Strong team helping OYO operate in multiple geographies: Ritesh Agarwal

We have been able to create strong competencies in renovation, asset management, revenue management, and skilling, says OYO Rooms founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal

SoftBank-funded home-grown budget hospitality start-up OYO Rooms has surprised everyone with a $5-billion valuation in its recent funding round. Ritesh Agarwal, the founder and chief executive officer at the country’s biggest hospitality company, tells Ajay Modi his ambition is to make this five-year-old firm the world’s biggest hotel chain by the number of rooms. He talks about the challenges of operating in multiple geographies, including China, and the evolution of the start-up ecosystem in India. Edited excerpts:

OYO is now valued at $5 billion, the highest for any Indian hospitality player. Does it excite you?

We have never looked at valuation as