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Bhavish Aggarwal: How Ola Changed the Way Bengaluru Gets Around

A Microsoft researcher who co-founded a cab aggregator in 2010, made booking an auto from a phone normal, and then moved into electric scooters. Ola is run from Bengaluru.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Bhavish Aggarwal co-founded Ola with Ankit Bhati in 2010, and the ride-hailing company is headquartered in Bengaluru.
  • He studied at IIT Bombay and worked at Microsoft Research India in Bengaluru before Ola.
  • He founded Ola Electric, the electric scooter maker that listed in August 2024, and is its chief executive.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam September 23, 2026 • 2 min read • Updated October 17, 2026
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A hand holds a phone showing a cab booking map beside a white taxi and a green and yellow auto rickshaw on a city street at dusk

Ola is headquartered in Bengaluru.

“Before Ola, getting a cab in Bengaluru meant a phone call and a prayer.”

• On what ride-hailing changed

Bhavish Aggarwal is the co-founder of Ola, the ride-hailing company he started with Ankit Bhati in 2010, which grew into one of India's largest mobility platforms with its headquarters in Bengaluru. An IIT Bombay graduate who worked at Microsoft Research India in Bengaluru, he later founded Ola Electric, which makes electric scooters and listed on Indian stock exchanges in 2024.

Ola changed how Bangaloreans travel, putting cabs and autos on a phone screen. This profile keeps to the well-documented record.

Quick Information

A researcher who got fed up with a bad cab journey and built a company to fix it. Bengaluru now argues about surge pricing instead.

Born
1985, Ludhiana
Education
Computer science, IIT Bombay
Before Ola
Microsoft Research India, Bengaluru
Ola founded
2010, with Ankit Bhati
Company
ANI Technologies, headquartered in Bengaluru
Services
Cabs, autos and bikes via app
Ola Electric
Electric scooter maker, listed in 2024; Aggarwal is its CEO
One memorable fact
Ola brought auto rickshaws onto app booking in Bengaluru

How Did Ola Start?

Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati launched Ola in 2010 as an app to book cabs from existing taxi operators. It grew quickly, added autos and bike taxis, and competed directly with Uber after its arrival in India.

  • Cabs. The original service, with several categories.
  • Autos. App-booked autos, a major change for Bengaluru commuters.
  • Scale. Operations across hundreds of Indian cities.

What Is Ola Electric?

Ola Electric is the electric vehicle company Aggarwal founded, best known for its electric scooters. It built a large manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu and listed on the stock exchanges in August 2024. Aggarwal is its chief executive. Its shares later traded well below their listing price, and in September 2026 its board approved a rights issue of up to Rs 1,000 crore.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

Aggarwal has said the idea for Ola came after a bad experience with a hired car on a trip, which convinced him customers needed a more reliable way to book.

Why Does Bhavish Aggarwal Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

Ola is headquartered in Bengaluru and reshaped how the city moves. For many Bangaloreans, it was the first app they used to get home.

FAQs

Who founded Ola?

Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati founded Ola in 2010.

Where is Ola headquartered?

Ola is headquartered in Bengaluru.

What is Ola Electric?

Ola Electric is an electric scooter and vehicle company founded by Bhavish Aggarwal. It listed on Indian stock exchanges in 2024.

Where did Bhavish Aggarwal study?

He studied computer science at IIT Bombay.

Ola Stories?

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Same city, new stories, always.

Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

campaign Have a Story Worth Sharing?

Know a remarkable business, inspiring individual, hidden café, school, neighbourhood, NGO, or local hero that deserves the spotlight? I'd love to hear from you.

Same City. New Stories. Always.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7, with the Bengaluru skyline
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