Ola vs. Tesla: Bhavish Aggarwal’s Vision for India's Tech Future and Why Elon Musk Should Diversify
Image: Bhavish Aggarwal & Elon Musk
Image Courtesy: Business Today
In a candid discussion, Ola founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal shares his thoughts on being compared to Tesla's Elon Musk, his vision for Ola Electric and Krutrim, and the challenges of building a tech giant in India.
Bhavish emphasizes the unique path Ola is carving for itself, distinct from Western tech giants, and how India is positioned to lead the global south in technological advancements.
This blog delves into his insights, the principles driving his companies, and the broader implications for India's future in the tech landscape.
Bhavish Aggarwal on Comparisons with Elon Musk
Bhavish Aggarwal addressed the frequent comparisons made between him and Tesla CEO Elon Musk with a mix of humility and humor.
He acknowledged Musk’s influence but also questioned why the Tesla CEO is entering similar business ventures.
"You know, I’m just being myself. I’m much younger than him, and he’s someone we all look up to. But honestly, I’m not sure why he’s venturing into the same businesses I’m in. Maybe he should try something new for a change. I started Krutrim before he launched his AI venture,”
said Bhavish, showcasing both his respect for Musk and his confidence in Ola’s path.
Ola’s Unique Identity and Vision
Bhavish further highlighted the cultural differences between Silicon Valley and India, humorously pointing out that
“We prefer the kurta-pyjama over a leather jacket any day. If people in Silicon Valley can wear leather jackets and black polo t-shirts, why can’t we wear a kurta and have long hair?”
This statement reflects Ola’s commitment to staying true to its Indian roots while building globally competitive products.
He articulated Ola’s mission clearly:
“Tesla is for the West, Ola is for the rest. The products that companies like Tesla, etc., will build are for the 1 billion rich people. The larger opportunity is to build for the global south, build for India, and then expand to the global south. That's what Ola Electric is doing with our products. We're the first to have a Gigafactory in India.”
This vision underscores Ola’s focus on addressing the needs of emerging markets rather than merely competing with Western giants.
The Ambitious Path of Krutrim
Krutrim, Bhavish’s latest venture, aims to position India at the forefront of AI technology. He explained that Krutrim, although just eight months old, has the potential to redefine AI in India and beyond.
Image: Ola Electric Launch Krutrim AI
Image Courtesy: MediaNama
Bhavish is clear about his ambition:
“Now with Krutrim, which is our most recent company, just eight months old, the opportunity and ambition is to build India's AI tech. And for too long in India, we have used global technologies without realising the implication of it.”
His words highlight a significant shift—India is not just a consumer of global tech but a creator of it.
Challenges and Opportunities in Building Ola
Reflecting on the journey of building Ola, Bhavish spoke about the challenges he faced in the Indian market.
However, he believes that solid founding principles and genuine intentions are the keys to overcoming these obstacles.
Image: Bhavish Aggarwal
Image Courtesy: Mint
“In a way, if the founding principles of a business are solid and your intentions are genuine, you'll find your path,”
he said, underscoring the importance of integrity in business.
Bhavish is optimistic about India’s future, especially given the country’s youthful population and growing influence on the global stage.
“We’re living in the most exciting time of our lives, where India is on the rise, and the future will be shaped by Indians. With 20 per cent of the world’s growth happening here and a significant portion of the global youth in India, our country is poised to increasingly set the global agenda,”
he added.
India’s Moment on the Global Stage