Deep Kalra, the founder of MakeMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel pioneers, established a billion-dollar company that provides various online travel services, including hotel bookings, airline tickets, domestic and international vacation packages, taxi bookings, train reservations, and bus tickets.

In 1992, after graduating from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi with a bachelor’s degree and earning an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), Deep Kalra embarked on his career. He gained valuable experience working for organizations like GE Capital and ABN AMRO Bank before deciding to start his own company.

Recognizing the rapid expansion and profitability of the Internet sector, Deep resigned from his position at GE Money and initiated a brainstorming session. He observed that the online travel sector was disorganized, much like an unkempt bedroom, filled with brokers, agents, and intermediaries.

With the support of co-founders Keyur Joshi, Rajesh Magow, and Sachin Bhatia, as well as $2 million in funding from eVentures, Deep established MakeMyTrip. The website aimed to eliminate greedy and expensive travel agents, simplifying the travel and vacation planning industry for low-cost vacations.

Also Read: Meet Amol Muzumdar, Sachin Tendulkar’s Childhood Friend, Never Played For India But He Had Better Average Than Rohit Sharma

Apart from his role as the chairman of the NASSCOM Internet Working Group and a member of the body’s Executive Council, Deep Kalra also serves on the board of TiE, New Delhi, and holds a Charter Membership with TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs). He actively participates as a speaker at Internet and travel conferences worldwide and is a member of the CII’s Tourism Subcommittee.

About MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip, founded in 2000 by Deep Kalra, revolutionized the Internet travel sector in India with its mission of empowering travelers through quick, simple, and comprehensive travel bookings. By utilizing cutting-edge technology and providing round-the-clock customer support, Deep aimed to offer the best value in products and services to the US-India travel industry.

Regarding its launch, MakeMyTrip described how it successfully consolidated its position as a customer-first brand known for reliability and transparency before expanding its operations in India in 2005.

As of June 2023, MakeMyTrip boasts a market cap of $2.84 billion, positioning it as the world’s 3345th most valuable company according to the companies market cap website.