Aravind Sanka

Aravind Sanka is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Rapido.

Journey

Sanka studied engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar and worked at Flipkart, where he gained exposure to logistics and large consumer operations. He later worked with Pavan Guntupalli on an intercity logistics start-up. The experience highlighted fleet and routing problems but did not become a lasting business, prompting the team to look for a higher-frequency transport market.

In 2015, Sanka, Guntupalli and Rishikesh S R founded Rapido. The service began with bike taxis, aiming to offer quick and affordable trips through congested cities. It subsequently added auto-rickshaws and cabs and developed a subscription-led approach for some driver categories. As CEO, Sanka leads fundraising, regulatory engagement and expansion while the three-founder team remains identified by the company.

Working approach

Sanka has emphasised supply density and simple economics for captains. Rapido's development shows a willingness to broaden the product while retaining a focus on short urban trips and driver availability.

Assessment

He has led Rapido through a difficult regulatory and competitive market. The central test is whether the platform can support sustainable captain income and reliable service without depending on prolonged subsidies or uncertain legal treatment.