Stories
The Rapid Growth Of OYO Into India’s Biggest Hospitality Chain
OYO, the famous Indian hotel chain, entered the US market in June 2019 and in just four months, was able to acquire 100 hotels under its management. It also stated it adds one hotel a day to its chain and plans to invest $ 300 million in the US market. The Company, in a short period of time, was able to expand to over 60 cities in the US, including Las Vegas, Houston, Seattle and Miami. It also opened a 35,000 square foot casino called OYO Hotel and Casino.
The Gurgaon based startup has been rapidly growing since its inception in 2012. Founded by Ritesh Agarwal, the startup was initially called Oravels Stays, which enabled listing and booking of budget accomodations. After extensive research, Ritesh Agarwal decided to change the name of the company to OYO a year later. The startup also secured a funding of $ 100,000 from PayPal co founder Peter Thiel, just after being launched. OYO has successfully raised $ 1.5 million from global investors ever since.
Within a span of 7 years, the Company has grown globally, with its presence felt in 500 cities across 10 countries. It has over 17,000 employees globally. Today, the Company has over 173,000 rooms under its management and is considered to be India’s largest hotel chain. OYO has also become the world’s third largest hospitality chain.
The Company’s growth can be clearly seen from its 2018 annual report. OYO reported the Company saw a three fold growth and earned a revenue of Rs. 416 crores from its operations in India.
With the Company growing so rapidly in such a short period of time, its founder, Ritesh Agarwal, aims to make OYO the largest hotel chain in the world by 2023.
A decade ago, the success of a startup was measured largely by its ability to raise capital. Today, a different metric is gaining importance: the ability to generate meaningful exits for investors. Large stake sales by early backers are becoming increasingly common, not because growth opportunities have disappeared, but because India’s startup ecosystem is entering a more mature phase where capital is expected to complete its full cycle from investment to returns.
This evolution is particularly significant for consumer brands that have successfully blended technology, retail, and strong brand-building. Companies that were once viewed as high-risk startup bets are now attracting institutional investors capable of absorbing large transactions. Such developments indicate that these businesses are no longer being valued solely on future potential; they are increasingly being assessed on operational performance, market leadership, and long-term profitability. In many ways, investor exits are becoming a validation of a company’s ability to create lasting enterprise value.
The broader implication extends beyond a single company or investor. Successful exits encourage more global capital to enter India’s startup ecosystem because they demonstrate that liquidity opportunities exist at scale. As more venture-backed companies approach public listings, secondary transactions, or strategic investments, the focus of founders and investors alike may shift from chasing headline valuations to building durable businesses. The next chapter of India’s startup journey will likely be defined not just by the creation of unicorns, but by the creation of companies capable of delivering sustained returns to all stakeholders.
Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Air with M5 chip, starting at $999 for 13-inch and $1,299 for 15-inch models. The MacBook Air M5 boasts a 2nm M5 chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 50 TOPS Neural Engine for seamless AI tasks like real-time translation and 8K editing. Up to 22 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5, and Wi-Fi 7 make it the ultimate ultraportable, now 10% thinner at 0.44 inches with fanless cooling.
Key MacBook Air M5 features include Liquid Retina XDR display (500 nits, nano-texture option), 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker Spatial Audio. Colors like new Sky Blue join Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders are live today, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 enhancing Apple Intelligence and iPhone Continuity for students, pros, and remote workers.
Why buy MacBook Air M5 now? It outpaces Snapdragon X Elite rivals with ecosystem magic and future-proof performance, eyeing top 2026 laptop sales. CEO Tim Cook calls it “more capable than ever.” Visit apple.com for M5 MacBook deals and specs.
Delhi NCR-based gaming startup Zupee has acquired Mumbai-based microdrama platform Vertical TV in a deal valued under INR 40 Cr. This move strengthens Zupee Studio, its short-video arm launched in September 2025, by integrating Vertical TV’s expertise in bite-sized dramas like romance and thrillers.
Facing challenges from India’s 2025 real-money gaming ban, Zupee valued at $1 Bn after raising $120 Mn has pivoted to non-gaming content, including recent layoffs of 40% of its workforce. The acquisition builds on its November 2025 purchase of Australian AI firm Nucanon for interactive storytelling, targeting its 200 Mn+ users with engaging, mobile-first formats.
This deal underscores the rising microdrama trend in India, helping Zupee diversify amid regulatory pressures and compete in the short-video space dominated by quick, shareable content for on-the-go audiences.
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May 31, 2026 at 9:58 am
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