Bob Rides, a Bengaluru-based startup, has received a ₹2 crore technical grant from Microsoft to build an app that makes booking rides easier and cheaper. Launched in September 2025, the app combines India’s major ride-hailing services — Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Namma Yatri — into one platform. Users can compare fares and book the cheapest option instantly without switching between multiple apps.
The idea came from 22-year-old Jai Adithya Poorana, a Christ University graduate. “During college, I had a 25-km daily commute and constantly juggled between apps to find the cheapest ride,” he told Startup Pedia. Poorana pitched the concept to Microsoft in June 2024 and secured a grant worth $250,000 (about Rs 2 crore), including $150,000 (about Rs 1.3 crore) in cloud credits. “That gave us the foundation to build the app,” he added.
Initially, Poorana tried outsourcing development but faced challenges.
"I am from a marketing and operations background. The technical stuff was something I needed expert help with. That's when I approached Ansh to come build the whole technical infrastructure of the company," he told the publication.
He partnered with Ansh Arora, 23, a BCA graduate and tech enthusiast from Christ University, who joined as co-founder and CTO. Arora had experience leading engineering projects that generated over Rs 1 crore in revenue for his university consultancy. “Outsourcing wasn’t working, so Jai convinced me to build the technical infrastructure for Bob,” Arora told Startup Pedia.
Bob Rides is designed as an end-to-end booking platform, not just a price comparison tool. “If Rapido charges Rs 250, Uber Rs 271, and Ola Rs 264, Bob Rides shows all options clearly so users can click, compare, and book,” Arora explained. The app also solves storage issues for users who previously had to keep multiple ride-hailing apps on their phones.
The founders believe Bob Rides can scale across metro cities and become the go-to mobility aggregator for urban commuters. “We want to make travel simple, transparent, and affordable,” Poorana said.
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