On the roads of Indian cities, where traffic jams and long commutes have become a daily challenge for millions, three young friends saw an opportunity to change the way people move.
Born out of personal frustration and a shared dream to make urban travel easier and more affordable, Rapido emerged as a of hope for countless commuters.
Founded by Pavan Guntupalli, Aravind Sanka, and Rishikesh SR in 2015, Rapido is the brainchild of three determined entrepreneurs who turned a simple idea into India’s largest bike taxi platform, inspiring many along the way!
In this blog, we’ll delve into the story of Rapido and its founders.
About Rapido
Rapido has proven to be a lifeline for millions of daily commuters across India. Founded in 2015 by three IIT graduates, Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR, Rapido started with a powerful goal, to make city travel affordable and hassle-free, especially for short distances where traffic jams often slow everything down.
It began as a bike taxi service in Bangalore quickly grew into a multi-faceted platform offering not only bike rides but also auto-rickshaw and cab services.
With just a few taps on their mobile app, users can find a swift ride that helps them breeze through congested streets.
Beyond people transport, Rapido has expanded to parcel delivery, lending its network of trusted drivers, whom they lovingly call “Captains” to deliver food, groceries, and packages with the same care and reliability.
The app offers multiple payment options, including cashless payments.
At the same time, Rapido creates earning opportunities for individuals who own bikes or autos, empowering them to become drivers and support their livelihoods.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Rapido’s rise has been backed by visionary investors like former Google India Head Rajan Anandan, Hero MotoCorp Chairman Pawan Munjal and many more.
Rapido boasts a presence in more than 100 cities nationwide!
Meet the Founders
Rapido’s journey wouldn’t be what it is today without the vision of its founders. Let’s take a quick gander at the brains behind the brand!
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Aravind Sanka
Born on January 31, Aravind Sanka’s journey began with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bhubaneswar, where he studied from 2008 to 2012. Even during his college days, his curiosity and drive took him to Tata Motors for a summer internship.
After graduating, Aravind gained valuable experience at Flipkart as a Supply Chain Finance Business Partner. There, he was deeply involved in the financial planning and logistics expansion of Ekart, Flipkart’s delivery arm.
In November 2015, alongside his fellow IITians Pavan Guntupalli and Rishikesh SR, Aravind co-founded theKarrier, an intra-city logistics aggregator.
But it was their insight into city traffic struggles that birthed Rapido, a ride-hailing platform built especially for India’s congested streets.
Recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit and impact, Aravind has received multiple awards like the Startup of the Year Award in 2021, the prestigious HT City 30 Under 30 in Travel, and the Young Entrepreneur Award from Business World.
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Pavan Guntupalli
Born in Telangana, Pavan Guntupalli’s fascination with computer programming and trading began at a young age. He completed his schooling in Bangalore before earning his Bachelor of Technology degree from IIT Kharagpur.
After graduation, Pavan started his career as a software developer at Samsung. Fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, he went on to co-found Roppen Labs before joining forces with his college friends Aravind Sanka and Rishikesh SR to launch Rapido in 2015.
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Rishikesh SR
Rishikesh SR, one of the co-founders of Rapido, hails from a small town in Karnataka and pursued his passion for technology by earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer and Information Sciences from PES University in Bangalore.
Driven by a desire to build rather than join, Rishikesh launched his entrepreneurial journey early by founding startups like IMPStant and theKarrier, a mini-truck logistics platform.
He has awarded with the ‘Best Project of the Year Award’.
All You Can Do With Rapido
At its foundation, Rapido’s bike taxi service remains the fastest and most affordable way to navigate busy city streets, making it a favourite for daily commuters looking to beat the traffic.
Beyond bikes, Rapido has expanded its portfolio to include auto rickshaws, giving users a budget-friendly alternative for group rides.
For those who prefer four wheels, Rapido offers both economy and premium cab services, catering to a variety of travel needs.
But Rapido’s vision doesn’t stop at moving people. The platform has also embraced the delivery space with parcel services, leveraging its extensive network of drivers, affectionately called “Captains”, to carry goods, and packages swiftly across cities.
Rapido’s Funding Journey
Rapido has raised a total of about USD 574 million across 13 funding rounds, giving it a current valuation of roughly USD 2.3 Bn. Its first round came in May 2015, and the most recent was a Series E round on 10 June 2025, where it secured USD 15 million led by Nexus Venture Partners.
The company counts around 61 institutional investors, including Nexus Venture Partners, WestBridge Capital, and Thompson Taraz, with WestBridge Capital being the largest among them.
Alongside these firms, Rapido also has strong angel backing from Pawan Munjal and more than 30 other individual investors.
Breaking Down Rapido’s IPO
Rapido does not currently have an initial public offering (IPO), but the company aims to begin preparations for a public listing by in 2026.
Afterword
Rapido’s journey from a simple bike taxi idea to India’s leading urban mobility platform shows how a clear vision can transform everyday challenges into opportunities. Rapido continues to drive impact across the country!