Launch · Mobility & Logistics

Rapido launches food delivery pilot to challenge incumbents

What they do

Rapido is a mobility platform offering bike taxi, auto, and cab booking services across multiple Indian cities

The company launched a food delivery pilot in Bengaluru, charging restaurants a low flat fee or zero commission

The move aims to disrupt the dominant Zomato and Swiggy duopoly by offering restaurants an alternative to high commissions

Mobility startup Rapido has launched a food delivery pilot in Bengaluru to challenge established market leaders Zomato and Swiggy.
The company is rolling out an alternative platform offering lower commission rates to attract restaurant partners struggling with high aggregator fees.
For its pricing structure, the firm charges restaurants a flat delivery fee of ₹25 for orders under ₹400 and ₹50 for larger orders.
This pricing translates to an effective commission range of 8–15%, which is significantly lower than the 16–30% charged by incumbents.
Additional industry reports highlighted a zero-commission initiative known as Ownly designed to keep online prices equal to dine-in menus.
Ahead of this food delivery push, the company raised ₹125 crore ($15 million) from Nexus Venture Partners as part of its Series E round.

Numerous dining establishment proprietors have expressed mounting frustration regarding heavy platform commissions and expensive promotional expenses required for visibility.
Industry bodies like the National Restaurants Association of India have been seeking fairer partnership models similar to open networks like ONDC.
Incumbents currently hold a tight duopoly, with Zomato commanding around 54% market share and Swiggy holding 46%.

Rapido operates a ride-hailing platform facilitating bike taxis, auto-rickshaws, and cabs through a mobile application.
The company connects millions of daily commuters with independent drivers, referred to as captains, across hundreds of Indian cities.
It generates revenue by taking a commission or fee from rides booked through its technology platform.
The firm leverages its existing hyperlocal logistics network and large rider base to expand into adjacent delivery services.
It serves tens of millions of active monthly customers seeking affordable daily transit options.

The company plans to expand its food delivery pilot beyond Bengaluru depending on traction and merchant adoption.

Nexus Venture Partners (lead) — A prominent venture capital firm investing in technology startups.
Swiggy (existing) — A major food delivery and quick commerce aggregator in India.

Product: A ride-hailing app focused on bike taxis, with expanding mobility and delivery offerings.
Customers: Commuters and riders seeking low-cost transport, plus drivers earning through the platform.
How it makes money: Charges commissions or service fees on rides and related marketplace transactions.
What sets it apart: Uses two-wheelers to provide low-cost, flexible urban transport and matching.
Operations: Operates in multiple Indian cities and is building a broader super-app model.