College isn’t just a place to learn; it can also be the birthplace of big ideas. Many successful entrepreneurs began their journeys while balancing lectures, assignments, and campus life. Here are a few inspiring stories to show what’s possible when passion meets purpose during college years.

1. Ritesh Agarwal – OYO Rooms

While still in his teenage years and skipping traditional education paths, Ritesh came up with the idea of affordable and standardized stays for travelers. What started with a single hotel listing turned into a global hospitality brand, all before he turned 25.

2. Falguni Nayar – Nykaa

Though Falguni started Nykaa after her career in investment banking, the seed of entrepreneurship was sown during her college days when she observed gaps in beauty retail. Today, Nykaa is one of the biggest e-commerce platforms for beauty products and an inspiring story for students dreaming of building something big.

3. Kunal Shah – FreeCharge

During his college days, Kunal noticed how digital payments could transform the way people handle mobile recharges. His idea led to FreeCharge, which later became one of the most popular digital transaction platforms and was acquired by a leading company.

4. Bhavish Aggarwal – Ola Cabs

While studying and working, Bhavish faced difficulties with transportation. This experience pushed him to launch Ola, a platform that transformed urban commuting. His college experiences became the foundation of one of the largest ride-hailing platforms.

What Can You Learn from Them?

• Start small, even with simple ideas.
• Observe problems around you — solutions can become startups.
• Use college as a testing ground for ideas.
• Networking, mentorship, and learning outside the classroom help a lot.

Final Thought

If they could do it, why not you? Your idea could be the next big success story! Stay curious, stay driven, and start building today.