Ankur Rastogi is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of Zostel, Asia's largest chain of backpacker hostels, and the budget hotel aggregator ZO Rooms. An alumnus of IIT (BHU) Varanasi and IIM Calcutta, Ankur has a strong background in engineering and management. He, along with his co-founders, identified a significant gap in the Indian market for standardized, affordable, and community-focused accommodation for young travelers, leading to the creation of Zostel in 2013. His entrepreneurial journey showcases a keen eye for market opportunities, resilience in navigating the competitive startup landscape, and a drive to innovate within the travel and hospitality sector. He has been instrumental in scaling Zostel's operations and has also been a key figure in the high-profile, though ultimately contentious, acquisition talks of ZO Rooms by OYO.
Ankur Rastogi's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:
Successfully co-founded and scaled Zostel to become Asia's largest chain of backpacker hostels, significantly impacting the budget travel and community living space in India and expanding to Southeast Asia. Zostel created a new category of branded, experience-led accommodations.
Co-founded ZO Rooms, a budget hotel aggregation platform that rapidly gained traction and became a major competitor in the Indian hospitality market, challenging established players and leading to a significant (though later disputed) acquisition offer from OYO Rooms.
Played a pivotal role in leveraging technology to organize and standardize the fragmented budget accommodation sector in India, enhancing accessibility and experience for travelers.
Recognized as an influential entrepreneur in India, contributing to the growth and dynamism of the startup ecosystem, particularly in the consumer internet and travel-tech domains. His journey has inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs.
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani - Year 2020
APMG-International, United Kingdom - Year 2011
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University - Year 1999
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