image source: Linkedin
Today, when mobility is the key to progress, the Rapido founders remind us that innovation starts with observing everyday problems and daring to solve them.
The three friends met through mutual friends and professional networks in Bengaluru.
They shared frustrations with urban commuting challenges and a desire to make meaningful impacts on society through technology.
Their journey encourages us to move ahead and recognize that the solutions for change are often just outside our usual way of thinking, where we dare to be bold.
The founders
Aravind Sanka was an entrepreneurial-minded guy.
Hailing from a small town in Karnataka, he graduated as an engineer from the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-B) and then joined the big names such as Flipkart.
He wanted to create something that could solve everyday problems faced by millions.
Pavan Guntupalli, who was an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), brought in technical and operational experience.
Experience in technology companies helped him understand how to build scalable platforms.
Rishikesh SR graduated from Pesit Bangalore and shared a common vision with Aravind and Pavan.
He was very technically savvy and understood the dynamics of the market very well, so he was a perfect addition to the team.
The birth of Rapido
The idea of Rapido came in 2015 when the founders of the company identified a massive gap in urban transportation in India.
Ride-hailing giants such as Uber and Ola offering car and auto-rickshaw services, the last mile connectivity remained an issue.
Traffic congestion in cities such as Bengaluru made traveling by car not only time-consuming but expensive too.
They observed that two-wheelers could easily navigate traffic, reducing travel time significantly.
Many individuals had underutilized bikes.
The bike taxi service emerged as an affordable transportation option, allowing bike owners to earn extra income by offering rides.
With this vision, they launched Rapido—a platform connecting commuters with bike riders, known as “Captains.”
The service aimed to solve multiple problems:
- Efficiency: Reduce travel time by maneuvering through congested traffic.
- Affordability: Offer rides at lower costs compared to traditional taxis.
- Employment: Create earning opportunities for bike owners.
They focused on building a user-friendly app with features like real-time tracking, safety measures, and easy payment options to enhance the user experience.
Rapido’s growth and status today
Starting in Bengaluru, Rapido quickly gained traction among commuters looking for faster and cheaper travel options.
The founders emphasized safety and reliability, providing helmets to passengers and conducting thorough background checks on Captains.
Key milestones in Rapido’s journey include:
- Expansion to multiple cities
- Diverse services
- Funding and valuation
- Adaptation during pandemic
An inspiring closing
The journey of Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR showcases the incredible impact of innovation and determination.
By addressing a straightforward yet significant solution to urban commuting challenges, they have transformed Rapido into a prominent player in India’s mobility landscape.
Their story encourages to think beyond traditional solutions and to welcome ideas that disrupt the norm.
As Rapido expands its services and embraces new technologies, the founders’ vision stays strong: to revolutionize urban transportation in India.
Their dedication inspires aspiring entrepreneurs, showing that with passion, resilience, and a focus on customer needs, significant change is possible.
insights into innovation, funding, and success with our startup article. Read today! Rapido: India’s Leading Bike Taxi Service Unicorn
Rajeev – Digital Evangelist | Startup Consultant | Entrepreneur
With 20+ years in SEO, digital marketing, and data analytics, Rajeev has been instrumental in shaping successful online strategies for global brands. As the former Practice Head – SEO & Analytics at WPP/GroupM India, he led high-impact search and analytics teams for over 14 years.
Beyond corporate leadership, Rajeev is a Startup Consultant & Digital Trainer, helping early-stage ventures scale through digital strategies, investor readiness, and technical consulting. He has also been a lead trainer at Digital Vidya and associated with Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, where he empowered students with practical digital marketing knowledge.
An early-stage investor, he has backed Bihar-based startups like Mostech Softwares and Delhi Foods. His expertise spans SEO, SEM, media planning, mobile app distribution, and website development, ensuring businesses establish a strong digital presence.
He is also very passionate about his mother place or state Bihar and currently, he is working with local entrepreneurs to ensure more digital and e-commerce penetration and want to take it to the next level.
🚀 Exciting new venture coming soon! Stay tuned.
