From ₹150 to a Vision Beyond a Startup - Fairgo
From just ₹150 and a dream, three Kerala founders — Kailas Padmasree, Midhun Prathap, and Vishnu Aravind — built FAIRGO, the world’s first AI-powered dual-mode ride-hailing platform that lets users book rides through both smartphones and phone calls. Founded in 2024, FAIRGO is redefining India’s mobility ecosystem with transparent pricing, fair driver earnings, and technology that bridges the digital divide — proving that when belief becomes your only capital, extraordinary things can happen.
From ₹150 to a Vision Beyond a Startup
The FAIRGO Story — When belief becomes your only capital, extraordinary things can happen.
In 2024, three young entrepreneurs from Kerala — Kailas Padmasree, Midhun Prathap, and Vishnu Aravind — set out to solve a problem most people overlooked. They had no investors, no savings, and no backup plan — just one shared vision: to build a transportation platform that gives every Indian, urban or rural, a fair chance to move freely.
While cities were advancing with app-based ride systems, millions across smaller towns and rural areas were left behind — disconnected due to affordability, network gaps, or lack of smartphones. The trio saw this gap not as a challenge, but as an opportunity — to make mobility fair, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.
That’s how FAIRGO was born — not in a boardroom, but from a dream to empower everyday people.
The Early Struggles
Turning an idea into a startup is never easy — especially when no one believes in you.
When the team first pitched the concept, most investors dismissed it, echoing the same words:
“This isn’t possible.”
“Come back when you have working technology.”
But instead of stopping, they decided to start small — with what they had. Standing on the streets of Kochi, they began crowdfunding, sharing their vision with anyone willing to listen. Their first-ever investment? ₹150.
That ₹150 became their symbol of belief — proof that even the smallest beginning can ignite something historic.
Still, challenges grew. Building an app required over ₹5 lakhs, and as middle-class dreamers with no steady income, every quote from developers felt out of reach. Doubts arose, and some even labeled FAIRGO a scam in public forums. But the founders refused to give up.
The Turning Point
The team applied for the Kerala Startup Mission grant, hoping to finally secure support for their idea. After months of preparation, they reached the final round of pitching — only to face rejection at the very end.
It was a painful setback. But instead of giving up, they took part-time jobs to keep FAIRGO alive. That’s when everything changed.
They began attracting people who believed in the vision. Instead of salaries, they offered equity — a share in the dream. Soon, a team of 13+ skilled developers joined them, all working not for money, but for purpose. Together, they laid the foundation for something revolutionary.
Building the World’s First Dual-Mode Ride-Hailing Platform
Through months of perseverance, the team developed the core framework of FAIRGO — the world’s first AI-powered dual-mode ride-hailing platform, enabling users to book rides through both smartphones and traditional phone calls.
This innovation bridged India’s digital divide, making it possible for people without smartphones or internet access to use technology effortlessly. The idea was simple yet powerful: “Technology should serve everyone — not just those who can afford it.”
FAIRGO became a symbol of inclusion — a movement towards fairness for both riders and drivers. Riders enjoy transparent, non-surge pricing, while drivers earn fairly and with dignity.
FAIRGO Today
Today, FAIRGO stands tall as proof that persistence and purpose can create something extraordinary.
The startup has built and tested its Minimum Viable Product (MVP), established 30+ global collaborations, and been featured by StartupByDoc and Sharks of India for its innovation and impact.
Built with zero external funding, FAIRGO continues to grow through belief, teamwork, and community support. With a network of passionate developers, strategic partners, and early adopters, the company is setting new standards in ethical, accessible, and AI-driven transportation.
Behind this vision is a talented and diverse team of innovators and engineers who make FAIRGO’s mission possible:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Kailas | Co-founder & Tech Team Lead |
| Midhun Prathap | Python Full Stack Developer (Senior) |
| Jerry | MERN Stack Developer |
| Akash | Flutter Developer |
| Christo | Flutter Developer |
| Althash | UI/UX Designer |
| Ashiq | AI Agentic Developer |
| Ikhlas | AI Agentic Developer |
| Vaajid | Java Developer (Senior) |
| Sidharth | Python Full Stack Developer (Senior) |
| Illyas | Backend Developer (Senior) |
| Nasih | Full Stack Developer (Senior) |
| Krishna | Python Developer (Junior) |
| Naveen | Python Developer (Junior) |
| Sharik | Business Analyst |
| Fahad | Marketing Specialist |
| Hisham | Social Media Manager |
Together, this team continues to transform FAIRGO’s vision into reality — combining technology, creativity, and purpose to redefine mobility for every Indian.
Founder Vishnu Aravind sums it up perfectly:
“We wanted to fix what was broken — to create a fair system where riders pay honestly and drivers earn with dignity. FAIRGO isn’t just a startup; it’s a movement.”
Connect with FAIRGO
Follow FAIRGO on LinkedIn for updates:
linkedin.com/company/fairgoai