Aravind Sanka: How Rapido's Co-founder is Reshaping Urban Mobility in India
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Ever wondered how a simple idea can transform urban travel? Meet Aravind Sanka, one of the masterminds behind Rapido, India's go-to bike taxi service, valued at $1.1 billion in 2024.
A seed of an idea for what eventually became Rapido was likely sown in Aravind’s mind several years before the company was born. On X (formerly Twitter), the entrepreneur shared, “Back in the early days of work, I had realized that sharing a bike ride to work with my friend helped me save quite a bit of money, time, and effort. We beat the traffic every time and discovered shortcuts meant only for the bikes!”
Buckle up as we explore the twists and turns of his life and the lightbulb moment that sparked Rapido's creation. It's not just a success story; it's a rollercoaster ride of innovation, perseverance, and a dash of entrepreneurial magic.
In this tell-all article, we'll walk you through Sanka's fascinating journey, from his early days to becoming a game-changer in the transport world.
Aravind Sanka - Biography
| Name | Aravind Sanka |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 January |
| Education | Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of Rapido |
| Website | rapido.bike.com |
Aravind Sanka - Early Life
Aravind Sanka - Career
Aravind Sanka- Personal Life
Aravind Sanka- Rapido
Aravind Sanka - Investments
Aravind Sanka - Controversies
Aravind Sanka - Awards and Recognitions
Aravind Sanka - Interesting Facts
Aravind Sanka - Early LifeÂ
Aravind Sanka hails from a small village, Tirur, in Andhra Pradesh. “I’d never tasted pizza till I came to IIT,” he once shared in an interview.
Grade 9 was a life-defining period when Aravind’s parents recommended that he move out of the village for better opportunities. It was then that Aravind heard of the term “IIT Coaching.” Little did he know then that this bold step would soon change the trajectory of his life. Although he’d never aspired to be an entrepreneur, the stars seemed aligned in that direction. As the first batch of IIT Bhubaneswar, Sanka was a part of many “firsts” - defining campus culture, organizing the first college fest and raising money for it, and finding his own mentors from other IITs like IIT Kharagpur. Later, almost serendipitously, he was to be one of the first batch of Flipkart hires. These experiences, in a way, gave him a taste of what it’s like to set up something from scratch.
Purbalee Dutta
Aravind Sanka - CareerÂ
Aravind completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in mechanical engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar from 2008 - 2012. He also worked as a summer intern at Tata Motors for three months in 2011.
After a brief stint at Flipkart as a Supply Chain Finance Business Partner, where he was involved in the financial planning and expansion of the logistics of Ekart, Sanka co-founded theKarrier in November 2015, with two other IIT alumni, Pavan Guntupalli, and SR Rishikesh. theKarrier was an intra-city truck and goods transport vehicle aggregator, which combined technology and a network of owners to connect drivers and customers in a hitherto unregulated industry.
When they launched Rapido, they knew they were up against Ola and Uber which had monopolized the market. But the trio were convinced that the masses in India couldn’t always afford to book a cab and needed rideshare.
Aravind Sanka- Personal Life
Outside of work, Sanka is an enthusiastic footballer. In a LinkedIn post, he said, “I feel playing football and managing a company have more in common than what catches the eye. Both activities require identifying the key strengths of players and trusting them to deliver on them. Each one is empowered with responsibility and authority, and the team collectively works together to achieve the goal(s).”
An avid traveler and lifelong learner, on an Instagram post he shared “I truly believe that traveling is the best kind of learning. It makes you modest and prepares you for the world.”
He also gives back to the entrepreneur community by sharing nuggets of wisdom for budding entrepreneurs. He talks about the importance of having a positive mindset and financial discipline when managing funds. Sankha also emphasizes having work experience before starting your own venture as a way to find networking opportunities and identify the best practices for your business.
Shalini Rath
Aravind Sanka- Rapido
Rapido pioneered the bike taxi concept in India in 2015, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional taxis and auto-rickshaws for short distances.
The service excels in providing last-mile transportation, addressing a critical gap in urban mobility, especially in congested areas and provides income opportunities for the thousands of bike owners who become "Captains" (drivers) on their platform.
A user-friendly app allows for easy booking, real-time tracking, and cashless payments; this makes Rapido a convenient choice for riders. The company has placed an emphasis on safety with measures like helmet provision, speed limits, and thorough background checks for drivers. Rapido also potentially reduces traffic congestion and lowers carbon emissions compared to car-based services by promoting shared rides on two-wheelers.
After the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rapido expanded its logistics operations, providing last-mile delivery of goods for local businesses and e-commerce companies. In October 2020, Rapido launched on-demand auto rickshaw hailing services.
Rapido achieved unicorn status in January 2022 after raising $180 million in a funding round. Today, Rapido operates in over 100 Indian cities. The startup’s growth and operations have influenced discussions and policies around bike taxis in various Indian states, contributing to the evolving regulatory landscape for this sector.
Aravind Sanka - InvestmentsÂ
| Announced Date | Organization Name | Funding Round | Money Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 26, 2022 | Windo | Seed Round - Windo | $1.5M |
| July 10, 2022 | Exprto Live | Seed Round - Exprto Live | $50M |
| April 12, 2022 | iTribe | Pre Seed Round - iTribe | $1M |
| June 24, 2021 | Windo | Seed Round - Windo | $500K |
Kinnary Nensee
Aravind Sanka - Controversies
In October 2018, several Rapido bikes were seized in Coimbatore as the company was operating without a permit from the transport department. The next year, in July 2019, Rapido's operations across Tamil Nadu were banned by Madras High Court. The App Store removed the Rapido iOS application for violating local laws.
In December 2022, Rapido Co-Founder Aravind Sanka and Legal Advisor Shantanu Sharma were co-accused in a case registered by Pune city police for cheating the Maharashtra state government and the regional transport office (RTO) by operating illegal bike taxis and not paying relevant taxes.
Aravind Sanka - Awards and RecognitionsÂ
- Startup of the Year 2021: Awarded at the Startup2021 Awards organized by BusinessEx Entrepreneur, and Franchise India.
- 30 Under 30 award (Travel category): Awarded by HT City, Hindustan Times, for being one of the young achievers of 2021.
- Young Entrepreneur Award: Awarded at Business World Young Entrepreneur Award 2020.
- Mobility Startup of the Year: Awarded at the Entrepreneur Awards 2020.
Nitin Konde
Aravind Sanka - Interesting FactsÂ
Aravind was possibly the first IITian from his small town in Andhra Pradesh.
When Sanka and his co-founders decided to launch Rapido, they were close to raising Series A funding for theKarrier. Investors were keen to raise the next round. But behind the scenes, all three were in turmoil: they had growth but a sense of purpose was missing. The company pivoted from being B2B logistics (theKarrier) providers to B2C (Rapido) almost overnight.
FAQ
Who is the CEO of Rapido?
The CEO of Rapido is Aravind Sanka.
What is the education of Aravind Sanka?
Aravind Sanka holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.
Who is the brand ambassador of Rapido?
Rapido's brand ambassadors are Ranveer Singh and Allu Arjun.
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