Ritesh Agarwal, the visionary founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, stands as a symbol of entrepreneurial grit and innovation. At just 31 years old as of April 10, 2025, he has transformed the global hospitality landscape, turning a simple idea into a billion-dollar empire.
Known for his appearance on Shark Tank India Season 3 and his relentless pursuit of affordable accommodations, Agarwal’s net worth is a testament to his remarkable journey from a small-town dreamer to one of India’s youngest billionaires. Let’s dive into the details of Ritesh Agarwal’s net worth, his path to success, and the legacy he’s building.
Early Beginnings and the Birth of OYO
Born on November 16, 1993, in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha, Ritesh grew up in a modest Marwari family in Titilagarh, where his parents ran a small shop. His entrepreneurial spark ignited early—by age 13, he was selling SIM cards to make pocket money. After finishing school at Sacred Heart School and St. John’s Senior Secondary School, he briefly moved to Delhi for college but dropped out to chase his dreams. That decision proved pivotal.
In 2012, at 19, Ritesh launched Oravel Stays, a budget accommodation aggregator inspired by Airbnb. A year later, after winning a $100,000 Thiel Fellowship grant, he rebranded it as OYO Rooms. His vision? To standardize budget hotels across India, offering travelers reliable, affordable stays with consistent quality. That simple yet revolutionary idea laid the foundation for his meteoric rise.
Ritesh Agarwal’s Net Worth in 2025
As of April 10, 2025, Ritesh Agarwal’s net worth is widely estimated at ₹16,000 crore (approximately $2 billion USD), though figures vary depending on the source. The 2024 Hurun India Rich List pegged his wealth at ₹1,900 crore ($225 million), ranking him among the top 10 youngest Indian billionaires at age 30. However, more comprehensive estimates, factoring in his stake in OYO and personal investments, place his fortune closer to the $2 billion mark.
OYO itself is valued at over $10 billion, making it one of India’s most valuable startups. Ritesh holds a significant stake in the company, reportedly boosted in 2019 when he invested $2 billion to triple his ownership—a rare move for a founder buying back shares pre-IPO. His wealth isn’t just tied to OYO’s valuation; it’s also fueled by his strategic investments in startups like Unacademy, Cars24, and Zingbus, showcasing his knack for spotting early-stage opportunities.
The OYO Empire: A Global Powerhouse
Under Ritesh’s leadership, OYO has grown from a single hotel in Gurgaon to a global network spanning thousands of properties across India, the U.S., China, the UK, and beyond. By 2018, it raised $1 billion in funding, achieving unicorn status, with backers like SoftBank, Sequoia Capital, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Today, OYO is India’s largest hotel chain by room count and ranks as the world’s third-largest accommodation provider.
The company’s success stems from its tech-driven model: partnering with budget hotels, standardizing amenities, and offering seamless bookings via its app. Despite setbacks—like a valuation dip to $3 billion in 2020 due to the pandemic—OYO rebounded, reporting its first net profit of ₹132 crore in Q1 FY25 and projecting a threefold profit rise to ₹700 crore for FY25. This resilience has bolstered Ritesh’s financial standing.
Beyond OYO: Investments and Lifestyle
Ritesh Agarwal’s wealth isn’t static—he’s an active investor. His portfolio spans 27 funding rounds across sectors like consumer tech and enterprise applications, with notable bets on Yes Madam and Agrowave, where his family office recently injected $2 million. His compensation as OYO’s CEO also reflects his success, jumping 250% from ₹1.6 crore in FY21 to ₹5.6 crore in FY22, though most of his fortune comes from equity, not salary.
His lifestyle mirrors his achievements. Ritesh owns a fleet of luxury cars—think Mercedes-Benz S-Class (₹1.4 crore), Range Rover Sports (₹1 crore), and a private jet worth $20 million. Yet, he remains grounded, often sharing his love for dogs and simple joys like Odisha’s chhena poda on social media. Married to Geetansha Sood since 2023, with whom he has two children, Aryan and an unnamed second child, Ritesh balances family life with his relentless ambition.
Challenges and Triumphs
Ritesh’s journey hasn’t been without turbulence. OYO faced criticism over hotel owner disputes, regulatory fines in the U.S., and a $510 million loss in 2021 amid the pandemic. Personal tragedy struck too—his father’s death in 2023 shortly after his wedding. Yet, Ritesh’s resilience shines through. He’s navigated OYO through crises, regained investor trust, and expanded into markets like the U.S., aiming to add 250 hotels in 2024 alone.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Ritesh Agarwal’s net worth—whether ₹16,000 crore or closer to $2 billion—pales in comparison to his impact. At 31, he’s not just a billionaire but a mentor on Shark Tank India, a philanthropist via the Ritesh Agarwal Foundation, and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs. His story—from selling SIM cards to building a global brand—proves that wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about vision, hustle, and the courage to dream big.
As OYO eyes further growth and a potential IPO, Ritesh’s fortune is poised to climb. But for now, his net worth reflects a truth he shared on Shark Tank: “Every overnight success is at least a 10-year-old story.” And his story, as of April 10, 2025, is far from over.