Ola Group, which operates across ride-hailing, electric mobility, and artificial intelligence, has emerged as a technological frontrunner among India’s startups. The company now holds more than 50% of all patents filed by India’s 117 unicorns, according to data from the Indian Patent Advanced Search (IPAS) System.
Collectively, Indian unicorns have filed just 229 patents—highlighting a relatively modest focus on intellectual property within the startup ecosystem. In contrast, the Ola Group alone has filed over 650 patent applications, with 180 already approved. The majority of these filings come from Ola Electric, the EV-focused arm of the group, which contributes nearly 70-80% of the total.
Ola’s founder, Bhavish Aggarwal, recently commented on the milestone via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
Despite this achievement, 101 of the 117 unicorns in India have reportedly not filed a single patent, underscoring a broader trend of prioritizing market growth and valuations over core technology development.
Leading India’s Deep-Tech Push
In FY23 alone, Ola Electric filed 205 patents, making it the top EV patent filer in India. These filings cover a wide range of areas, including battery technology, vehicle software, artificial intelligence, and advanced safety systems.
Ola Electric has also significantly increased its investment in research and development. The company spent ₹507 crore on R&D in FY23—amounting to 19.3% of its total revenue, a dramatic rise from ₹175 crore the previous year. Looking ahead, the company plans to invest ₹1,600 crore in R&D over FY25 to FY27.
But 650 applied patents is not enough — we’ll be accelerating innovation even more in the coming years!”
Global IP Footprint
Ola’s innovation drive extends beyond India. The group has also secured patents in key international markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, China, and Australia—strengthening its position as a globally competitive tech enterprise.
At a time when much of India’s startup scene remains focused on rapid scale and consumer acquisition, Ola’s focus on proprietary technology and IP development sets it apart as a leader in India’s emerging deep-tech economy.