Biography of Ashish Goel: CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Ladder- Entrepreneur
Biography of Ashish Goel:
Ashish Goel, affectionately known as Ashgo among friends, is
the CEO and co-founder of Urban Ladder, a prominent Indian furniture brand. His
career trajectory has been marked by significant growth, driven by his belief
that true success is measured by the happiness it brings. Ashish Goel, often
affectionately known as Ashgo by friends, was born on October 25 and hails from
Ghaziabad, India. His early education took place at Delhi Public School,
Ghaziabad, where he developed a strong academic foundation.
Background and Education
Ashish Goel is a climate tech builder and evangelist, known
for his role as the co-founder and former CEO of Urban Ladder. His educational
journey began at DAV Public School in Ghaziabad, followed by Delhi Public
School. He then pursued a Dual Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian
Institute of Technology, Bombay, where he was actively involved as an editor
for the InsIghT magazine and participated in the Bridge team.
Ashish continued his education with a Post Graduate Program
in Management (PGP) at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, where he
engaged in the Consulting Club and the Forum for Industry Interaction. He
further enhanced his expertise with a certification in Climate Change for VCs
from Terra.do in early 2022.
Early Career
Ashish's career began with an internship at Procter and
Gamble in 2003, which offered him initial exposure to the corporate world. He
further advanced his career as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company,
where he worked for four years. This role provided him with valuable insights
into management consulting, strategic planning, and business operations, laying
the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial ventures.
Ashish's Path to Entrepreneurship
Humble Beginnings and Early Career
Like many successful entrepreneurs, Ashish came from modest
beginnings and built his success through hard work. His entrepreneurial journey
began while he was still studying for his MBA at IIM-B. A lesser-known fact is
that he interned at Procter & Gamble in 2003, though this short-term role
ended within the same year.
Career Launch and Consulting
Ashish's professional career took off after completing his
MBA in 2004 when he joined McKinsey & Company as an Engagement Manager. At
McKinsey, he provided strategic consulting to major Indian and global
corporations, leading project teams in sectors like banking, healthcare, and
real estate. His four years at McKinsey were instrumental in shaping his
business acumen and strategic thinking.
Transition to Amar Chitra Katha
After gaining substantial experience, Ashish decided to
explore new opportunities, including starting his own venture, ideally in the
lingerie industry. However, a friend, Samir Patil, had recently acquired Amar
Chitra Katha (ACK) Media, known for its popular brands like Amar Chitra Katha,
Tinkle, and Karadi Tales. Samir, along with some investors, asked Ashish to
join ACK as COO. Ashish accepted the role and contributed significantly over
nearly four years, including overseeing the acquisition of India Book House in
2010, a major book and magazine distributor.
Biography of Ashish Goel: CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Ladder- Entrepreneur/ Startup/Success story of Ashish Goel/Furniture/Life story of Ashish Goel
Leading and Innovating
In his role at ACK, Ashish was pivotal in enhancing media
access in India and driving innovation in the sector. After four years of
successful contributions, he decided it was time to pursue his entrepreneurial
dreams, marking the next chapter in his journey.
Leadership Roles
Ashish's next significant role was as COO at Amar Chitra
Katha, a company founded by his friend Samir Patil. During his tenure from 2008
to 2012, he was instrumental in steering the company through various challenges
and successes. Notably, he led a successful acquisition of India Book House, a
major distributor of books and magazines, and took on the role of managing
director of India Book House in 2011. These experiences honed his leadership
skills and deepened his understanding of business management.
Founding Urban Ladder
The idea for Urban Ladder emerged when Ashish moved to
Bengaluru with his friend and co-founder, Rajiv Srivatsa. Facing difficulties
in finding quality furniture for their new home, Ashish identified a
significant gap in the market. This realization led him and Rajiv to launch
Urban Ladder in July 2012. Urban Ladder is an Indian furniture and home décor
brand that aims to provide high-quality, stylish furniture and a seamless
shopping experience. The company has since grown into a prominent player in the
Indian e-commerce space.
Urban Ladder, founded by Ashish Goel and Rajiv Srivatsa, was
officially launched in July 2012 following a successful funding round where
they secured $1 million from Kalaari Capital. The company operates as an
omnichannel retailer, providing a wide range of furniture and décor products
through both online and offline channels.
Expansion and Presence
Since its inception, Urban Ladder has made significant
strides in expanding its geographic reach. The company has established a strong
presence in major Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh,
Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
This expansion reflects Urban Ladder’s commitment to serving customers across
the country and its ability to scale its operations effectively.
Core Values and Mission
Urban Ladder operates on a foundation of core values centered
around honesty, transparency, and customer obsession. These principles guide
the company's approach to business and customer service, ensuring that every
interaction and transaction aligns with its mission of delivering high-quality
products and an exceptional shopping experience.
Industry Recognition
Urban Ladder's commitment to excellence has been
acknowledged with several accolades. Notably, the company received the Best
Digital Start-up award at the 4th India Digital Awards, conducted by the Internet
and Mobile Association of India. This recognition underscores Urban Ladder's
innovation and success in leveraging digital platforms to enhance its business
operations and customer engagement.
The Birth of a New Venture
The Idea Emerges
After his stint with Urban Ladder, Ashish teamed up with his
long-time friend and college mate, Rajeev Srivatsa, to launch a new venture.
Rajeev, with over 13 years of experience at renowned companies like Yahoo,
Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Infosys Technologies Ltd., brought valuable
expertise to the table. Together, they made a formidable team for their new
business endeavor.
Identifying the Pain Point
Their venture idea stemmed from a personal challenge they
both experienced. When Ashish and Rajeev moved to Bangalore and bought new
apartments next to each other, they faced a frustrating struggle to find
reliable furniture. Due to a lack of trusted furniture brands and options, they
ended up without proper furniture and spent 14-15 months sleeping on the floor.
Market Gap Discovery
Upon researching the furniture market, which was valued at
$15 billion in India, they discovered a significant gap. Despite the size of
the market, no single player was valued at more than $100 million. This gap
highlighted a clear opportunity for them to address the unmet needs in the
furniture industry.
Personal Philosophy and Achievements
Ashish Goel's journey is characterized by his belief in
earning happiness as the ultimate result of success. Coming from modest
beginnings, his rise to success is a testament to his hard work, dedication,
and entrepreneurial spirit. Urban Ladder has become a leading name in the
furniture industry, reflecting his commitment to addressing market needs and
delivering exceptional products and services.
Current Role and Contact
As the CEO and co-founder of Urban Ladder, Ashish continues
to lead the company's strategic direction and growth. Urban Ladder is
headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, and serves a broad customer base
through its online platform. For professional inquiries or connections, Ashish
can be reached via email at ashish@urbanladder.com, and his LinkedIn profile
provides further insights into his career and achievements: Ashish Goel on
LinkedIn.
Timeline for Ashish Goel story
October 25, 1978
Birth: Ashish Goel is born in Ghaziabad, India.
Early Education
DAV Public School: Completes early schooling.
1995-2000
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay: Earns a Dual Degree
in Electrical Engineering.
2000-2002
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore: Completes Post
Graduate Program in Management (PGP).
2003
Procter & Gamble: Interns briefly.
2004-2008
McKinsey & Company: Works as an Engagement Manager.
2008-2012
Amar Chitra Katha (ACK): Serves as COO and contributes to
the acquisition of India Book House.
July 2012
Urban Ladder: Co-founds Urban Ladder with Rajiv Srivatsa.
2012
Funding: Secures $1 million from Kalaari Capital for Urban
Ladder.
2015
Expansion: Urban Ladder establishes a strong presence in
major Indian cities.
Industry Recognition
Best Digital Start-up: Urban Ladder wins at the 4th India
Digital Awards.
Early 2022
Certification: Completes Climate Change for VCs
certification from Terra.do.
