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Tag: OYO

  • Shark Tank India season four filming begins

    Shark Tank India season four filming begins

    Mumbai: After three game-changing seasons, Shark Tank India is back with an all-new season. This season is once again set to showcase innovative ideas and deals that could influence the future of start-ups in India.

    The shooting of the first episode has kicked off with a lineup of impressive sharks: People Group, founder and CEO Anupam Mittal; boAt Lifestyle, co-founder and CMO Aman Gupta; Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, executive director Namita Thapar; Lenskart, co-founder and CEO Peyush Bansal; and OYO, founder and group CEO Ritesh Agarwal. As the season unfolds, audiences can look forward to the addition of new sharks to the panel, bringing their dynamic energy and entrepreneurial expertise to the mix.

     

     

    This season promises an exciting twist with the dynamic duo of comedian Ashish Solanki and Sahiba Bali taking the role as hosts, ready to bring their unique flair to the show.

    Since its debut, Shark Tank India has encouraged countless Indians to present their entrepreneurial dreams. This year’s campaign, “Sirf Dream Job Nahi, Apne Dream Idea Ke Peeche Bhaagega India,” will showcase passionate entrepreneurs and dreamers pitching their best to turn their aspirations into reality.

    Stay tuned for updates on Shark Tank India 4, coming soon to Sony LIV.

  • OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal awards Rs 10 lakh grants in ‘7-Day Startup Challenge’

    OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal awards Rs 10 lakh grants in ‘7-Day Startup Challenge’

    Mumbai: OYO, founder and group CEO, Ritesh Agarwal teamed up with global influencer Nuseir Yassin’s platform NAS.io and online learning portal BackToBackSWE to launch the ‘7-Day Startup Challenge’. This program guided early-stage startups through critical steps of business development, with Agarwal awarding five startups an equity-free grant of Rs 10 lakh each.  

    The challenge attracted nearly 3,000 participants from across India, the US, Canada, and the UAE. Hosted on NAS.io, the program was structured around seven daily themes covering essential business aspects, such as goal setting, market research, product roadmap, and branding.  

    The five winners were Bharat Anubhav, an Odisha-based platform for certified tourist guides; Ekogalaxy, a climate education initiative; Harmony Sourcing, a platform connecting global buyers with Indian factories; Farmkrate, an agricultural solutions startup from Andhra Pradesh; and Aura, a mental wellbeing initiative from Bengaluru.  

    Agarwal expressed his excitement, stating, “Over the years, several people have helped me in my entrepreneurial journey. I feel it is only fitting that  I return the favour to the next generation of entrepreneurs by sharing my experience. NAS.io, with its large network of aspiring startups founders, and BackToBackSWE, which offers comprehensive mentorship programs, were ideal partners for such an initiative. This program will hopefully not only equip them with essential business skills but also foster a spirit of innovation and community. India is in the throes of a startup revolution, with young founders solving real-world problems. With the right support, startups can power the next wave of economic growth,” said Agarwal.

    Aura’s co-founder, Roshan Paul remarked, “The simple, step-by-step approach made it easy to refine our idea, and the support we received from the community members was invaluable.  Competing with so many talented participants made this a rewarding experience.”

    Agarwal continues to mentor startups through his role as a judge on Shark Tank India, where he debuted earlier this year. In 2023, he also awarded Rs 5 lakh each to four startups from Ladakh in collaboration with the Naropa Fellowship.

  • Five start-up founders who leveraged tech to disrupt

    Five start-up founders who leveraged tech to disrupt

    Mumbai: Earlier this year, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had highlighted in its report how Indian startups are likely to create 50 million new jobs and add $1 trillion to the economy by 2029-30 (FY30). The technological advancements witnessed in the last decade are proof of this projection, as they continue to help founders disrupt the industry with innovative solutions. From mobility to hospitality and even sectors such as media, gaming and entertainment, technological innovations have helped entrepreneurs claim new heights of success, from very early on.  

    Harnessing cutting-edge technologies, these young entrepreneurs have unlocked new benchmarks of success, building enterprises that deliver immense public value. We look at five such startup founders whose entrepreneurial passion has broken all barriers, and that too, early on in their lives.

    Ritesh Agarwal: Founded OYO Rooms in 2013 at the age of 19

    Ritesh’s extensive travel across India exposed a significant gap in the market—budget hotels that offered both affordability and quality service were hard to come by. This insight led to the creation of OYO in 2013. What began as a solution to a personal problem quickly evolved into one of the world’s largest hotel chains, now over 1.5 million rooms in more than 80 countries.

    By leveraging advanced technology, OYO has made booking affordable and quality accommodations effortless and accessible. Agarwal’s story is an inspiring example of turning a simple, idle observation into a global business. His other key achievements include being the youngest Shark on Shark Tank India Season 3 and getting featured in the Hurun Rich List with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion, among others.

    Dilsher Malhi: Founded Zupee in 2018 at the age of 23

    Dilsher Malhi is the founder and CEO of Zupee, a skill-based gaming company, known for its flagship game Zupee Ludo. For Dilsher, the journey started in 2018, when after graduating with a B. Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, he went on to pursue his passion with entrepreneurship and gaming. His technology-led innovation and gamification approach took him to create Zupee, which has become a leader in gaming innovation in the fiercely competitive online gaming industry. Dilsher and his team reinvented skill-based Ludo in an online avatar to empower users with learning and joy. In the process, Zupee did not only own a category, they actually established the category. Under his leadership, Zupee has 100 mn users associated with them. Featured on Forbes 30 under 30 Asia, 2021, the story of Dilsher goes on to prove that with passion and vision, everything is possible.

    Bhavish Aggarwal: Founded Ola in 2010 at the age of 25

    Bhavish Aggarwal is the co-founder and CEO of Ola, a ride-hailing platform. His journey began in 2010, when, after earning a B. Tech degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay, he decided to transform the transportation industry in India. Bhavish’s vision was to leverage technology to create a convenient and affordable solution to the country’s chaotic commuting challenges. What started as a small operation in Mumbai quickly expanded into a nationwide network, offering services in over 250 cities. Under his leadership, Ola has grown into a diversified mobility platform, branching into electric vehicles, food delivery, and financial services. Bhavish’s relentless pursuit of innovation has not only disrupted the traditional taxi industry but has also made Ola a household name across India

    Pavan Guntupalli (24), Aravind Sanka (25), and SR Rishikesh: Co-founded Rapido in 2015

    Within 9 years of its inception, Rapido undertook technology and business innovation to foray into all three verticals of ride hailing services, including Rapido Bike-taxis, Auto rickshaw, and cabs. Rigged with technology, the app connects commuters with bike taxis for an easy and pocket-friendly way of getting around cities quickly. Services are now available in more than 100 cities. Rapido is expanding its ride offerings in more cities, looking to further strengthen its position as a ride-hailing leader with its zero-commission model.

    Azhar Iqubal: Co-founded Inshorts in 2013 at the age of 22

    Azhar Iqubal is the Co-founder and CEO of Inshorts, a cutting-edge content discovery platform that has revolutionised how news is consumed in the digital age. At 22, Azhar recognised the need for a more efficient way to access information, especially in a world where attention spans are shrinking. Leveraging his technical expertise and an understanding of user behaviour, he co-founded Inshorts in 2013. The platform uses algorithms to curate and summarize news into 60-word snippets, delivering concise and relevant content to millions of users daily. Azhar’s tech-driven approach streamlined news consumption and also set a new standard in the media industry. Under his leadership, Inshorts has become a go-to source for quick, reliable news, proving that innovation in technology can fundamentally make a difference in how information is disseminated and consumed.

  • OYO launches company-serviced hotels with a new campaign

    OYO launches company-serviced hotels with a new campaign

    Mumbai: OYO has announced the launch of its newest campaign film ‘Kya Baat Kar Rahe Ho’, highlighting its extensive network of premium company-serviced hotels across the country. This initiative marks a significant enhancement in OYO’s service offering, introducing an elevated guest experience through innovative features like the quick check-in on the OYO app. To make finding and booking these premium properties easier, OYO has also introduced a new tag on its app, simplify finding and booking the hotel on the app.

    Partnering with the creative agency Moonshot, founded by Tanmay Bhat and Devaiah Bopanna OYO’s campaign aims to transform outdated perceptions and highlight the brand’s commitment to providing premium experiences for families, friends, solo adventures, and every kind of traveler. This advertisement was written by Tanmay Bhat, Devaiah Bopanna, Puneet Chadha and Deep Joshi from Moonshot. It is directed by Rahul Bharti with production handled by Sun City Studios.

    The film opens with a young couple, Sunita and Rishabh, sitting at the dinner table with Sunita’s parents and grandmother. When Sunita announces that they have booked an OYO for the weekend, her parents react with shock, humorously nodding to OYO’s past reputation as a “couples hotel.” As the story unfolds, Rishabh invites the entire family, increasing their surprise. The narrative then shifts to reveal the family standing in a luxurious OYO hotel lobby, where they are amazed by the premium services and elegant surroundings.

    The campaign creatively addresses and dispels outdated views of OYO, emphasizing its new focus on versatility. Whether it’s a family vacation, a weekend getaway with friends, a student studying for an exam, spending ‘me time’, or partying with friends – OYO now offers premium experiences for every type of traveler. Adding shock value through storytelling, the campaign reveals how the old OYO has transformed into a new, premium brand that caters to all.

    OYO founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal stated, “We are excited to reintroduce our new company-serviced hotels. Our goal is to provide a premium, reliable, and enjoyable stay for every type of traveler, and this step highlights our commitment to transforming perceptions and exceeding expectations.”

    Moonshot co-founder Devaiah Bopanna added, “Working on this campaign was a fantastic experience. We wanted to capture the surprise and delight of discovering the new OYO, and I hope we’ve done just that. The new OYO has something for everyone, and I hope this film helps convey that message.”

    These company-serviced properties, run and operated by OYO, are designed to elevate the stay experience. From cozy retreats to luxurious getaways, each property offers premium experiences available at OYO properties, including spick & span linen, seamless check-in, prompt on-call service, delicious breakfasts, and dependable Wi-Fi, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction.

  • OYO swings into cricket season with 6000 free stays and fun ad campaign

    OYO swings into cricket season with 6000 free stays and fun ad campaign

    Mumbai: Cricket season is upon us, and global travel technology company OYO is adding to the excitement with an exclusive offer for fans– 6,000 free stays across its premium properties like SUNDAY Hotels, Palette Hotels, and OYO Townhouses across India.

    OYO’s Free Stays League campaign invites cricket fans to participate in a daily prediction challenge. Participants who correctly predict the winner of each match in the ongoing T20 tournament will be entered into a daily draw. Every day, 100 individuals will be rewarded with a free stay at a premium OYO property of their choice, along with Amazon vouchers worth up to Rs 5,000. Every correct prediction will get OYO Rupee worth Rs 100 that can be used towards their next booking with OYO. The participant with the most accurate predictions throughout the tournament will win the grand prize – an iPhone 15.

    As a part of this campaign, OYO has launched a new ad film which playfully addresses those who might try to leverage personal connections for a free stay. The lighthearted ad features characters boasting about their (fictitious) connections with OYO founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal. In one scene, a character claims their father convinced Ritesh to join the popular TV show Shark Tank as a judge, while another hilariously fabricates a childhood friendship, saying they used to play cricket together as kids. The ad concludes by highlighting that only one’s cricket prediction skills, not their network, will unlock these incredible free stays during the T20 tournament.

    “Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Indians. As the nation celebrates another exciting cricket season, we wanted to offer a little treat to all the cricket enthusiasts out there and share the joy of the game. Our special offer not only adds excitement to the cricket matches but also underscores our commitment to providing unique experiences for our guests.” said OYO founder and group CEO Ritesh Agarwal.

    “Creating something special during one the world’s most watched cricket leagues can be a little tricky as all the brands out there want to capitalize on this and capture the audience’s attention. With Free Stays League, we knew we wanted to take it away from the typical cricket ad and make it about regular people. The insight that people never truly say that they got something for free, but rather brag about getting it in different ways, hit home for us. Following Shark Tank, there has been a huge buzz around Ritesh Agarwal’s name, and we knew we had to leverage this. We are thrilled that team OYO shared our vision and supported us throughout.” said Blank The Agency founder & CEO Nikhil Chaudhary.

    As OYO continues to redefine hospitality experiences in India, this cricket season offer reaffirms company’s dedication to creating memorable moments for its guests.

    To join the contest, download the OYO app, click on the Free Stays tab, and predict the winner of the cricket match.

  • Shark Tank India: iDreamCareer bags Rs 1.10 crore deal from Ritesh Agarwal & Aman Gupta

    Shark Tank India: iDreamCareer bags Rs 1.10 crore deal from Ritesh Agarwal & Aman Gupta

    Mumbai: Shark Tank India Season 3, which debuted on 22 January 2024, remains a riveting watch, showcasing a dynamic array of entrepreneurs and their compelling pitches.

    The latest episode of Shark Tank Season 3 witnessed iDreamCareer founder Ayush Bansal & co-founder Squadron Leader N Praveen Kumar bagged a deal of Rs 1.10 crore from Ritesh Agarwal & Aman Gupta. The founders introduced the sharks about the need for career guidance among students. With the vision to help more young students achieve their career goals, it is the first-ever career counselling platform that took the stage of Shark Tank India 3.

    iDreamCareer is India’s leading career counseling brand that offers comprehensive career & college guidance to students in schools & colleges. It has empowered one million plus students and has partnered with top corporates, private schools, and government institutions to make career guidance accessible for students, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    During their pitch, the sharks were impressed by the social impact created by the company. However, Peyush Bansal (founder of Lenskart) was not convinced by the business model of the company and that the company should look at expanding one of the business models.

    Sharks Aman & Ritesh resonated strongly with the problem that iDreamCareer is solving; to give career & college guidance to young students.

    Later the company got a deal of Rs 1.10 Crore at 60 crore valuation from Aman Gupta (founder of boAt) & Ritesh Agarwal (founder of OYO). The deal comprised Rs 60 lakh equity and the rest of Rs 50 lakh as eight per cent interest debt for two years.

    iDreamCareer’s last funding round was in 2022 where it raised Rs 12.50 Crore from Menterra Social Impact Fund, Gray Matters Capital & Artha Impact.

  • Inshorts co-founder & CEO Azhar Iqubal joins Shark Tank India 3

    Inshorts co-founder & CEO Azhar Iqubal joins Shark Tank India 3

    Mumbai: Building on the tremendous success of the past two seasons, Sony LIV is thrilled to announce the return of India’s beloved entrepreneurial reality show, Shark Tank India, for its highly anticipated third season. Adding to the roster of esteemed Sharks, after entrepreneurs like OYO Rooms founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal and Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal is the remarkable Azhar Iqubal, co-founder and CEO of the groundbreaking news app, Inshorts.

    In addition to these new sharks, the panel will feature sharks from the previous seasons – Aman Gupta (co-founder and CMO of boAt), Amit Jain (CEO and co-founder of CarDekho Group, InsuranceDekho.com), Anupam Mittal (founder and CEO of Shaadi.com – People Group), Namita Thapar (executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Vineeta Singh (co-founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics) and Peyush Bansal (founder and CEO of Lenskart.com).

    With the unparalleled expertise of these Sharks and the charismatic host Rahul Dua guiding the way, Shark Tank India 3 is poised to reach new heights. As budding entrepreneurs from across India prepare to dive into the Tank of dreams, once again, brace yourselves to witness the power of innovation, entrepreneurship, and unparalleled determination like never before.

    Stay tuned for more updates on Shark Tank India 3, streaming soon exclusively on Sony LIV.

  • OYO releases new summer break campaign

    OYO releases new summer break campaign

    Mumbai: OYO has launched its latest summer campaign, ‘Don’t let their summer break, break you!’. The campaign will go live across multiple channels including press ads, OOH, radio, digital films, and OYO’s social media channels.

    Similar to OYO’s recent ‘Assi Reach Gaye’ campaign, this campaign takes cues from consumer insights, highlighting children’s typical summer behavior with the only way out — heading for a summer vacation

    The campaign is carried out based on OYO’s internal consumer study. As per OYO’s study, 82 percent of parents said they have a difficult time juggling work and keeping children occupied during summer breaks. Further, the study highlights that over 65 per cent of Indians shared intent to plan vacations with their kids this summer, after two consecutive years of lockdowns during summer breaks. In such a situation, taking a summer vacation is a win-win for both – parents and the kids.

    This consumer insight also became the genesis for OYO’s latest summer campaign – Don’t let their summer break, ‘break you’ which highlights every parents’ dilemma — prioritising work while keeping kids entertained. The campaign brings to life children’s yearning for a summer break through quirky animated characters. The campaign is set to go live across multiple channels such as print ads, outdoor hoardings, radio channels, digital ads, CRM and OYO owned social media channels. Over the month, the campaign will go live across various cities such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

    OYO SVP & head of global brand Mayur Hola said, “Kids have been stuck at home for the majority of the past two years. Summer vacations are all about playtime for kids. Not so much for parents though. They’re on edge, juggling between zoom calls and impatient children who are dying to head out. That’s why our latest campaign shares a friendly reminder with parents; take a trip as much for yourselves, as for the kids. From Assi Reach Gaye to now, our effort has been to widen the pool of people who consider an OYO, when looking to take a break right next door or in a land far far away. And it’s leading to some super cute output.”

  • Oyo launches new campaign capturing pulse of today’s travellers

    Oyo launches new campaign capturing pulse of today’s travellers

    Mumbai: Hotel booking platform Oyo has launched a multi-film brand campaign that will be visible across television, social media, OTT platforms, etc through January and February. The brand film features Bollywood actors such as Gul Panag, Kalki Koechlin, Chitrangada Singh and Kunal Kapoor, who bring to life the many day-to-day stories of travellers.

    “Over the pandemic years, travelers not just in India but across the world have adapted and evolved their travel habits and preferences. Travellers now place higher trust and confidence in brands that provide flexibility and personalization. With this insight at the heart of its brand campaign, Oyo aims to spread awareness about the key features on the Oyo app,” said the brand in a statement.

    The first film highlights the benefits of the ‘Nearby’ feature. Oyo’s deep presence across India, and in 35 countries around the world, allows users to book accommodation on the go with an easy tap on the ‘Nearby’ icon. The second film is based on the ever-increasing need for flexibility when one travels. The film, therefore, highlights Oyo’s easy cancellation and refund feature, allowing users to modify bookings before their stay. The third film promotes the ‘Search the View’ feature, which lets users discover stays according to any search keywords including the view, be it by the beach, the hills, near the market, close to the airport, or even a golf course view.

    The concept of the brand campaign and script of the films have been developed and written by Oyo’s global in-house brand team and it is directed by Vishvesh Krishnamoorthy from Corcoise Films.

    “Oyo truly believes that progress is for everyone. No matter who you are, where you’re from or where you’re headed, we’re all looking to evolve in our lives. That’s the spirit Oyo embodies and supports,” commented Oyo head of global brand Mayur Hola. “At the core of it all is a simple to use app that is backed by some serious tech. An app that enables you to find an Oyo right next door, wherever you may be. That helps you keep your plans and life flexible, as we all must today.”

    Commenting on her role in the films, Gul Panag said, “I love traveling and the spontaneity that comes along with it. I was super stoked to learn that travellers have an option to discover stays wherever and whenever they wanted to, on their terms. When OYO came to me with the concept of the ‘Nearby’ feature and the script, it was an easy YES. Because it’s so relatable.”

    Oyo launched the brand campaign during the India vs South Africa ODI matches on TV. The brand campaign will be seen in multiple channels across GEC, news, infotainment and the kids genre, said the statement. “The company will also release the first film across its owned digital and social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn. It will also feature the campaign on the Oyo app, co-Oyo app (for patrons) and across all its in-house digital communication mediums with customers, patrons and OYOpreneurs,” it further said.

  • Otipy appoints Pranit Arora as SVP – growth and marketing

    Otipy appoints Pranit Arora as SVP – growth and marketing

    Mumbai: Online food business company Otipy on Wednesday announced the appointment of Pranit Arora as senior vice president – growth and marketing.

    In his new role, Arora will be responsible for rapidly growing the network of community leaders, consumers and strengthening Otipy’s growth/marketing playbook which will be implemented across multiple geographies within the country, said the company in a statement.

    Arora has close to a decade of experience in leadership roles across growth and marketing with companies like Reckitt Benckiser, OYO, and GoMechanic.

    Otipy’s founder & CEO Varun Khurana said, “We are in a rapid scale-up phase and plan to double up our community leader base within this year. With Pranit’s rich leadership experience both in startups as well as MNCs we believe he is perfectly suited for driving this goal.”

    On his new role, Arora said, “Otipy is smartly leveraging the community group buying model and building a unique ecosystem of community leaders who are delivering farm-fresh produce and daily essentials at the doorstep of consumers. This creates a new distribution ecosystem that has disruptive potential, especially for the fresh produce category. I am excited about working on this massive opportunity.”