrepreneurial career does not necessarily follow a straight path. Ideas can change, businesses can evolve, and setbacks can become learning experiences.
From an engineering student at IIT Bombay to building businesses across mobility, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey reflects the rapid transformation of India’s technology landscape.
His entrepreneurial philosophy can be summed up in three simple ideas:
Take the opportunity.
Solve meaningful problems.
Keep striving for better.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Bhavish Aggarwal?
Bhavish Aggarwal is an Indian entrepreneur known for co-founding Ola and founding Ola Electric and Krutrim.
2. When was Bhavish Aggarwal born?
Bhavish Aggarwal was born on 28 August 1985.
3. Where did Bhavish Aggarwal study?
He studied Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay and completed his bachelor’s degree in 2008.
4. Where did Bhavish Aggarwal work before starting Ola?
He worked at Microsoft Research India, where he was involved in technology research.
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