The Indian startup ecosystem stands at a crossroads, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal did not hold back while addressing its future at Startup Mahakumbh. With a no-nonsense call to embrace deep tech, long-term innovation, and sustainability over short-term hype, his remarks stirred intense debate. In the midst of this powerful moment, EaseMyTrip CEO and Co-founder Rikant Pittie stepped forward—not only in agreement but with a compelling showcase of what a bootstrapped Indian startup can achieve through vision, resilience, and innovation.
From its humble beginnings, EaseMyTrip has evolved into India’s second-largest online travel platform and one of the rare, profitable, listed internet startups globally that scaled up without raising external capital. Pittie used this moment to reflect on the journey, celebrate key milestones, and share the company’s ambitious future rooted in sustainable mobility.
Bootstrapped, Profitable, and Purpose-Driven
Rikant Pittie’s LinkedIn post, shared shortly after Minister Goyal’s speech, captured the spirit of India’s new entrepreneurial wave. Rather than chase valuations or vanity metrics, Pittie highlighted how EaseMyTrip prioritized profitable growth, technology-first solutions, and customer-centric innovation.
“Minister Piyush Goyal’s visionary leadership has long inspired us to think big, innovate relentlessly, and pursue sustainable growth… At EaseMyTrip.com, we fully embrace this vision,” Pittie wrote.
Since inception, EaseMyTrip offered a key differentiator in a crowded market—zero-convenience fee ticket booking. This small but bold move won trust, loyalty, and a growing user base across India. Over time, the company used revenue to reinvest into technology, expand its services, and enter global markets—all without relying on venture capital.
Their path proves that India’s startup narrative doesn’t always need to follow the Silicon Valley playbook. It can follow its own—rooted in real problems, frugality, innovation, and purpose.
Green Mobility: A Bold New Chapter
EaseMyTrip isn’t stopping at online ticket bookings. Pittie unveiled the company’s next frontier—sustainable mobility through the launch of 4,000 electric buses by 2028. This move stems from their acquisition of YoloBus, a company that redefined intercity travel by prioritizing efficiency and passenger experience.
“An important milestone in this journey was our acquisition of YoloBus… Building on its success, we introduced Easy Green Mobility, our ambitious initiative to develop electric mobility solutions,” Pittie explained.
EaseMyTrip will invest ₹200 crore into the project initially. This effort aims not only to manufacture buses but also to transform the country’s intercity travel experience—making it cleaner, smarter, and more accessible.
These electric buses will tackle multiple problems: urban pollution, diesel dependency, rising fuel costs, and inefficient transport systems. Pittie emphasized that this push for electric mobility aligns with India’s broader vision of becoming self-reliant in core sectors while reducing dependence on foreign technologies.
Not Just Buses: Building an Ecosystem
Pittie made it clear—this isn’t just about deploying vehicles. The company aims to create an entire ecosystem around electric mobility. This includes:
- Charging infrastructure across cities and highways
- Skilling programs for drivers and technicians
- Manufacturing partnerships with Indian suppliers
- Smart fleet management using real-time tech dashboards
- Green finance models for future expansion
“This isn’t just about manufacturing buses; it’s about transforming how we travel while creating a sustainable ecosystem that drives economic growth and empowers local talent,” Pittie said.
EaseMyTrip wants to turn every bus into a mobile innovation hub—offering real-time bookings, GPS tracking, entertainment, Wi-Fi, and eco-efficiency. In doing so, the company aims to revolutionize Indian intercity travel—a sector that affects millions of daily commuters but remains largely unorganized.
A Model Startup for the Indian Growth Story
EaseMyTrip’s success story presents a blueprint for India’s startup future, especially in the context of Minister Piyush Goyal’s message at Startup Mahakumbh. The Minister urged founders to think beyond “quick fixes” and build companies that focus on deep-tech, local problem-solving, and sustainability.
Pittie responded with action, not just words. His company has built a global presence while staying rooted in Indian values and solving Indian problems. The EaseMyTrip story reflects Minister Goyal’s roadmap—a shift from fund-chasing to future-building.
The company:
- Scaled without external funding
- Focused on long-term profitability
- Reinvested revenue into R&D and expansion
- Prioritized tech-driven efficiency
- Committed to sustainability and social impact
“Together, we are paving the way for a future that is electric, sustainable, and unmistakably Indian. The future is bright, and we are just getting started,” Pittie added.
From a Website to a Movement
What started as a simple travel booking platform now operates as a global travel tech leader, touching millions of lives. EaseMyTrip’s evolution captures the heart of the Indian startup movement—grit, growth, and global ambition without compromising on values.
From introducing zero-convenience fee models to integrating tech that enhances transparency in ticketing and customer service, the company has always stayed one step ahead of the curve. Now, with a deep dive into electric mobility, it aims to change how India moves.
The expansion into green travel positions EaseMyTrip not just as a travel portal but as a mobility company with a conscience. The push for e-buses sends a strong message—tech-led startups can drive systemic change in traditional sectors like transport.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Indian Startups
India’s startup ecosystem is maturing. Founders and policymakers now share a collective responsibility to drive sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-led growth. Minister Piyush Goyal’s straight talk at Startup Mahakumbh set the tone, and entrepreneurs like Rikant Pittie responded with clarity, courage, and conviction.
EaseMyTrip stands as proof that India can build global companies without burning through billions. With bold bets on green mobility, it shows that innovation can also be conscious, sustainable, and deeply Indian.
As India looks to become a $5 trillion economy, stories like these will define its entrepreneurial DNA—not just through scale and speed, but through vision, impact, and responsibility.
EaseMyTrip has only just begun its next journey—and this one runs on electricity, ambition, and a promise to leave no one behind.