From Zero To Crores: How Gupio’s Founder Turned Struggle Into A Parking Solution

Last Updated:March 26, 2026, 17:15 IST

He took up multiple jobs over time, including packing biscuits at a factory, selling tender coconuts outside a hospital, working at toll booths, delivering for Amazon and so on.

In Bengaluru’s fast-growing corporate landscape, parking has quietly become one of the most persistent problems. Large campuses, limited space and long walking distances have turned a basic necessity into a daily struggle for thousands of employees. Solving this challenge is a start-up called Gupio, founded by 30-year-old Gurumurthy, whose journey to entrepreneurship is as remarkable as the solution he has built.

Gurumurthy’s story begins in Hanumasagara Taanda in Karnataka’s Davanagere district, where he grew up in extreme poverty. His uncle played a crucial role early on, bringing him to NR Pura, which is 150 kms away and supporting his education until SSLC. However, financial pressures at home forced Gurumurthy to drop out in Class 8 and work as a daily wage mason.

After a year, his uncle convinced the family to send him back to school. This time, Gurumurthy made a firm decision — he would continue his education while earning his own money to support it. That choice would define the years ahead.

Weekends of Work, Weekdays of Study

While studying, he followed a demanding routine. Every Friday evening, he would travel from Shivamogga to Bengaluru by train and work at a wedding hall through Saturday and Sunday. By the weekend, he would earn around Rs 1000, which helped fund his education.

He would then return to Shivamogga on Monday morning and attend college. Despite this effort, financial difficulties forced him to stop his education after PUC (12^th). Having studied entirely in Kannada medium, he had once dreamt of becoming a Chartered Accountant, but circumstances did not allow him to continue.

Gurumurthy then moved to Bengaluru in search of work. He took up multiple jobs over time, including packing biscuits at a factory, selling tender coconuts outside a hospital, working at toll booths, delivering for Amazon and working as a salesperson at Croma.

Limited English communication initially cost him opportunities, but he gradually improved through customer-facing roles in mobile showrooms and retail jobs. Each role added to his understanding of people, work and survival.

At one point, under family pressure, he appeared for police recruitment exams. He cleared the physical test and attended the written exam, but chose to withdraw before results were announced. He felt strongly that his future lay in building a business rather than taking up a government job.

From a Dropped Idea to a Practical Solution

His first business idea was to build a technology-enabled garage where customers could monitor vehicle servicing through live CCTV. Due to lack of funds, this idea could not take off.

He then shifted focus to a more immediate problem — parking management in corporate spaces. This led to the creation of Gupio, a name inspired by the Gappi fish, known for its ability to adapt to different environments. The company was built on the idea of providing customised parking solutions based on client needs.

Building Gupio With Rs 7500 and Relentless Effort

Getting the first client required persistence. Gurumurthy approached a corporate parking security manager repeatedly for nearly three months before securing his first contract.

The company began with an initial investment of Rs 7500 from his own savings. Additional funds came from a bank loan secured by pledging his wife’s gold jewellery in July 2023. In the first three months, he was the only employee, handling operations, coordination and execution on his own.

Today, Gupio operates in Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Delhi, working with several major companies. The start-up provides organised parking solutions near workplaces and arranges pick-up and drop services when parking locations are far from office premises.

The company now has 130 employees across India and manages around 3000 cars and 6000 bikes daily. Its turnover has reached Rs 6 crore, and it has begun expanding into technology-driven services, including a vehicle monitoring feature introduced earlier this year.

A Personal Life Built Against Odds

Alongside his professional journey, Gurumurthy also built a personal life through determination. He married his college mate despite opposition from both families, and today they have two children, a 5-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.

His past continues to shape his decisions. Remembering the struggles he faced for food and education, Gurumurthy has ensured that all employees at Gupio are provided with free boarding, lodging and meals. This allows them to save their earnings and build financial stability.

Gurumurthy’s journey is not built on sudden success but on consistent effort over time. From working as a daily wage labourer to leading a growing start-up, his story reflects how persistence and clarity of purpose can gradually create opportunity, even in difficult circumstances.

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