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Ritesh Agarwal

@riteshagar • 522,864 subscribers

Founder and Group CEO, PRISM

Shorts

A lot of people tell me I look serious on TV and don’t talk much. Truth is, I’m just busy listening and observing everything closely. I’m actually very curious… That’s how I learn and enjoy the process. Serious face, but I do love a good chuckle.

A lot of people tell me I look serious on TV and don’t talk much. Truth is, I’m just busy listening and observing everything closely. I’m actually very curious… That’s how I learn and enjoy the process. Serious face, but I do love a good chuckle.

15,891 просмотров

Entrepreneurship is a luxury. When I dropped out of college and asked my parents for that one chance, I genuinely felt this might be the only opportunity I would ever get to do something meaningful. If I wasted it, I couldn’t blame anyone else. That mindset changes how you work. You stop treating it like an experiment. You treat it like responsibility. In India, we don’t just need more startups. We need founders who understand the privilege of building. If you get the chance, approach it like it’s once in a lifetime.

Entrepreneurship is a luxury. When I dropped out of college and asked my parents for that one chance, I genuinely felt this might be the only opportunity I would ever get to do something meaningful. If I wasted it, I couldn’t blame anyone else. That mindset changes how you work. You stop treating it like an experiment. You treat it like responsibility. In India, we don’t just need more startups. We need founders who understand the privilege of building. If you get the chance, approach it like it’s once in a lifetime.

11,866 просмотров

For aspiring entrepreneurs out there who are scared of rejection - take pride in whatever you build. Don't fret about being rejected. All entrepreneurs get rejected at a point in their journey. The ones who take it in their stride succeed in the long run.

For aspiring entrepreneurs out there who are scared of rejection - take pride in whatever you build. Don't fret about being rejected. All entrepreneurs get rejected at a point in their journey. The ones who take it in their stride succeed in the long run.

37,792 просмотров

When life throws punches, remember: Jaggu Dada never ducks, he dances! The hustle never stops, and neither should you. Stay sharp, stay humble, and keep moving forward like the warrior you are! Ft. Jackie Shroff

When life throws punches, remember: Jaggu Dada never ducks, he dances! The hustle never stops, and neither should you. Stay sharp, stay humble, and keep moving forward like the warrior you are! Ft. Jackie Shroff

13,320 просмотров

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Ten years ago, building and launching a private orbital rocket from India may have felt almost impossible. Orbital launch was the domain of governments alone, until Elon Musk and SpaceX proved a private company could get there too. Today, a young Indian team has done it successfully on its first attempt, and India now joins that rare club. I enjoyed speaking with Pawan about the years of work behind Vikram-1, the fear of failure before the launch, and the support Skyroot received from the government, IN-SPACe, and the wider ecosystem. What excites me most is what this signals to the world: India can build high-precision, highly reliable, deep-technology products for global customers. Neil Armstrong once described a single step as a giant leap for mankind. For India's private space journey, this is exactly that kind of leap. A historic beginning for Skyroot and an important moment for every Indian entrepreneur building for the world.

Ten years ago, building and launching a private orbital rocket from India may have felt almost impossible. Orbital launch was the domain of governments alone, until Elon Musk and SpaceX proved a private company could get there too. Today, a young Indian team has done it successfully on its first attempt, and India now joins that rare club. I enjoyed speaking with Pawan about the years of work behind Vikram-1, the fear of failure before the launch, and the support Skyroot received from the government, IN-SPACe, and the wider ecosystem. What excites me most is what this signals to the world: India can build high-precision, highly reliable, deep-technology products for global customers. Neil Armstrong once described a single step as a giant leap for mankind. For India's private space journey, this is exactly that kind of leap. A historic beginning for Skyroot and an important moment for every Indian entrepreneur building for the world.

49,197 просмотров • 1 месяц назад

Education can open many doors. Sometimes, so can an unconventional opportunity. The Thiel Fellowship was one of those moments for me. $100,000 to pursue an idea, a move to the Bay Area, and exposure to a world I had only seen from a distance before. I would never say everyone should leave university to build a company. But when you deeply believe in what you're building, there are moments when taking a calculated leap of faith can change the direction of your life. That fellowship was one such moment in mine.

Education can open many doors. Sometimes, so can an unconventional opportunity. The Thiel Fellowship was one of those moments for me. $100,000 to pursue an idea, a move to the Bay Area, and exposure to a world I had only seen from a distance before. I would never say everyone should leave university to build a company. But when you deeply believe in what you're building, there are moments when taking a calculated leap of faith can change the direction of your life. That fellowship was one such moment in mine.

16,399 просмотров • 16 дней назад

People often ask why our Prime Minister is the true Startup PM. For me, the answer goes back to January 2016. At the Startup India launch, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji quipped, “Why didn’t a chaiwala think of starting a hotel chain?” That single line was not just a remark, it was a mindset shift. It told millions of young Indians that ideas matter more than background. Over the next decade, that belief was backed by action. Startup India simplified regulations, enabled access to capital, and created confidence across the ecosystem. Someone in the USA joined a startup. Someone in Asia invested. Someone else chose to guide founders as a board member. It did not matter whether it was ours or hundreds of others. Those hundreds became lakhs of startups and millions of jobs. Within this ecosystem, PRISM grew into a global hospitality network across 35 plus countries. For me, coming from a small town in Odisha with nothing but a big dream, this journey has truly come full circle. Now in 2026, I feel the same wonder and responsibility I felt in 2016. The Prime Minister’s ability to remember people and stories, like recalling Suchi from Limeroad years later, is a reminder of genuine engagement. As we mark 10 years of Startup India, this is not just PRISM’s success. It is India’s. And the journey has only just begun. MyGovIndia Startup India

People often ask why our Prime Minister is the true Startup PM. For me, the answer goes back to January 2016. At the Startup India launch, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji quipped, “Why didn’t a chaiwala think of starting a hotel chain?” That single line was not just a remark, it was a mindset shift. It told millions of young Indians that ideas matter more than background. Over the next decade, that belief was backed by action. Startup India simplified regulations, enabled access to capital, and created confidence across the ecosystem. Someone in the USA joined a startup. Someone in Asia invested. Someone else chose to guide founders as a board member. It did not matter whether it was ours or hundreds of others. Those hundreds became lakhs of startups and millions of jobs. Within this ecosystem, PRISM grew into a global hospitality network across 35 plus countries. For me, coming from a small town in Odisha with nothing but a big dream, this journey has truly come full circle. Now in 2026, I feel the same wonder and responsibility I felt in 2016. The Prime Minister’s ability to remember people and stories, like recalling Suchi from Limeroad years later, is a reminder of genuine engagement. As we mark 10 years of Startup India, this is not just PRISM’s success. It is India’s. And the journey has only just begun. MyGovIndia Startup India

150,197 просмотров • 7 месяцев назад

I have often walked into rooms where I was made to feel that I did not quite belong. Perhaps that is why The Outsider resonated with me. Vir Das is an Emmy-winning comedian who has built a global career by embracing a voice that is unmistakably his own. He writes about turning that feeling of being a misfit into an advantage. Regardless of whether you agree with all his views, there is something powerful in the journey of someone who found his own place in the world without waiting for permission. A deeply personal and interesting read.

I have often walked into rooms where I was made to feel that I did not quite belong. Perhaps that is why The Outsider resonated with me. Vir Das is an Emmy-winning comedian who has built a global career by embracing a voice that is unmistakably his own. He writes about turning that feeling of being a misfit into an advantage. Regardless of whether you agree with all his views, there is something powerful in the journey of someone who found his own place in the world without waiting for permission. A deeply personal and interesting read.

18,435 просмотров • 20 дней назад

Standing at Mahakumbh with Ary for the first time, I was overwhelmed by a flood of memories from my own first visit. I remember feeling so small, yet part of something so much bigger. Today, I stood beside him, hoping he finds his own answers, his own faith, and his own path. This isn’t just a tradition; it’s a legacy. A legacy of belief, hope, and the courage to dream. #mahakumbh

Standing at Mahakumbh with Ary for the first time, I was overwhelmed by a flood of memories from my own first visit. I remember feeling so small, yet part of something so much bigger. Today, I stood beside him, hoping he finds his own answers, his own faith, and his own path. This isn’t just a tradition; it’s a legacy. A legacy of belief, hope, and the courage to dream. #mahakumbh

305,412 просмотров • 1 год назад

I often call it the Indian dream. A young person from a small town, with no special access or resources, gets an opportunity and goes on to build a global business. Perhaps that is why so many young Indians relate to my journey. They do not just see where I am today. They see where I started and recognise a little bit of themselves in that story. Knowing that this gives someone the courage to start is one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

I often call it the Indian dream. A young person from a small town, with no special access or resources, gets an opportunity and goes on to build a global business. Perhaps that is why so many young Indians relate to my journey. They do not just see where I am today. They see where I started and recognise a little bit of themselves in that story. Knowing that this gives someone the courage to start is one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

17,251 просмотров • 24 дней назад

It is no coincidence that we are seeing more and more people consistently sharing their travel stories. Travel is becoming a bigger part of how people spend their time, create memories, and experience the world. From weekend getaways to international holidays, the desire to explore is only growing. And honestly, there is very little to suggest that this trend will slow down. Tourism is going to become a much bigger and more important industry globally. The real question is whether we are preparing fast enough, with the right talent, hotels, infrastructure, and policies to support that growth.

It is no coincidence that we are seeing more and more people consistently sharing their travel stories. Travel is becoming a bigger part of how people spend their time, create memories, and experience the world. From weekend getaways to international holidays, the desire to explore is only growing. And honestly, there is very little to suggest that this trend will slow down. Tourism is going to become a much bigger and more important industry globally. The real question is whether we are preparing fast enough, with the right talent, hotels, infrastructure, and policies to support that growth.

17,608 просмотров • 26 дней назад

We often recommend books because we agree with them. I am recommending this one despite disagreeing with its central thesis. The Richest Man in Babylon offers a philosophy of wealth that has worked remarkably well for many people. My own journey has been shaped by a very different approach: investing heavily in the things I want to build. Both perspectives deserve to be heard. Strong opinions are not formed by avoiding opposing ideas, but by engaging with them thoughtfully.

We often recommend books because we agree with them. I am recommending this one despite disagreeing with its central thesis. The Richest Man in Babylon offers a philosophy of wealth that has worked remarkably well for many people. My own journey has been shaped by a very different approach: investing heavily in the things I want to build. Both perspectives deserve to be heard. Strong opinions are not formed by avoiding opposing ideas, but by engaging with them thoughtfully.

13,430 просмотров • 22 дней назад

We spend a lot of time celebrating the mechanics of building a company. The funding. The growth. The wins. We spend far less time on the people we build them with. "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" sits with that quieter truth. At its heart is a relationship that resists a single label, shaped over years by friendship, creativity, competition, and the strange intimacy of making something together. It reminded me that the people we create with often become as important to the journey as the thing we are creating. Sometimes more. What's a book that changed how you think about the work you do?

We spend a lot of time celebrating the mechanics of building a company. The funding. The growth. The wins. We spend far less time on the people we build them with. "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" sits with that quieter truth. At its heart is a relationship that resists a single label, shaped over years by friendship, creativity, competition, and the strange intimacy of making something together. It reminded me that the people we create with often become as important to the journey as the thing we are creating. Sometimes more. What's a book that changed how you think about the work you do?

12,271 просмотров • 29 дней назад

Dreaming doesn't cost you anything - its free! It's the goals that require your investment and hard-work. So when you dream big, you have to work harder to make it a reality.

Dreaming doesn't cost you anything - its free! It's the goals that require your investment and hard-work. So when you dream big, you have to work harder to make it a reality.

217,288 просмотров • 3 лет назад

Had the opportunity to be among the Indian founders hosted by Elon Musk led by India Global Forum . Elon is by far doing the most to evolve human kind or as Peter Thiel says has us closest to getting flying cars. Some comments from Elon - A. India evokes the emotion of Ancient and 'Great' Civilization B. Opportunity of USA and India : Trending positive, but excited for so much more C. Still feels we are living in a simulation because cannot believe what has happened in last few months D. Pursuit of interplanetary living super critical to him ... I can go on but I will also share Some other interesting thoughts I took away - A. Only the second time ever that the chopsticks caught the booster catch, BTW, they gifted SpaceX chopsticks at the end. B. He is fascinated about Kumbh mela C. We were served a veg only dinner, one of the most incredible veg spread at SpaceX. As a vegetarian, loved up. D. How the ability to work with the government can justice to prevail is very close to his heart Activate to view larger image,

Had the opportunity to be among the Indian founders hosted by Elon Musk led by India Global Forum . Elon is by far doing the most to evolve human kind or as Peter Thiel says has us closest to getting flying cars. Some comments from Elon - A. India evokes the emotion of Ancient and 'Great' Civilization B. Opportunity of USA and India : Trending positive, but excited for so much more C. Still feels we are living in a simulation because cannot believe what has happened in last few months D. Pursuit of interplanetary living super critical to him ... I can go on but I will also share Some other interesting thoughts I took away - A. Only the second time ever that the chopsticks caught the booster catch, BTW, they gifted SpaceX chopsticks at the end. B. He is fascinated about Kumbh mela C. We were served a veg only dinner, one of the most incredible veg spread at SpaceX. As a vegetarian, loved up. D. How the ability to work with the government can justice to prevail is very close to his heart Activate to view larger image,

87,507 просмотров • 1 год назад

Did we have you in the first half? 👀 OYO Tanmay Bhat

Did we have you in the first half? 👀 OYO Tanmay Bhat

108,232 просмотров • 2 лет назад

Namaste from Nice, France. You can sense it in my tone how exciting it is to see Indian innovation on a global stage. What has stood out to me at @BharatInnov2026 has been the range of Indian founders working across deep-tech, space-tech, defence, AI, and other areas that can shape the future. Many of these companies may look small today, but the problems they are solving can have a significant global impact. And the moment carries real weight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron came together to launch this platform as part of the India-France Year of Innovation, with PM Narendra Modi in France around the G7. When two leaders stand on the same stage for young founders, it tells you something. Our countries have just elevated their ties to a special global strategic partnership, and markets tend to follow where leadership leads. For Indian startups, platforms like this create access to global partners, investors, and markets. More importantly, they show that India is not only consuming innovation, but exporting it. Make in India, but for the world.

Namaste from Nice, France. You can sense it in my tone how exciting it is to see Indian innovation on a global stage. What has stood out to me at @BharatInnov2026 has been the range of Indian founders working across deep-tech, space-tech, defence, AI, and other areas that can shape the future. Many of these companies may look small today, but the problems they are solving can have a significant global impact. And the moment carries real weight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron came together to launch this platform as part of the India-France Year of Innovation, with PM Narendra Modi in France around the G7. When two leaders stand on the same stage for young founders, it tells you something. Our countries have just elevated their ties to a special global strategic partnership, and markets tend to follow where leadership leads. For Indian startups, platforms like this create access to global partners, investors, and markets. More importantly, they show that India is not only consuming innovation, but exporting it. Make in India, but for the world.

17,304 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад

What were you doing when you were 13? Jaiwardhan was already pitching on Shark Tank. An AI healthcare startup. Self-built. Self-driven. At an age when most of us were still figuring out what we liked - he was figuring out what he wanted to change in the world. We backed him through our founder fellowship. Not just with capital but with belief, access, and mentorship. Because I remember what that one push did for me. Jay’s journey is just beginning but the kind of beginning that tells you everything about where it’s headed. And I’m grateful to be a small part of it! Shark Tank India sonytv Sony LIV

What were you doing when you were 13? Jaiwardhan was already pitching on Shark Tank. An AI healthcare startup. Self-built. Self-driven. At an age when most of us were still figuring out what we liked - he was figuring out what he wanted to change in the world. We backed him through our founder fellowship. Not just with capital but with belief, access, and mentorship. Because I remember what that one push did for me. Jay’s journey is just beginning but the kind of beginning that tells you everything about where it’s headed. And I’m grateful to be a small part of it! Shark Tank India sonytv Sony LIV

37,488 просмотров • 7 месяцев назад

You spoke, and we listened. Following feedback from our shareholders, PRISM will soon introduce a new, simplified bonus structure that includes all shareholders, both equity and preference regardless of holding size. We will not proceed with the current resolution and will instead bring forward a fresh, unified proposal for shareholder approval. The revised structure, to be announced in the coming days, will ensure equal participation, full transparency, and automatic inclusion, no application required.

You spoke, and we listened. Following feedback from our shareholders, PRISM will soon introduce a new, simplified bonus structure that includes all shareholders, both equity and preference regardless of holding size. We will not proceed with the current resolution and will instead bring forward a fresh, unified proposal for shareholder approval. The revised structure, to be announced in the coming days, will ensure equal participation, full transparency, and automatic inclusion, no application required.

45,505 просмотров • 10 месяцев назад

I have spoken to a lot of first-time property owners and almost all of them make the same mistake. They hand over the management too early. They think that is what smart owners do. But what they are actually doing is giving away control before they even understand what they are giving away. You cannot manage a manager if you do not know what good management looks like. Learn it first. Then delegate.

I have spoken to a lot of first-time property owners and almost all of them make the same mistake. They hand over the management too early. They think that is what smart owners do. But what they are actually doing is giving away control before they even understand what they are giving away. You cannot manage a manager if you do not know what good management looks like. Learn it first. Then delegate.

21,537 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад

I never looked at business as a way to simply save every cent or chase wealth. For me, it has always been about belief. When I started OYO, now part of PRISM, I kept putting whatever resources I had back into the company because I believed in what we were building. That same mindset has stayed with me, whether it is building PRISM, investing in startups on Shark Tank, or backing ideas in technology and innovation. Wealth is an outcome. Belief is what keeps you building.

I never looked at business as a way to simply save every cent or chase wealth. For me, it has always been about belief. When I started OYO, now part of PRISM, I kept putting whatever resources I had back into the company because I believed in what we were building. That same mindset has stayed with me, whether it is building PRISM, investing in startups on Shark Tank, or backing ideas in technology and innovation. Wealth is an outcome. Belief is what keeps you building.

10,483 просмотров • 1 месяц назад

I came for Seahawks PR vs New England Patriots , stayed for the Bad Bunny halftime fiesta. These NFL guys don’t just run, they launch. I’m over here comparing it to cricket like a confused math student. Then Bad Bunny shows up with Spanish hits, and the whole stadium dances. Next IPL season better come with reggaeton too!

I came for Seahawks PR vs New England Patriots , stayed for the Bad Bunny halftime fiesta. These NFL guys don’t just run, they launch. I’m over here comparing it to cricket like a confused math student. Then Bad Bunny shows up with Spanish hits, and the whole stadium dances. Next IPL season better come with reggaeton too!

25,796 просмотров • 6 месяцев назад