While planning for a leisure trip or a business one, many of us seek a convenient way to book tickets, hotels, etc. and online booking seems quite hassle-free. Makemytrip is an online travel agency about which many of us are aware, but many of us may not be aware of the man behind this successful venture.

Deep Kalra is the Founder and Group Executive Chairman of MakeMyTrip. It was founded in 2000, to offer Indian travelers comfortable bookings within the comfort of their homes. It has diversified services a with variety of online and offline products and services.

The company is continually developing its technology to be aligned with the global travel market. It was listed on NASDAQ in August 2010.

Born in Hyderabad and brought up in Delhi and Ahmedabad, Deep Kalra was very ambitious since childhood. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1990 from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and later completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

After his studies, he worked for ABN Amro bank but soon felt that he needs to do something else. Then, he met a client who was the largest manufacturer of bowling alleys and he started dealing with real estate owners to set up bowling alleys but soon realized that he needs to gain experience through observing established professionals.

He found an opportunity from GE Capital as VP of business development for retail business. Here also he began to feel that he should start his own business. He worked as an Independent Director by IndiaMART InterMESH Ltd.  

How the initiative took place

After having experiences in different sectors, the idea of a new start-up was constantly striking his mind, he did not have to wait long. It was during 2000, he was trying to sell his wife’s car online and suddenly the idea of starting an online travel company struck his mind, thus the emergence of MakeMyTrip happened.

He spent 2 million USD from eVentures and with other co-founders, he started the most renowned and useful website MakeMyTrip. Initially, the company introduced online train bookings in India, but after the arrival of IRCTC, the company has been involved in online hotel bookings.

He served as a Group CEO of the company from August 2013 to February 2020, after that he took up the responsibilities of Executive Chairman of the MakeMyTrip. Currently, Rajesh Magow is the Group CEO of the company. Karla is also the Chairperson of the NASSCOM Internet Working Group and a member of the Executive Council of NASSCOM.

He was declared the most powerful digital influencer by KPMG and was listed at 1^st rank in 2011. He is the founding member of India Tech.org and is closely involved with FICCI as part of its travel and tourism sub-committees.

Kalra is also a founding member of ‘I am Gurgaon’, an NGO that aims to improve the quality of life in Gurgaon. He is the founding member of Ashoka University and serves in its governing body.

The hard work and determination of Kalra have been paid off with this successful venture.