At some point, we’ve all found ourselves without access to public transport or a personal vehicle—whether needing an early morning ride to the airport, a lift home after a late night out, or transportation in an emergency. During such times, cab services have been our saviors. One company that has consistently been there for us is Ola Cabs, led by its visionary co-founder and CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal.

Bhavish Aggarwal’s Early Life and Education

Bhavish Aggarwal was born in Ludhiana, Punjab, and pursued his B.Tech degree from IIT Bombay. His corporate journey began at Microsoft, where he joined as a Research Intern in 2007 and later became an Assistant Researcher in 2008. After more than two years in the corporate world, Bhavish yearned to create something of his own. This led him to co-found Ola Cabs in 2010, where he has served as CEO ever since.

Bhavish Aggarwal’s Career

Ola Cabs has attracted significant investment from major players like SoftBank Group Corp and Tiger Global Management. The company’s electric vehicle arm, Ola Electrics, has swiftly captured 38% of the EV market. According to the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles, Ola has sold over 239,000 electric scooters since December 2021, as reported by Mint.

Looking ahead, Bhavish plans to expand his business with the launch of a bicycle by the end of 2023 and a battery-powered automobile in 2024. Ola also aims to export scooters to Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

According to India Times, Ola differentiates itself by partnering with taxi drivers and owners rather than maintaining its own fleet, modernizing the traditional taxi service model. The Ola app enables users to book taxis quickly and easily. As of 2014, Ola held a market share of about 60% in India’s ride-hailing sector.

Bhavish’s impact on Ola Cabs’ growth is undeniable. The introduction of Ola Electric bikes marks a significant milestone for the company. In a Bloomberg interview, Bhavish remarked, “Now I can feel that it will be much earlier. Ola Electric has grown and matured faster than I had initially planned because the market response has been very strong.”

Ola Cabs came close to launching a $1 billion IPO in Mumbai in August 2021 but did not proceed. Currently, Ola is valued at $3.5 billion, according to Vanguard reports.

Bhavish Aggarwal’s Family

On a personal note, Bhavish began dating Rajalakshmi in 2007, and the couple eventually married. In 2018, he was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, attending the red carpet event with his wife.

Bhavish Aggarwal’s journey from a corporate researcher to the CEO of a groundbreaking transportation company is a testament to his vision and dedication. As Ola Cabs continues to innovate and expand, Bhavish’s influence remains a driving force behind its success.