Royal Brothers: How Abhishek Chandrashekar is Engineering India's Bike Rental Revolution
In a country where millions rely on two-wheelers for daily survival, the concept of "Bike as a Service" seemed like an obvious winner. Yet, for years, it remained a legal impossibility in India. Abhishek Chandrashekar, Founder and CEO of Royal Brothers, didn't just build a platform—he engineered a new regulatory landscape. By spending years advocating for the first legal bike rental license in Karnataka, Abhishek transformed a college dream into a profitable, multi-state mobility infrastructure that serves everyone from daily commuters to superbike enthusiasts.
Abhishek Chandrashekar’s journey is defined by a unique blend of engineering rigor and financial discipline. A Mechanical Engineer from RV College of Engineering (RVCE) and a Chartered Accountant (ICAI), Abhishek combined these disciplines to build a business that prioritizes unit economics over vanity metrics. Alongside co-founder Akash Suresh, he launched Royal Brothers in 2015, starting with just five bikes and a vision to make "sharing" the new "owning." Today, the platform is EBITDA positive and operates in over 25 cities across India.
The Legal Breakthrough
Before Royal Brothers, there was no legal framework for bike rentals in many Indian states. Abhishek spent nearly two years visiting transport departments and persistent advocacy until they became the first company in South India to receive a government-approved bike rental license. This persistence created the very market they now lead.
The Problem: The Inaccessibility of Mobility
Owning a vehicle is a major financial burden for many Indians, particularly students and young professionals. Furthermore, for tourists or those with medical emergencies in remote areas, the lack of affordable, reliable transport can be a life-altering barrier. While car rentals existed, the "two-wheeler gap" remained unaddressed due to regulatory hurdles and logistical complexities.
"We saw people who couldn't afford to buy a motorcycle but desperately needed one for work or family," Abhishek explains. "We also saw travelers who wanted the freedom of a bike without the hassle of bringing their own. We realized that if we could solve the legal and trust barriers, we could create a 'Bike as a Service' model for all of India."
The Solution: A Transparent, Licensed Rental Ecosystem
Royal Brothers provides a seamless, app-based experience where users can rent anything from a basic commuter scooter to a 750cc+ superbike. Unlike the unregulated "black market" rentals, Royal Brothers operates with full government compliance, insurance, and professional maintenance, ensuring safety for both the rider and the community.
The Royal Brothers Experience
- Browse & Book: Select from a diverse fleet of 5,000+ vehicles on the app or website.
- Digital Verification: Upload your license and ID for instant, paperless verification.
- Flexible Pickup: Collect the bike from one of hundreds of "Royal Points" across 25+ cities.
- Pay-as-you-go: Transparent hourly, daily, or monthly pricing with zero hidden costs.
- Ride with Security: Every ride includes RSA (Roadside Assistance) and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Scaling Bharat: The Vijayawada Emergency
While many startups focus only on Tier-1 metros, Royal Brothers has found its true impact in the smaller towns of Bharat. Abhishek recounts a powerful story from Vijayawada, where a customer used a Royal Brothers bike during a late-night medical emergency because no other transport was available. This "last-mile" utility is what drives the company's expansion into every village in India.
"We are not just a travel company," Abhishek notes. "In small towns, we are essential infrastructure. Our goal is to be present in every state, ensuring that a person in a remote village has the same access to mobility as someone in Bangalore."
Royal Brothers Growth Metrics
- 25+ Cities: Presence across 7+ states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.
- Profitability Focused: One of the few mobility startups to achieve EBITDA positivity.
- Fleet Diversity: Operating thousands of vehicles ranging from moped to premium superbikes.
- Zero-Marketing Roots: Grew the initial customer base through offline ads and deep local community engagement.
Lessons in Resilience: The Bootstrapping Mindset
Abhishek’s CA background is evident in his approach to capital. Royal Brothers was bootstrapped for the first four years, relying on personal savings and family support rather than VC funding. This forced the team to focus on "real" revenue and customer retention from Day 1.
"The biggest capital you have is your customer," Abhishek reflects. "If they love your product, they will pay for it, and that is the only validation that matters. Never sign an agreement you don't understand, and never let external money dictate your core values."
Founder's Lesson: Respect the Protocol
Abhishek advises founders to maintain a "professional protocol" even with friends. "If your co-founder is your best friend, keep the friendship outside the office. Inside, it's about the roles and the results. Professionalism is the anchor of a long-term partnership."
The Meaning of Entrepreneurship
For Abhishek, entrepreneurship is a state of mind where you find comfort in the uncomfortable. It’s about the freedom to create something from nothing and the responsibility of solving a problem that helps millions. He views his journey as a "marathon of persistence," where the winners are those who refuse to stop when the legal or financial walls seem too high.
Royal Brothers is proving that mobility is a right, not a luxury. By engineering a profitable and licensed ecosystem, Abhishek Chandrashekar is ensuring that for every Indian, the "Road to Freedom" starts with a Royal Brothers key.
About the Guest
Abhishek Chandrashekar is the Founder and CEO of Royal Brothers. A mechanical engineer from RVCE and a Chartered Accountant, Abhishek is a first-generation entrepreneur who pioneered the licensed bike rental industry in India. Under his leadership, Royal Brothers has grown into a leading mobility platform known for its operational excellence and focus on profitability. He is a passionate advocate for sustainable mobility and serves as a mentor to young founders in the South Indian startup ecosystem.
Royal Brothers is India’s first government-licensed bike rental platform. Operating across 25+ cities with a fleet of thousands of vehicles, the company provides affordable and flexible two-wheeler rentals, ranging from electric scooters to premium motorcycles, empowering millions with the freedom of mobility.