The popular business reality show, Shark Tank India, is gearing up for its next season, promising fresh faces on the judging panel alongside returning veterans. Among the familiar sharks confirmed for the new season is Ritesh Agarwal, the founder and CEO of the hospitality giant OYO. This will mark his third consecutive year on the show, where he evaluates pitches from aspiring Indian entrepreneurs.
From Teenage Dream to First Investment: Ritesh's Rocky Start
In a recent candid conversation, Agarwal revisited his own entrepreneurial beginnings, which started remarkably early. He shared that he attempted his first fundraising event at the age of 17, straight out of high school. The journey was far from easy, as his youth worked against him. "People did not take me seriously at first," he recalled, noting that while they saw his passion, they doubted his ability to execute his vision.
He described sending countless cold emails that went unanswered, a common struggle for many young founders. His persistence, however, eventually paid off. In 2015, he secured his first official investment, but the process took an unexpected turn when the investors insisted on meeting his parents.
The Unusual Condition: "Don't Send Him to College"
The meeting with the investors took a surprising twist. While they were impressed with the young Agarwal's pitch and called him a "bright" individual, they attached a highly unconventional condition to their investment. The investors directly advised his father not to send Ritesh to college, fearing it would jeopardize their money.
Agarwal narrated the incident, quoting the investors' words to his father: "If they send you to college, then... they wanted my parents to commit that they won't send me to college, warna unke paise doob jaaenge (else they would lose their money)." This stark ultimatum highlighted the investors' belief that his full, undivided focus on the budding business was crucial for its success.
A Lasting Regret and the Path to OYO
Despite the success that followed, Ritesh Agarwal has openly expressed regret about missing the college experience. In a 2023 reflection, he emphasized the unique value of college life in preparing one for the real world. He acknowledged that while the Thiel fellowship became his "big adventure" and led to the genesis of OYO, the traditional campus journey remains an unmatched chapter in life.
His story underscores the complex trade-offs often faced in the high-stakes world of startups. As he returns to the Shark Tank India panel, his own journey from a struggling 17-year-old to a celebrated CEO adds profound depth to his role as a judge, as he now evaluates the next generation of Indian dreamers with a unique perspective on sacrifice and ambition.
