Bhavish Aggarwal founded Ola in 2010 and later entered the electric-vehicle and AI sectors.
Ola Electric became one of India’s most talked-about EV brands with its scooter business.
Krutrim entered the AI sector with a focus on cloud services and Indian-language AI tools.
The Indian startup scene has seen plenty of founders over the last decade, but not many dared to hop across industries as fast as Bhavish Aggarwal. From ride-hailing to electric vehicles to artificial intelligence, he went into areas that require significant funding and serious, years-ahead planning.
Aggarwal first got real attention when he launched Ola in 2010 with Ankit Bhati. Back then, app-based cab booking was still kinda early in India, so Ola expanded quickly and soon became one of the biggest startup stories in the country.
Through the years, Bhavish Aggarwal built a reputation as someone ready to gamble. His ventures often kept showing up in the headlines because of rapid scaling, bold public statements, and pretty intense go-to-market plans.
At the same time, his path hasn’t been smooth. There were complaints from Ola customers, as well as concerns about Krutrim’s next steps and direction. So even now, his companies stay in the spotlight, one way or another.
Bhavish Aggarwal was born in Ludhiana, Punjab. He studied computer science at IIT Bombay. After college, he joined Microsoft and worked there as a research engineer. During one of his trips, he had a bad experience with a taxi driver. That incident stayed in his mind. He felt that people in India needed a better, safer way to book cabs. In 2010, he left his job and started Ola with Ankit Bhati to address the gap.
At that time, app-based taxi services were still new in India. Most people booked cabs by phone or relied on local drivers. Ola started small, but the company grew quickly as smartphone use increased across the country. People found booking on the app easier and faster.
The company later added autos, bike taxis, and rental services. Ola expanded into many cities and became one of India’s biggest startup names, though the prices were a bit higher than normal booking services. The company's rise brought Bhavish fame and recognition in the business world. Investors supported Ola heavily during its growth years.
However, soon after the business reached a peak, it faced a tough competition from Uber. Uber brought the same service with more convenience and a slightly lower price. Still, Ola managed to hold a strong place in the Indian market.
In 2017, Aggarwal launched Ola Electric. He wanted to focus on electric mobility at a time when the EV market in India was still developing. The company launched electric scooters under the Ola S1 range. The scooters gained attention for their modern design and smart features.
Ola Electric also announced a large factory in Tamil Nadu. The company said the plant would help increase EV production in India. Many young buyers showed interest in the scooters. Online sales and strong marketing helped the company stay in the news.
As sales increased, the company also faced problems. Some customers reported software bugs, delivery delays, and service issues. Complaints on social media became common.
Competition in the EV market also became stronger. Companies like TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, and Ather Energy started attracting more buyers. Bhavish Aggarwal also faced criticism over workplace culture. Some former workers described the environment as stressful. Others, however, said pressure is common in fast-growing startups. Even after criticism, Ola Electric continues to invest in manufacturing and battery technology.
In 2023, Aggarwal entered another field by launching Krutrim. The company focuses on artificial intelligence and cloud services. Aggarwal said India should build its own AI systems rather than relying entirely on foreign companies.
Krutrim quickly gained attention in the Indian tech sector. In early 2024, it became India’s first AI unicorn. The company also spoke about AI tools for Indian languages and local users.
Krutrim has also seen challenges in its early stages. Reports discussed leadership exits and changes to company plans. Some reports said the company shifted focus more toward cloud services.
Building AI systems requires significant investment and robust technical support. Many experts believe this area will remain highly competitive for years. Still, Aggarwal continues to speak strongly about India’s future in AI.
Bhavish Aggarwal remains one of the most discussed startup founders in India. Some people see him as a bold entrepreneur who is trying to build Indian companies in difficult sectors. Others feel his companies grow too quickly and face execution problems.
His impact on India’s startup world is clear. From cab booking to electric vehicles and AI, he has entered businesses where competition is intense, and success is never easy. The coming years may decide how people remember his journey. Much will depend on how Ola Electric and Krutrim perform in the future.