Start-ups are to the last 5 years, what smartphones were to the years before. From being concentrated to just a few Western countries to spreading across the world, start-ups have come a long way. In 2015, it was ‘uber-cool’ to have a start-up, but in 2020, every start-up wants to be a unicorn. Everyone wants to be funded, every entrepreneur wants to get into the process of ‘growth hacking’. As is with buzzwords and viral trends, most people try to chase the goal, without grasping the intricacies of the process. In the race to become a unicorn and being obsessed with the tag, entrepreneurs often fail to work on their babies, their start-ups, they forget to give their start-up all they have. They forget that unicorns are called unicorns because they are rare, and it takes a lot to be a unicorn.
Musk-Mania
Today, every second individual who dreams of having a start-up thinks of himself and herself as Elon Musk. The founder of SpaceX, the man behind Tesla, who is currently in the news for his claims about life on Mars, is loved, admired, and idolized by many. While we look at Musk as a Western champion entrepreneur and start-up founder, India is home to a few individuals who have the potential to do, if not outdo, what Musk is doing, in the near future. One of them is Raghav Belavadi, the man who is revolutionizing luxury mobility in India.
Raghav is the founder and CEO of Hype Luxury Mobility, India’s premier luxury car rental brand. Spread across 12 cities in India and in Dubai, Hype provides some of the finest cars in the world today. One can use the Hype app to book any of the luxury cars. The app offers both self-drive as well as chauffeur-driven options. From a long drive to a weekend getaway, and from an intimate wedding to a quick airport transfer for your entire team, Hype takes care of all your mobility needs.
Raghav, the mastermind behind the luxury mobility revolution in India, pursued Mechanical Engineering before completing an Advanced Communication Skills certification from Oxford. He spent quite a few years at Accenture, evolving as a global leader, before starting Hype, which is India’s #1 luxury car rental brand today. Over the years, he has amassed impressive business acumen in addition to 18 years of experience in innovation, user experience, and strategy. 
Is the ‘hype’ real?
Now, you may ask, what makes Raghav Belavadi so special? What sets him apart from any XYZ entrepreneur that you come across on LinkedIn, and we all know how easy it is to call yourself an entrepreneur these days! Economics categorizes the resources of economic activity into 4 divisions: Land, labor, capital, and entrepreneur. But we always think businesses with regard to only the first 3. We often forget what a crucial role the entrepreneur plays. The entrepreneur is the engine of the company, the mind behind the masterplan, the sailor of the ship. And just like Elon Musk, Mr. Belavadi knows how to sail through uncharted waters and keep the sails, and sales (pun intended) high.
In a country that was known for being frugal in their daily lives, where the common man’s bargaining skills are feared as much as they are admired, where the middle-class working professional shares an auto with at least 2 other people to save money, Belavadi’s start-up is changing the way we look at our own resources, our own capital. For each individual, the ‘land, labor, capital, entrepreneur’ checklist still holds, in different capacities. While we often think of our materialistic possessions as our resources, our time is our biggest resource. It is a luxury for those who want to grow and get better. Raghav Belavadi channeled his business insight, coupled with the cultural fuel that is the shift towards premium living and everyday luxury. Thus, was born Hype.
Raghav Belavadi and the age of ‘everyday luxury’
Hype is for those who realize that time is everything, and it deserves to be taken care of. These people may have to fly for a business meeting but will go to the airport in a BMW, so they can prepare the pitch for the client. These are the people who want an intimate wedding but will make sure their guests are received in an Audi. These people personify taste, elegance, and opulence. For them, exclusivity and luxury aren’t reserved for the weekends or ‘special occasions’. It is a lifestyle, one that makes them better, happier, each day. Raghav Belavadi is the man that is making this a reality. When he launched Hype, everyday luxury may have been a disruptor, but the way he’s taking it forward, it might soon become the norm!
During the pandemic, while a lot of businesses have suffered, Raghav has expanded Hype and taken it to new heights. Be it opening services in 5 new cities or launching a private jet rental service, Hype is soaring! In 2020, consumers demand safety, security, and exclusivity more than ever. Raghav Belavadi is out to ensure that they get all of that and more.
Remember this, this man is the Elon Musk of India.
Watch out for Raghav Belavadi. With him in the Indian start-up scene, bigger and better things are coming your way. With Raghav Belavadi and with Hype Luxury Mobility, the hype is always real.
