Biography of Bhavish Aggarwal: Founder of Ola Cabs- Entrepreneur
The Rise of Bhavish Aggarwal
Early Years and Education
Bhavish Aggarwal, born on August 28, 1985, grew up in
Ludhiana, Punjab, in a close-knit Punjabi Hindu family. His journey to becoming
a pioneer in technology began with a bachelor's degree in computer science and
engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2008.
During his time there, his passion for technology and innovation started to
take shape.
Microsoft Beginnings
Fresh out of college, Aggarwal embarked on his career
journey at Microsoft Research India. Starting as a research intern, he quickly
impressed with his keen intellect and dedication, leading to a permanent position
as an assistant researcher. This experience laid the groundwork for his future
endeavors in the tech world, providing him with invaluable insights and skills.
The Birth of Ola Cabs
Founding Ola Cabs
In 2010, Bhavish Aggarwal co-founded Ola Cabs, a
ride-hailing platform that would revolutionize transportation in India.
Frustrated with the lack of reliable taxi services, Aggarwal and his co-founder
saw an opportunity to leverage technology to connect commuters with drivers
efficiently. Their vision soon materialized into Ola Cabs, which quickly gained
popularity for its convenience and affordability.
Expansion and Success
Under Aggarwal's leadership as CEO, Ola Cabs expanded
rapidly across India, offering a range of transportation options from economic
rides to premium services. The platform's user-friendly interface and
competitive pricing made it a favorite among commuters, solidifying Ola's
position as a market leader in the ride-hailing industry.
Early Career and Entrepreneurial Journey
Bhavish Aggarwal embarked on his professional journey at
Microsoft, where he spent two years making significant contributions. During
this time, he filed two patents and authored three papers that were published
in renowned international journals. Eager to explore new opportunities, he
later co-founded Ola Cabs in January 2011 alongside Ankit Bhati in Bengaluru.
Their venture would soon revolutionize the transportation sector in India.
Inception of Ola Cabs
The inception of Ola Cabs was sparked by a frustrating
personal experience Bhavish had with a taxi service. This encounter prompted
him and Ankit Bhati to establish Ola in 2010, aiming to provide a reliable and
convenient cab service across the country. Their vision quickly gained
traction, transforming Ola into a household name synonymous with urban
mobility.
Challenges Amidst Growth
Despite its rapid expansion, Ola Cabs faced a formidable
challenge in May 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a staggering 95% decline in
revenue, forcing the company to make difficult decisions. Ola announced a significant
layoff of approximately 5000 employees as part of its strategy to navigate the
economic downturn. However, Bhavish remained optimistic about the future,
foreseeing a shift towards technological innovations like car rentals and
subscription-based car ownership models.
Biography of Bhavish Aggarwal:Founder & CEO of Ola Cabs-Indian Entrepreneur/Businessman/Electric Vehicles/Startup culture/Early life/struggles story
Transition and Future Focus
In April 2022, an internal communication to Ola employees
revealed a pivotal change in leadership. Bhavish Aggarwal announced his
decision to step back from the day-to-day operations of the company. His shift
in focus would now be directed towards steering Ola's ventures into electric
vehicles and quick-commerce. This strategic move reflected Bhavish's commitment
to steering Ola towards sustainability and future technological advancements.
Innovating for the Future
Venturing into Electric Vehicles
Never one to rest on his laurels, Bhavish Aggarwal founded
Ola Electric, aiming to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) industry in
India. Recognizing the environmental benefits and potential for innovation in
EVs, Aggarwal spearheaded initiatives to make electric mobility more accessible
and mainstream. Ola Electric's efforts marked a significant step towards sustainable
transportation solutions.
OlaKrutrim and AI Leadership
In addition to his ventures in transportation, Aggarwal
established OlaKrutrim, an AI company specializing in large language models. In
2024, OlaKrutrim achieved unicorn status in India, valued at $1 billion,
affirming Aggarwal's vision and leadership in the AI sector. His commitment to
harnessing AI for diverse applications underscores his ambition to drive
technological advancements across industries.
Recognition and Influence
Time Magazine's Influence
Bhavish Aggarwal's impact transcends his entrepreneurial
success. In 2018, he was honored in Time magazine's prestigious list of 100
Most Influential People, recognizing his contributions to technology and
innovation. His journey from a driven young engineer to a visionary
entrepreneur continues to inspire aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs
worldwide.
Bhavish Aggarwal's Controversial Remarks Spark Online
Backlash
In May 2024, Bhavish Aggarwal took to his Twitter account to
express his concerns about a trend he observed in Indian schools and job
applications. He criticized what he called the "pronoun illness,"
fearing its spread to India from the West. According to him, many urban schools
in India were beginning to teach children about gender pronouns, and he noted
an increasing number of CVs mentioning pronouns. Bhavish questioned whether
India should blindly follow Western practices without setting its own
boundaries.
The Ultimate Success
Ola, which was a mere vision of two young IIT grads in the
beginning, has now become a million-dollar company that provides livelihood to
thousands of cab drivers and is a crucial part of millions of people’s everyday
lives in many cities. Not many people have known this fact that Ola was named
‘Startup of the Year’ in 2015 by The Economic Times and even received the
‘Leadership Award for Outstanding Startup’ from Forbes India.
For this incredible success, Bhavish Aggarwal was also
listed among ’30 under 30′ by Hindustan Times and Forbes. Today, Ola is valued
at about $10 billion today, making it the most popular platform for cab booking
in India.
Backlash and Accusations
However, Bhavish Aggarwal's remarks quickly ignited a storm
of controversy online. Critics on social media platforms, including X,
condemned his comments as homophobic, transphobic, and conservative. They
argued that his labeling of gender pronouns as a "western illness"
was dismissive and insensitive towards LGBTQ+ communities. The backlash
intensified as users expressed disappointment and anger over his views.
LinkedIn Intervention and Business Impact
The controversy took a further turn when LinkedIn intervened
by removing Bhavish's posts related to "gender illness," citing
violations of community guidelines. This action by LinkedIn, a prominent
professional networking platform, underscored the seriousness of the backlash against
Bhavish's remarks. In response to LinkedIn's decision, Ola Cabs, the company
Bhavish co-founded, made a strategic move. They switched their cloud services
provider from Microsoft Azure, a decision perceived by many as a response to
the controversy surrounding Bhavish's statements.
In summary, Bhavish Aggarwal's comments on gender pronouns
sparked significant controversy and criticism online. While he expressed
concerns about cultural influences from the West, his remarks were interpreted
by many as derogatory towards LGBTQ+ individuals. The incident not only led to
a social media backlash but also had business implications, affecting the
operations of Ola Cabs.
