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Jul 24
17m 29s

Business Daily meets: OYO CEO Ritesh Aga...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

The Indian billionaire speaks to Rahul Tandon about his journey from selling sim cards in a small Indian town to founding OYO, a global hospitality chain, at just 19.

A fellowship from US entrepreneur Peter Thiel gave Ritesh Agarwal $100,000 to pursue his start-up dreams. Despite rapid growth, OYO later faced serious challenges to its business. Now 31, the entrepreneur reflects on how he brought the company back from the brink.

If you'd like to contact the show, send an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Amber Mehmood

(Photo: Ritesh Agarwal, founder and chief executive officer of OYO Hotels and Homes, during the Mumbai Tech Week in Mumbai, India, in March 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

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