Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, grew up in a middle-class Delhi family. What started as a small idea between three brothers, Rikant, Nishant, and Prashant , turned into one of India’s biggest online travel companies.
They didn’t raise money from investors. They built everything themselves. Today, EaseMyTrip is India’s second-largest travel platform and one of the few that’s always been profitable.
A Simple Idea That Worked
The idea began when they saw travel agents charging hidden fees. So they decided to build a platform that was simple, fair, and transparent.
“We started by booking tickets for our father,” Rikant says. “We saw the gaps and decided to fix them.”
That focus on trust became their biggest strength. Every new employee still spends time in the call center, learning how customers think and what problems they face.
Growing Without Funding
While many startups spent heavily to grow fast, EaseMyTrip focused on steady profits. “Eighteen years, no funding, always profitable,” says Rikant.
Because of that approach, the founders still own over half the company even after going public , something very few Indian startups can say.
Tech at the Core
Rikant was the company’s first coder. “I learned to build the website myself,” he says. “No sleep, no breaks, just learning and fixing.”
Now the company uses AI and machine learning to improve how people plan their trips. EaseMyTrip is also exploring virtual reality travel previews and smart trip recommendations.
Supporting New Startups
With its new program, InvestEaseMyTrip, the company helps young entrepreneurs in the travel and hospitality space. Startups get funding, mentorship, and access to EaseMyTrip’s network.
“If you’re building something meaningful for travel, we’ll help you grow,” says Rikant.
Going Electric
After buying Yolo Bus, which ran 250 diesel buses, EaseMyTrip began converting them into electric buses. When suppliers couldn’t meet their needs, they set up their own EV manufacturing unit in Bengaluru. Their first government tender came from Madhya Pradesh.
Lessons on Funding
Rikant’s message to startup founders is blunt: “Raising money is easy. Meeting investor expectations isn’t.”
He believes founders should build strong businesses first, not chase funding. “Your equity is gold, don’t give it away too soon.”
A Work Culture That Lasts
EaseMyTrip has an unusual record, zero attrition in its tech team for seven years. “We work like a family,” says Rikant. “Everyone’s opinion matters. That’s why people stay.”
Organizing Pilgrimage Tourism
Through Easy Darshan, the company is trying to bring structure to India’s massive pilgrimage travel market. They’re partnering with temples and training locals to offer better experiences.
Smart Marketing Moves
When they didn’t have money for ads, they got creative. One big campaign with Coca-Cola offered trips to Singapore through codes on bottle caps. “We couldn’t spend big, so we thought smart,” Rikant laughs.
Standing by Their Values
When political tensions rose between India and the Maldives, EaseMyTrip launched a “Chalo Lakshadweep” campaign and refunded bookings from its own pocket.
“It hurt financially,” Rikant admits. “But it felt right. Some things are bigger than profit.”
Looking to the Future
Rikant is now investing in AI startups through his venture studio. “The next big company might not need thousands of people, just a few smart ones using AI,” he says.
The Bottom Line
EaseMyTrip’s story is about patience, persistence, and purpose. They didn’t chase hype. They built value.
As Rikant puts it,
“We didn’t just build a travel company, we built trust.”
