Ola's founder, Bhavish Aggarwal, is reportedly in the process of transferring the intellectual property (IP) rights to the Ola brand from ANI Technologies to a holding company controlled by his family office. This restructuring is part of Aggarwal’s broader strategy to unlock greater value and increase operational agility as the business landscape evolves. Sources have shared these developments exclusively with Moneycontrol.

A spokesperson from Ola confirmed that the company is actively realigning its group structure to better adapt to changes in the market and industries. The restructuring, according to the spokesperson, will be carried out thoughtfully and communicated to the stakeholders at the right time. This move is part of a long-term strategy to ensure that Ola stays ahead of the competition, especially as the electric mobility and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors continue to grow.

Concerns Among ANI Technologies Investors
The transfer of Ola’s brand IP out of ANI Technologies has raised concerns among the company’s investors, who fear that the future royalties linked to the Ola brand will no longer benefit them. At present, ANI Technologies licences the Ola brand to Ola Electric, receiving royalties in return. These royalties are a significant source of income for the company, and transferring the IP could potentially deprive ANI’s investors of any future earnings tied to the brand’s success. This is a sensitive issue because ANI’s investors currently do not have any stake in Ola Electric—the electric mobility venture led by Aggarwal—or in Krutrim, his artificial intelligence (AI) startup.

The restructuring move has generated unease among investors, especially since it could potentially affect their returns from Ola’s brand royalties in the future. Moreover, the Ola Electric venture, which has a growing market presence in the electric vehicle industry, is not linked to the existing shareholders of ANI Technologies, adding to their concerns.

The Impact of the Restructuring on Aggarwal’s Ventures
If the IP transfer is successful, it could grant Bhavish Aggarwal more flexibility to use the Ola brand across his various ventures, such as Krutrim—his artificial intelligence company. Currently, Ola Electric benefits from the brand licensing deal with ANI Technologies, but by moving the brand IP into a family office-controlled entity, Aggarwal could consolidate control of the Ola brand under his family’s private structure. This would allow him greater freedom to use the brand for different initiatives without the constraints of licensing agreements.

The shift in IP ownership also hints at Aggarwal’s intention to streamline operations and build more synergies between his various business interests. Ola Electric, which focuses on electric vehicles, could potentially leverage the Ola brand in ways that go beyond just ride-hailing services, offering more flexibility in product and service offerings.

Moreover, this restructuring could also benefit Aggarwal’s AI venture, Krutrim, which has received significant investment to expand and explore AI-driven mobility solutions. By pledging 1.1% of Ola’s equity, valued at Rs 452 crore, Aggarwal has already started diverting resources to fund Krutrim’s growth, indicating his strategic focus on building an AI-driven future for his businesses. The transfer of the brand IP to a holding company controlled by his family office could provide further avenues for resource mobilization and future-proofing his ventures.

Ola Technologies and Potential IPO Plans
In another significant development, ANI Technologies, the parent company of Ola Cabs, is said to be engaging in preliminary discussions with investment banks. These discussions revolve around the potential initial public offering (IPO) of its ride-hailing business. The launch of an IPO would be a major step for the company, especially as it seeks to capitalize on its extensive network in the ride-hailing market.

Ola Cabs, founded in 2010, quickly became one of India’s leading ride-hailing platforms, securing backing from prominent investors like SoftBank and Tiger Global. However, the restructuring and potential IPO of Ola Cabs are now seen as key moves to unlock more value for stakeholders, while the company shifts towards a broader electric mobility focus with Ola Electric and Krutrim as key pillars of its future growth.

Looking Forward
As Ola Technologies looks to undergo significant changes, this intellectual property transfer and restructuring of the group’s structure will likely have lasting implications for the company’s stakeholders. Whether or not the move will be approved by the board or require investor consent is yet to be determined, but the concerns raised by ANI Technologies’ investors will need to be addressed carefully to maintain investor confidence.

In conclusion, Bhavish Aggarwal’s plan to transfer the Ola brand IP marks an important step in the restructuring of his business empire. While it offers greater flexibility for his ventures, it has raised significant concerns among ANI Technologies’ investors, who are worried about losing out on future royalty earnings tied to the Ola brand. This shift in the corporate structure underscores the growing influence of Ola Electric and Krutrim, both of which are poised to be crucial elements in the company's growth trajectory in the years to come.

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