Scaling New Heights: The Journey of Raghav Belavadi’s Luxury Mobility Startup from India to Global Success
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Raghav Belavadi, the founder of Hype Luxury. A Mechanical Engineering graduate and an alumnus of Oxford University, he is a seasoned professional with a distinguished leadership background. Having worked with renowned brands such as Daimler, Rolls Royce, J&J, and CAT, Belavadi also brings a wealth of experience from global leadership roles at companies like Accenture, Infosys, Hughes, and Wipro, among others. He is recognized as a serial entrepreneur, having successfully established global ventures in specialized domains including Fintech, Luxury, EdTech, and Mobility.
What motivated you to launch your startup?
An unexpected disappointment while trying to book a Rolls Royce for our parents’ wedding anniversary led to an entrepreneurial epiphany. Observing the chaos in this unorganized market, I founded Hype Luxury — a venture that turns setbacks into opportunities for refined and organized luxury experiences.
What excites you about what you’re building?
We aspire to craft an unparalleled luxury brand accessible to everyone. While not everyone might choose or afford to own an expensive car, yacht, or private jet, they can still enjoy a superior experience or make it a part of their lifestyle through Hype’s exclusive hiring services. Today, we are the biggest luxury brand in three countries, and that drives me to aim for even greater achievements.
What has been your biggest challenge in growing your startup?
Establishing a startup, particularly in the luxury sector, poses immense challenges, especially in a country ahead of its time. It required strategic and time-consuming efforts to advocate, raise awareness, and instill values in our target audience. Opting for a complete bootstrap allowed us to pursue our vision without external pressures.
What are your future plans for your startup?
We envision establishing a global luxury lifestyle brand, offering a diverse range of premium services to our discerning clientele. Presently, we are strategically expanding our geographical footprint to attract an ever-growing base of target customers.
If you had to share ‘words of wisdom’ with a founder about to start their own startup, what would they be?
‘Wisdom’ varies greatly based on individual experiences. For me, success comes from a fearless attitude and unwavering resilience in the face of challenges. Running a business inevitably presents numerous challenges, a reality shared by all entrepreneurs. The key is to embrace the journey, navigate the complexities, and keep moving forward.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
#ethosofhype on all social media platforms.
This was very insightful. Thank you so much for joining us!
