Quotes from Ritesh Agarwal

When I go to colleges for talks, I encourage the students to drop out.

Every weekend I would take a train to Delhi and sneak into startup events. I really enjoyed meeting entrepreneurs who were solving big problems. They were way smarter than me. I knew this is where I had to be.

To deliver predictability, we have partnered with Biotique for in-room toiletries, Airtel for Wi-Fi and DTH, and small laundromats in cities to provide clean linen in our rooms.

We are building OYO to be the preferred hospitality brand for consumers in the new post-COVID reality.

I went for two days to the Delhi Campus of the University of London and did not go back again.

Leaders at Oyo aspire for ambitious targets which act as directional north stars for building for scale.

To provide affordability, we have made a few acqui-hires such as a data analytics firm to help us deliver the cheapest room prices in every town.

I started my life on the ground selling sim card, telecom products and so on and learned a heck of a lot doing that.

I can speak Odiya, Telugu, apart from Hindi and a little bit of Rajasthani, so, truly Indian from that context.

I started taking programming lessons at the age of 10.

A lot of hotels have beautiful chandeliers because the asset owner is emotional about having chandeliers in the property. I always say that the customers aren't going to have chandeliers for breakfast. You'd rather take that money and give great breakfasts to the customer.

One big learning from Thiel fellowship was think really big and create an impact, without thinking if anybody has done it before.

I grew up in Rayagada in Orissa state in eastern India. Few people have even heard of it.

It is very important to find a calling and pursue it.

I don't dissuade people from formal education. What I encourage them to do is to follow their dreams.

One should accept failure, and be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn again.

Capital is always available for good companies, but the only question is value at which you raise capital. In bad times, you raise capital at low valuation, and in good times, you get a fair price. It separates winners from the rest.

As an entrepreneur and on behalf of the company's management, I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the company's mission of building the world's most loved hospitality brand that is focused on bringing a better lifestyle for the common man.

My father ran a grocery store.

Geopolitical impact is going to become one of the big risks for companies which are global.

We use innovative technology to facilitate standardization of services, amenities and in-room experience, thereby helping maintain service standards.

That's our thesis, to operate in a few places and make them home, rather than operate in many places and not have significant ownership.

Masayoshi Son is one of the most innovative and impactful thinkers and problem-solvers of our generation.

Our focus area would be recruiting people along with building great technology as well as building a great brand.