Pratik Nilangekar once had big dreams for his astrology startup. Like many young entrepreneurs, he poured his heart into the idea. But despite the effort, it didn’t work out. The venture failed.
It was a tough moment—the kind that tests not just your plans, but your spirit. He could’ve given up, taken a safe route, or blamed the system. But instead, something unexpected happened.
On a quiet afternoon, Pratik took a cab ride in Nagpur. It was meant to be a personal trip, a chance to revisit old memories. But fate had other plans. The driver began to talk—not just about the ride, but about his struggle.
He shared how ride-hailing apps were eating away at drivers’ earnings, taking up to 30% in commissions. He worked long hours and still barely made enough to support his family. He felt powerless—just another cog in a system that didn’t value him.
Pratik listened. And something inside him shifted.
He remembered his grandmother, who once broke barriers to become one of Maharashtra’s first female auto-rickshaw drivers. She had grit, courage, and pride. Her story reminded him: real
change doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from standing up when something feels wrong.
That ride sparked a new mission. ZeroRiide was born—not as a business idea, but as a promise. A ride-hailing platform where drivers keep 100% of what they earn. No commissions. No exploitation. Just fairness and dignity.
It wasn’t easy. He was going up against giants. The odds were against him. But Pratik knew this wasn’t about profit—it was about purpose.
When ZeroRiide launched in Chennai, it wasn’t just a new app. It was a movement. Drivers joined not for incentives, but for respect. Riders noticed the change—warmer service, cleaner rides, happier faces. Because when people are treated right, it shows.
This is the story of a failed startup that led to something greater. A reminder that failure is not the end. Sometimes, it’s just the beginning of the story you were truly meant to write.
So if you’ve failed, if you’ve hit a wall, if you’re questioning your path—remember Pratik’s journey.
One ride changed his life.
One failure showed him his true purpose.
And your moment might be just around the corner.
