Exploring the Ownership, Founders, and Net Worth of Rapido

If you live in an Indian city, there’s a good chance you’ve seen someone zipping past on a two-wheeler with a yellow Rapido helmet. Rapido has become a trusted name in urban mobility, offering affordable bike-taxi, auto, and cab services across more than 100 cities in India. But who’s behind this startup, and how did it grow so fast?

Let’s explore the story of Rapido—its founders, ownership, how it makes money, and the journey from a small idea to a billion-rupee company.

Who Founded Rapido?

Rapido was co-founded by Pavan Guntupalli, Aravind Sanka, and Rishikesh SR—three determined entrepreneurs who saw a problem in Indian traffic and decided to solve it.

Meet the Founders:

	Pavan Guntupalli Education: Studied engineering at IIT Kharagpur (some early sources mention IIT Delhi, but Kharagpur is more accurate). Background: Grew up in Telangana and was always drawn to tech and innovation. Career: Worked at Samsung before starting Rapido. Current Role: A key visionary and one of the main drivers of Rapido’s growth.
	Aravind Sanka Works closely with Pavan as a co-founder and spokesperson for Rapido. He’s been a key face of the brand and often represents the company publicly.
	Rishikesh SR The tech brain behind Rapido’s operations. Has played a critical role in building the platform and scaling it efficiently.

How Did Rapido Start?

Rapido didn’t start as a ride-hailing app. In the beginning, the founders launched a logistics company called “theKarrier” to solve last-mile delivery problems. But when that didn’t take off as expected, they noticed a bigger issue—traffic congestion and long commutes in Indian cities.

That insight led to the birth of Rapido in 2016, focused on offering bike taxis as a quick, affordable solution for city travel.

Believe it or not, the founders were rejected by 75 investors before they got their first big break. One of their earliest supporters was Pawan Munjal, the Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, who saw potential in the team’s idea and backed them financially.

Who Owns Rapido Today?

While the three founders still hold stakes in the company, ownership is now shared with several major investors:

• WestBridge Capital – owns around 26%
• Swiggy – holds about 15%
• Other investors: Nexus Venture Partners, Think Investments, and Invus Opportunities
  

This wide investor base has helped Rapido grow quickly and compete with giants like Ola and Uber.

What’s Rapido’s Net Worth?

As of 2025:

• Rapido’s company valuation: Over ₹6,700 crore (around $1.1 billion)
• Recent funding: Raised $200 million in a single round
• Founders’ net worth: Exact figures aren’t public, but based on their stakes, each co-founder is worth several crores
  

For example, Pavan Guntupalli, who was born in 1997, is only 28 years old and already co-leads a billion-dollar startup.

How Does Rapido Make Money?

Rapido’s business model is straightforward yet smart. Here’s how they earn:

1. Commission on Rides: They charge a small percentage from each ride—whether it’s a bike, auto, or cab.
   
2. High Volume: With 2.5 million rides happening daily, their revenue adds up fast.
   
3. Strategic Investments: Support from companies like Swiggy boosts their financial and operational strength.
   

Despite growing revenue—₹648 crore in FY24, up by 46%—Rapido is still investing heavily in expansion. It reported a net loss of ₹371 crore in FY24, which is common for fast-scaling startups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who owns Rapido?
A: The company is co-owned by its three founders and major investors like WestBridge Capital and Swiggy.

Q: How does Rapido earn money?
A: It earns by charging commissions on each ride booked through its app and also benefits from strategic partnerships.

Q: What is Rapido’s current valuation?
A: Over ₹6,700 crore, or approximately $1.1 billion.

Q: How did Rapido begin?
A: It started as a logistics company but pivoted to bike taxis after spotting a bigger opportunity in urban commuting.

Q: Who are the founders?
A: Pavan Guntupalli, Aravind Sanka, and Rishikesh SR.

Q: How old is Pavan Guntupalli?
A: He’s around 28 years old as of 2025.

Final Thoughts

Rapido’s journey is a powerful reminder that big success often begins with small, persistent steps. From multiple investor rejections to creating a billion-rupee brand, the founders of Rapido have shown what determination, smart pivots, and customer-first thinking can achieve.

As India’s urban centers continue to grow, Rapido is well-positioned to shape how millions move every day. And their story isn’t just about business—it’s about vision, grit, and believing in a better way to get from point A to B.