Ritesh Agarwal - Revision history

Jain13tushar at 13:43, 31 October 2021

2021-10-31T13:43:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:13, 31 October 2021
Line 25:		Line 25:

	==Early years==		==Early years==
	Ritesh Agarwal was born in [[Bissam Cuttack]] town of [[Odisha]] state, [[India]] and brought up in [[Titilagarh]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|title=Here are 6 interesting facts you didn't know about OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal\|website=Business Insider\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005356/https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|title=21-Yr-Old Start-Up Entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal Started By Selling SIM Cards In Rayagada\|date=6 October 2015\|work=The Times of India\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818171117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|archive-date=18 August 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|title=His ₹30 lakh stake in Oyo would have been thousands of crores today but...\|date=25 July 2019\|website=[[livemint]]\|language=en\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729065521/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|access-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|title=For OYO's Ritesh Agarwal, there is more room for growth\|last=Chengappa\|first=Sangeetha\|website=@businessline\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721010902/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|archive-date=21 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/oyo-raises-0.2-billion-fund-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-turned-his-idea-into-indias-second-most-valuable-start-up-5273221.html\|title=OYO raises $1 billion fund: How 24-year-old Ritesh Agarwal turned his idea into India's second most valuable start-up\|website=Firstpost\|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> Ritesh comes from a family that used to run a small shop in Southern Orissa.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Ritesh Agarwal: Interesting facts about oyo founder ritesh agarwal \|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms \|work=Business Insider}}</ref> At the age of 13, he started selling SIM cards.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|title=SIM card seller, college dropout, millionaire at 22: Boy from Naxal area scripts incredible story\|date=25 June 2018\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513083721/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|archive-date=13 May 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from St. Johns Senior Secondary School and moved to [[Delhi]] in 2011 for college.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|title=Too many entrepreneurs give up, says Oyo CEO Ritesh Agarwal\|last=Jr\|first=Bernd Debusmann\|website=ArabianBusiness.com\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154314/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|archive-date=15 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped out of college, and was selected for the [[Thiel Fellowship]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|title=Peter Thiel's advice helped this 25-year-old build one of India's most valuable start-ups\|first=Karen\|last=Gilchrist\|date=30 January 2019\|website=CNBC\|access-date=26 June 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614104046/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|archive-date=14 June 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/ritesh-agarwal-a-young-indian-entrepreneur-selected-for-thiel-fellowship/articleshow/20003560.cms\|title=Ritesh Agarwal, a young Indian entrepreneur selected for 'Thiel Fellowship'\|last=Nair\|first=Radhika P.\|date=11 May 2013\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>		Ritesh Agarwal was born in [[Bissam Cuttack]] town of [[Odisha]] state, [[India]] and brought up in [[Titilagarh]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|title=Here are 6 interesting facts you didn't know about OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal\|website=Business Insider\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005356/https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|title=21-Yr-Old Start-Up Entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal Started By Selling SIM Cards In Rayagada\|date=6 October 2015\|work=The Times of India\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818171117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|archive-date=18 August 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|title=His ₹30 lakh stake in Oyo would have been thousands of crores today but...\|date=25 July 2019\|website=[[livemint]]\|language=en\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729065521/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|access-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|title=For OYO's Ritesh Agarwal, there is more room for growth\|last=Chengappa\|first=Sangeetha\|website=@businessline\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721010902/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|archive-date=21 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/oyo-raises-0.2-billion-fund-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-turned-his-idea-into-indias-second-most-valuable-start-up-5273221.html\|title=OYO raises $1 billion fund: How 24-year-old Ritesh Agarwal turned his idea into India's second most valuable start-up\|website=Firstpost\|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> Ritesh comes from a family that used to run a small shop in Southern Orissa.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Ritesh Agarwal: Interesting facts about oyo founder ritesh agarwal \|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms \|work=Business Insider}}</ref> At the age of 13, he started selling SIM cards.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|title=SIM card seller, college dropout, millionaire at 22: Boy from Naxal area scripts incredible story\|date=25 June 2018\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513083721/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|archive-date=13 May 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from St. Johns Senior Secondary School and moved to [[Delhi]] in 2011 for college.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|title=Too many entrepreneurs give up, says Oyo CEO Ritesh Agarwal\|last=Jr\|first=Bernd Debusmann\|website=ArabianBusiness.com\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154314/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|archive-date=15 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped out of college, and was selected for the [[Thiel Fellowship]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|title=Peter Thiel's advice helped this 25-year-old build one of India's most valuable start-ups\|first=Karen\|last=Gilchrist\|date=30 January 2019\|website=CNBC\|access-date=26 June 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614104046/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|archive-date=14 June 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/ritesh-agarwal-a-young-indian-entrepreneur-selected-for-thiel-fellowship/articleshow/20003560.cms\|title=Ritesh Agarwal, a young Indian entrepreneur selected for 'Thiel Fellowship'\|last=Nair\|first=Radhika P.\|date=11 May 2013\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==

Jain13tushar at 13:41, 31 October 2021

2021-10-31T13:41:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:11, 31 October 2021
Line 25:		Line 25:

	==Early years==		==Early years==
	Ritesh Agarwal was born in [[Bissam Cuttack]] town of [[Odisha]] state, [[India]] and brought up in [[Titilagarh]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|title=Here are 6 interesting facts you didn't know about OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal\|website=Business Insider\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005356/https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|title=21-Yr-Old Start-Up Entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal Started By Selling SIM Cards In Rayagada\|date=6 October 2015\|work=The Times of India\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818171117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|archive-date=18 August 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|title=His ₹30 lakh stake in Oyo would have been thousands of crores today but...\|date=25 July 2019\|website=[[livemint]]\|language=en\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729065521/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|access-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|title=For OYO's Ritesh Agarwal, there is more room for growth\|last=Chengappa\|first=Sangeetha\|website=@businessline\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721010902/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|archive-date=21 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/oyo-raises-0.2-billion-fund-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-turned-his-idea-into-indias-second-most-valuable-start-up-5273221.html\|title=OYO raises $1 billion fund: How 24-year-old Ritesh Agarwal turned his idea into India's second most valuable start-up\|website=Firstpost\|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> Ritesh comes from a family that used to run a small shop in Southern Orissa.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Ritesh Agarwal: Interesting facts about oyo founder ritesh agarwal \|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms \|work=Business Insider}}</ref> At the age of 13, he started selling SIM cards.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|title=SIM card seller, college dropout, millionaire at 22: Boy from Naxal area scripts incredible story\|date=25 June 2018\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513083721/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|archive-date=13 May 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from St. Johns Senior Secondary School and moved to [[Delhi]] in 2011 for college.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|title=Too many entrepreneurs give up, says Oyo CEO Ritesh Agarwal\|last=Jr\|first=Bernd Debusmann\|website=ArabianBusiness.com\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154314/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|archive-date=15 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped out of college, and was selected for the [[Thiel Fellowship]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|title=Peter Thiel's advice helped this 25-year-old build one of India's most valuable start-ups\|first=Karen\|last=Gilchrist\|date=30 January 2019\|website=CNBC\|access-date=26 June 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614104046/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|archive-date=14 June 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/ritesh-agarwal-a-young-indian-entrepreneur-selected-for-thiel-fellowship/articleshow/20003560.cms\|title=Ritesh Agarwal, a young Indian entrepreneur selected for 'Thiel Fellowship'\|last=Nair\|first=Radhika P.\|date=11 May 2013\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>		Ritesh Agarwal was born in [[Bissam Cuttack]] town of [[Odisha]] state, [[India]] and brought up in [[Titilagarh]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|title=Here are 6 interesting facts you didn't know about OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal\|website=Business Insider\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005356/https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|title=21-Yr-Old Start-Up Entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal Started By Selling SIM Cards In Rayagada\|date=6 October 2015\|work=The Times of India\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818171117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms\|archive-date=18 August 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|title=His ₹30 lakh stake in Oyo would have been thousands of crores today but...\|date=25 July 2019\|website=[[livemint]]\|language=en\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729065521/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html\|archive-date=29 July 2019\|access-date=29 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|title=For OYO's Ritesh Agarwal, there is more room for growth\|last=Chengappa\|first=Sangeetha\|website=@businessline\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721010902/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece\|archive-date=21 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/oyo-raises-0.2-billion-fund-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-turned-his-idea-into-indias-second-most-valuable-start-up-5273221.html\|title=OYO raises $1 billion fund: How 24-year-old Ritesh Agarwal turned his idea into India's second most valuable start-up\|website=Firstpost\|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> Ritesh comes from a family that used to run a small shop in Southern Orissa.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Ritesh Agarwal: Interesting facts about oyo founder ritesh agarwal \|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms \|work=Business Insider}}</ref> At the age of 13, he started selling SIM cards.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|title=SIM card seller, college dropout, millionaire at 22: Boy from Naxal area scripts incredible story\|date=25 June 2018\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513083721/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms\|archive-date=13 May 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from St. Johns Senior Secondary School and moved to [[Delhi]] in 2011 for college.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|title=Too many entrepreneurs give up, says Oyo CEO Ritesh Agarwal\|last=Jr\|first=Bernd Debusmann\|website=ArabianBusiness.com\|language=en\|access-date=29 July 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154314/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal\|archive-date=15 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped out of college, and was selected for the [[Thiel Fellowship]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|title=Peter Thiel's advice helped this 25-year-old build one of India's most valuable start-ups\|first=Karen\|last=Gilchrist\|date=30 January 2019\|website=CNBC\|access-date=26 June 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614104046/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html\|archive-date=14 June 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/ritesh-agarwal-a-young-indian-entrepreneur-selected-for-thiel-fellowship/articleshow/20003560.cms\|title=Ritesh Agarwal, a young Indian entrepreneur selected for 'Thiel Fellowship'\|last=Nair\|first=Radhika P.\|date=11 May 2013\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==

>Adamsamuelwilson at 10:26, 5 October 2021

2021-10-05T10:26:10Z

New page

{{short description|Indian}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name =Ritesh Agarwal
| image = OYO, owo Ritesh Agrawal.jpg
| caption = Agarwal in 2019
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|16|df=y}}
| birth_place =[[Rayagada| Bissam Cuttack]]
| alma_mater =
| net_worth = (₹7253 Crores)
| occupation = [[CEO]] and Founder of [[Oyo Rooms|OYO]]
| years_active = 2012–present
| organization = [[OYO Rooms]]
| notable_works =
| title = Group [[CEO]] OF [[OYO Rooms|OYO]]
| nickname =
| awards = [[Thiel Fellowship]]
| website =
| signature =
}}{{Undisclosed paid|See User talk:Kulwinder Rishi|date=July 2021}}{{Advert|date=July 2021}}

'''Ritesh Agarwal'''(born 16 November 1993) is an [[List of Indian people by net worth|Indian entrepreneur]] and the Founder and CEO of [[Oyo Rooms|OYO Rooms]]. He is known as the second youngest billionaire in 2021 in India. <ref>{{Cite web|title=How Rich Is Kylie Jenner After the End of ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’?|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-kylie-jenner-end-keeping-110000351.html|access-date=2021-10-01|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en}}</ref> However, Agarwal is not on either Forbes or Business Insider billionaires list.<ref name="LM" /><ref name="TN" /> Agarwal is also a recipient of the Business World Young Entrepreneur Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ritesh Agarwal |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ritesh-agarwal/?sh=6116303c11cb |website=Forbes |access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref>

==Early years==
Ritesh Agarwal was born in [[Bissam Cuttack]] town of [[Odisha]] state, [[India]] and brought up in [[Titilagarh]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms|title=Here are 6 interesting facts you didn't know about OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal|website=Business Insider|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005356/https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms|title=21-Yr-Old Start-Up Entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal Started By Selling SIM Cards In Rayagada|date=6 October 2015|work=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818171117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Runaway-to-riches-OYO-Rooms-founders-story/articleshow/49243804.cms|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html|title=His ₹30 lakh stake in Oyo would have been thousands of crores today but...|date=25 July 2019|website=[[livemint]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729065521/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/his-rs-30-lakh-stake-in-oyo-would-have-been-thousands-of-crores-today-but-1564039376738.html|archive-date=29 July 2019|access-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece|title=For OYO's Ritesh Agarwal, there is more room for growth|last=Chengappa|first=Sangeetha|website=@businessline|language=en|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721010902/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/for-oyos-ritesh-agarwal-there-is-more-room-for-growth/article25041007.ece|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/oyo-raises-0.2-billion-fund-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-turned-his-idea-into-indias-second-most-valuable-start-up-5273221.html|title=OYO raises $1 billion fund: How 24-year-old Ritesh Agarwal turned his idea into India's second most valuable start-up|website=Firstpost|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> Ritesh comes from a family that used to run a small shop in Southern Orissa.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ritesh Agarwal: Interesting facts about oyo founder ritesh agarwal |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal/articleshow/70417612.cms |work=Business Insider}}</ref> At the age of 13, he started selling SIM cards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms|title=SIM card seller, college dropout, millionaire at 22: Boy from Naxal area scripts incredible story|date=25 June 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513083721/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/sim-card-seller-college-dropout-millionaire-at-22-boy-from-naxal-area-scripts-incredible-story/articleshow/64678808.cms|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from St. Johns Senior Secondary School and moved to [[Delhi]] in 2011 for college.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal|title=Too many entrepreneurs give up, says Oyo CEO Ritesh Agarwal|last=Jr|first=Bernd Debusmann|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154314/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/423828-too-many-entrepreneurs-give-up-says-oyo-ceo-ritesh-agarwal|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped out of college, and was selected for the [[Thiel Fellowship]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html|title=Peter Thiel's advice helped this 25-year-old build one of India's most valuable start-ups|first=Karen|last=Gilchrist|date=30 January 2019|website=CNBC|access-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614104046/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/lessons-from-peter-thiel-helped-ritesh-agarwal-build-indias-oyo.html|archive-date=14 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/ritesh-agarwal-a-young-indian-entrepreneur-selected-for-thiel-fellowship/articleshow/20003560.cms|title=Ritesh Agarwal, a young Indian entrepreneur selected for 'Thiel Fellowship'|last=Nair|first=Radhika P.|date=11 May 2013|work=The Economic Times|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>

==Career==
Agarwal started a budget accommodation portal, Oravel Stays, for booking budget hotels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/-if-you-meet-a-17-or-18-year-old-entrepreneur-just-invest-in-their-firm-1562613919475.html|title=If you meet a 17- or 18-year-old entrepreneur, just invest in their firm|date=9 July 2019|language=en|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729010354/https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/-if-you-meet-a-17-or-18-year-old-entrepreneur-just-invest-in-their-firm-1562613919475.html|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/new-cayman-base-to-bring-funds-to-oyo/articleshow/70253747.cms|title=Ritesh Agarwal's Cayman based firm to bring funds to Oyo|date=17 July 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720093159/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/new-cayman-base-to-bring-funds-to-oyo/articleshow/70253747.cms|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was accepted into the accelerator program by Venture Nursery in September 2012, and later was one of the winners of the 2013 [[Thiel Fellowship]] program, receiving a grant of $100,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/meet-oyo-rooms-ritesh-agarwal-the-dropout-who-dined-with-peter-thiel/articleshow/48536789.cms|title=Meet OYO Rooms' Ritesh Agarwal: The dropout who dined with Peter Thiel|last=Menon|first=Rashmi|date=19 August 2015|work=The Economic Times|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729054437/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/meet-oyo-rooms-ritesh-agarwal-the-dropout-who-dined-with-peter-thiel/articleshow/48536789.cms|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/ZbqDGYUN0yfhtB2syOIDVP/Oravel-founder-Ritesh-Agarwal-wins-Thiel-Fellowship.html|title=Oravel founder Ritesh Agarwal wins Thiel Fellowship|last=Bergen|first=Mark|date=10 May 2013|website=[[Livemint]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720180638/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/ZbqDGYUN0yfhtB2syOIDVP/Oravel-founder-Ritesh-Agarwal-wins-Thiel-Fellowship.html|archive-date=20 July 2019|access-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The company was launched as OYO Rooms in May 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/ritesh-agarwals-oyo-softbank-set-up-investment-vehicle-seek-cci-approval-for-increasing-stake-in-oravel-stays/1645590/|title=Ritesh Agarwal's OYO, SoftBank set up investment vehicle, seek CCI approval for increasing stake in Oravel Stays|date=16 July 2019|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729010354/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/ritesh-agarwals-oyo-softbank-set-up-investment-vehicle-seek-cci-approval-for-increasing-stake-in-oravel-stays/1645590/|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/oyo-manages-more-rooms-in-china-than-in-india/articleshow/66725906.cms|title=OYO manages more rooms in China than in India|last=Gooptu|first=Biswarup|date=21 November 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729054438/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/oyo-manages-more-rooms-in-china-than-in-india/articleshow/66725906.cms|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/this-is-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-built-oyo-rooms-a-5-billion-hotel-chain-in-just-five-years/1327354/|title=This is how 24 year-old Ritesh Agarwal built OYO Rooms a $5 billion hotel chain in just five years|date=26 September 2018|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729062517/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/this-is-how-24-year-old-ritesh-agarwal-built-oyo-rooms-a-5-billion-hotel-chain-in-just-five-years/1327354/|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

By September 2018, the company raised $1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/mOub1Fgn8EDw9gtYigaqHN/How-24yearold-Ritesh-Agarwal-built-Oyo-into-a-5-billion-s.html|title=How 24-year-old Ritesh Agarwal built Oyo into a $5 billion startup in just 5 years|last=Bloomberg|first=Saritha Rai|date=26 September 2018|website=www.livemint.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416074446/https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/mOub1Fgn8EDw9gtYigaqHN/How-24yearold-Ritesh-Agarwal-built-Oyo-into-a-5-billion-s.html|archive-date=16 April 2019|access-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2019, it was reported that Agarwal purchased $2 billion in shares in the company, tripling his stake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal-to-triple-his-stake-with-2-bn-share-buyback-1563529810359.html|title=Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal to triple his stake with $2 bn share buyback|last=Chaudhary|first=Deepti|date=19 July 2019|language=en|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721010858/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal-to-triple-his-stake-with-2-bn-share-buyback-1563529810359.html|archive-date=21 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/07/19/indias-oyo-valued-at-10b-after-founder-purchases-2b-in-shares/|title=India's Oyo valued at $10B after founder purchases $2B in shares|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=21 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal-to-buy-back-shares-from-early-investors-for-usd-2-bn/articleshow/70291363.cms|title=OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal to buy back shares from early investors for USD 2 bn - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806182235/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal-to-buy-back-shares-from-early-investors-for-usd-2-bn/articleshow/70291363.cms|archive-date=6 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

His net worth in 2020 was estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion (₹7253 crore) according to Hurun Rich List 2020. As of February 2020, he is the second youngest self-made billionaire in the world after [[Kylie Jenner]].<ref name="LM">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/people/oyo-s-ritesh-agarwal-is-the-world-s-second-youngest-self-made-billionaire-11582782072380.html|title=Oyo's Ritesh Agarwal is the world's second youngest self-made billionaire|first=Nikhil|last=Agarwal|date=27 February 2020|website=Livemint|access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="TN">{{cite news |last1=Tyagi |first1=Harshita |title=This 26-yr-old Indian just became world's 2nd youngest self-made billionaire |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/article/this-26-yr-old-indian-just-became-worlds-2nd-youngest-self-made-billionaire/558457 |access-date=27 November 2020 |work=Times Now |date=27 February 2020}}</ref>

He is listed in the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Asia.<ref>{{cite news |title=30 Under 30 2016 Asia: Consumer Tech |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-asia-2016/consumer-tech/#71f50e337827 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

==Controversies==
Agarwal signed agreements through his company OYO with hotel owners in the US in which the buildings of the owners will be rebranded under the OYO name in exchange of compensation and guaranteed revenue, but left out the information that OYO is not authorised to operate franchise business in the state of California for which in March 2019, OYO was fined $200,000 by California regulators. The company also received a [[cease and desist]] order from Washington, after regulators found OYO made offers to many hotel owners and managers, without proper registration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jeans |first1=David |title=Softbank-Backed Hotel Unicorn Oyo Faces Regulatory Smackdown In Multiple U.S. States |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidjeans/2020/04/23/softbank-backed-hotel-unicorn-oyo-faces-regulatory-smackdown-in-multiple-us-states/?sh=a57280061c3e |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Forbes |date=23 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Allegations of fraud ===
In September 2020, a case was lodged against Agarwal in Dera Bassi by a Chandigarh-based businessman for fraud and conspiracy under IPC 420 (cheating) 120 B (criminal conspiracy).<ref>{{cite news |title=Oyo founder booked for fraud, company refutes charges |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/oyo-founder-ritesh-agarwal-booked-for-fraud-criminal-conspiracy/story-azHBHSNyk4EjTNqCbNgC8I.html |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

OYO faced backlash from 10,000 hotel owners in India. According to them, OYO takes up half or more of the revenues through fees that are not disclosed at the time when the hotels join OYO.

According to an October 2019 report, police cases were filed against OYO by hotel operators in Bangalore, Mysuru, and other cities of Karnataka accusing Agarwal of fraud. The latter, however, successfully appealed for a stay order on one case in Bangalore.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hotel operators who partnered with Oyo call it 'biggest online fraud', demand criminal probe against Softbank-backed startup now poised to raise $1.5 bn - Business News, Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/hotel-operators-who-partnered-with-oyo-call-it-biggest-online-fraud-demand-criminal-probe-against-softbank-backed-startup-7462021.html |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=8 October 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Twitter|id=riteshagar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agarwal, Ritesh}}
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:People from Rayagada district]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Odisha]]
[[Category:Thiel fellows]]