IITian still remembers each of 75 rejections but went on to build a Rs 9,500 crore business. Who is Pavan Guntupalli, founder of Rapido?
Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) alumni achieving stellar positions in global corporations, one particular journey stands out for breaking the mold—a tale of entrepreneurship, resilience, and remarkable brand-building worth Rs 6,700 crore in under ten years. This narrative has become a beacon of motivation for many aspiring Indian entrepreneurs.
Pavan Guntupalli: The Visionary Behind Rapido
Among the many successful IITians, Pavan Guntupalli's story shines as a standout example. Originating from Telangana, Guntupalli cracked the demanding IIT-JEE entrance exam and completed his B.Tech degree at IIT Kharagpur. He began his professional journey at tech giant Samsung before venturing into the startup world.
His initial business effort was a logistics venture named 'theKarrier,' which he co-founded with a friend. Despite their dedication, the company didn't take off and eventually shut down. Yet, Guntupalli remained undeterred. Using his learning from that setback, he launched
Rapido
—a bike-taxi and auto-rickshaw service aimed at offering quick and inexpensive commuting options to everyday riders.
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Undo
Overcoming Investor Rejections
Bringing his vision to life wasn't easy. Convincing investors of Rapido's potential was a daunting challenge. Over 75 potential funders rejected the proposal, largely due to fears that the startup couldn't compete with dominant players. But Pavan's determination never wavered.
In an interview with
NDTV Profit,
he said that he still remembers the 75 rejections but acknowledges that some of them were valid. "We learnt from it," he said.
The Strategy That Made Rapido Unique
What gave Rapido an edge was its unconventional growth strategy. While most ride-hailing services zeroed in on India's metro cities, Rapido turned its focus to tier-1 and tier-2 towns, where mobility issues were widespread and solutions limited. Initially, the company offered highly competitive rates—a base fare of Rs 15 and Rs 3 per kilometer—prioritizing affordability even at the cost of profitability.
This grassroots-level thinking paid off. Rapido gradually expanded across India and today operates in over 100 cities. Its mobile app has recorded over 5 crore downloads, and it boasts a dedicated network of 50,000 riders, referred to as 'captains,' serving a growing user base of around 7 lakh active customers.
A Billion-Rupee Brand
As of 2025, Rapido has grown into a solid brand valued at Rs 9,350 crore, as per a
Tracxn.com
report. According to a report by
Inc42
, the company's annual revenue has crossed Rs 1,000 crore, solidifying its position in India's fast-growing mobility sector—all born from one man's refusal to quit after failure.
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