Don’t be afraid to go against the grain: Prashant Pitti

Prashant Pitti, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip and Optimo, was honoured with IDMA Person of the Year award at the 16th edition of Indian Digital Marketing Awards (IDMA), hosted by exchange4media Group. In his address, he walked the audience through his mental playbook as he shared his 18-year entrepreneurial journey.

While sharing his insights, Pitti talked about the importance of learning from failure, but being driven by the win that defined him. Boiling his success down to three guiding principles, he shared: “First: be more curious than cautious. Make mistakes, learn fast, and focus on winning when it counts. “You only need one win. And the world remembers the last one.” Pitti then explained the importance of building habits, “I never skip the gym two days in a row,” emphasizing on the power of consistency rather than intensity. “And third: don’t be afraid to go against the grain,” he said.

Pitti further made a strong case for contrarian thought as conviction rather than disobedience. Citing past scepticism from analysts, he recalled launching EaseMyTrip’s 100% return guarantee during medical emergencies. Though audacious at the time, the concept quickly gained acceptance in the field.

He went on to reveal his latest initiative: using AI to improve Bengaluru traffic. He has already partnered with Google, a personal investment of Rs 1 crore, and recruited more than 600 AI developers as volunteers. “India cannot win by playing catch-up,” he said. “We must win on our own terms.”

Pitti is doing more than just building companies. He is changing the way business owners see risk, work, and advancement. Not by seeking attention, but by adhering to a philosophy that says: act courageously, think carefully, and let the outcomes speak for themselves.