Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility

Aravind Sanka has become a leading figure in India’s mobility sector by helping build Rapido into a recognized bike-taxi and multi-modal transport platform. His bold vision has reshaped how many Indians commute, offering a form of daily transportation that is more accessible, cost-effective, and efficient than conventional alternatives. Under his leadership, Rapido has grown from a disruptive idea into a mass-market service catering to millions of users and creating opportunities for gig workers across India.

Early Life and Education

Aravind is originally from Andhra Pradesh and completed his Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar. From early on, he displayed strong problem-solving skills and a drive toward scalable solutions. His engineering education gave him the technical foundation that later supported the operational and logistical challenges of building a mobility startup.

Professional Journey

Before founding Rapido, Aravind worked with Flipkart in its logistics and supply chain division. During that time, he dealt with scaling operations, managing growth, and financial planning, which are insights that proved invaluable when he entered the domain of urban mobility. His exposure to logistics and last-mile challenges within Flipkart sharpened his understanding of how infrastructure, demand, and supply must be balanced in dynamic environments.

Founding Rapido

In 2015, Aravind co-founded Rapido along with Pavan Guntupalli and SR Rishikesh in Bengaluru. They aimed to address India’s first- and last-mile connectivity problems using two-wheelers, which navigate congested cities more nimbly than four-wheel rides. Rapido gained traction rapidly by offering affordable, on-demand bike taxis that complemented existing transport infrastructure rather than competing directly with it. This strategy allowed Rapido to scale rapidly in city after city, often where conventional ride-hailing faced challenges.

Growth and Expansion

Over the years, Rapido expanded to over 100 cities across India. The company also added services such as Rapido Auto and Rapido Rentals, broadening its mobility offerings. In addition, Rapido entered the delivery space through strategic partnerships, leveraging its network and operational infrastructure. The company’s valuation milestone came in September 2024, when Rapido raised $200 million in Series E funding led by WestBridge, putting its valuation at $1.1 billion and marking its entry into India’s unicorn league. These achievements are well documented in credible business publications and funding announcements.

Leadership and Vision

Aravind Sanka is known for prioritizing customer experience and gig worker welfare. He regularly emphasizes creating fair earning opportunities for Rapido’s “captains” while ensuring commuters receive reliable and cost-effective service. His larger vision is to transform urban mobility into a multi-modal, sustainable ecosystem, one that blends bike, auto, rentals, and logistics. By focusing on technology, operations, and inclusivity, Aravind leads Rapido not just as a transportation startup, but as an enabler of urban freedom and opportunity.

Recognition & Achievements

From the available public record, key achievements and recognition aligned with Aravind’s leadership include:

• Rapido’s $200 million Series E funding in September 2024, led by WestBridge, achieving a $1.1 billion valuation (as reported in mainstream financial media).
• Expansion into over 100 cities in India, marking significant scale and reach in the Indian mobility market.
• Recognition of Rapido as a high-growth startup in India’s mobility sector in various business news reports.

Under Aravind Sanka’s leadership, Rapido continues to push boundaries in India’s urban mobility sector. His journey from an engineering graduate to the co-founder of a unicorn startup reflects vision, resilience, and execution. Through careful expansion, technology-driven operations, and a people-centric ethos, he is redefining how millions commute while creating meaningful opportunities in the gig economy.