# Prem Gururajan

> Prem Gururajan is the Waterloo-based co-founder and CEO of RideCo On-Demand Transit and founder and executive chairman of Tangam Systems. A University of Waterloo computer engineering and MBET graduate, he moved from computer vision and casino operations software into dynamically routed shared transit after family members struggled with their commutes. His RideCo work includes agency contracts in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta, alongside the operational challenges of large transit software transitions.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and CEO at RideCo On-Demand Transit
- **Organizations:** RideCo On-Demand Transit, Tangam Systems
- **Education:** BASc, Computer Engineering, with International Studies option, University of Waterloo, Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET), University of Waterloo
- **Known for:** Founded Tangam Systems and remains its executive chairman., Co-founded RideCo and led the company through a C$20 million Series A announced in February 2022., Named in the University of Waterloo listing of the 2008 Waterloo Region Record 40 Under 40 cohort.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2006** — Technical roles at Truespectra, Open Text and Cypress Semiconductor, documented in a Waterloo guest-speaker biography.
- **2004-2008** — Tangam’s official history places its founding by Prem Gururajan and Brian Pinchuk in this period; Gururajan led the company as CEO and recruited founding engineers Maulin Gandhi and Jason Jackson.
- **2006** — Listed as president and CEO of Tangam Gaming in the University of Waterloo winter guest-speaker program.
- **2008** — Recognized in the Waterloo Region Record 40 Under 40 cohort listed by the University of Waterloo.
- **2013** — Co-founded RideCo with Matthew Monteyne and Darren Maki.
- **2015** — RideCo launched its on-demand transit service in Ontario.
- **2020** — RideCo announced a $28 million, three-year technology and services contract with Los Angeles Metro for a planned 100-vehicle operation.
- **2022** — RideCo announced a C$20 million Series A led by Eclipse Ventures.
- **2025** — RideCo announced Access-A-Ride technology selection by New York City Transit and a MARTA modernization agreement.
- **2026** — Addressed RTC commissioners during the troubled Las Vegas rollout; a September company webinar subsequently described service improvements and transition lessons.

## Achievements

- Founded Tangam Systems and remains its executive chairman.
- Co-founded RideCo and led the company through a C$20 million Series A announced in February 2022.
- Named in the University of Waterloo listing of the 2008 Waterloo Region Record 40 Under 40 cohort.
- Led RideCo as it secured technology agreements with Los Angeles Metro, New York City Transit and MARTA.
- RideCo ranked 95th in the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 with 1,276% revenue growth; this is a company achievement under his leadership.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — RideCo’s RTC webinar discussed launch challenges involving data, hardware and operating policies, alongside claimed improvements in on-time performance and excessive late trips.
- **2026-05** — Gururajan appeared before the RTC board in Las Vegas following complaints about the March software rollout; commissioners challenged service performance and sought improvements.
- **2025-12** — RideCo announced a MARTA contract involving modernization of a 200-plus-vehicle fleet and plans for MARTA Reach.
- **2025-10** — RideCo announced selection for New York City Transit’s Access-A-Ride technology modernization, with phased rollout planned for 2026 and 2027.

## Links

- Website: https://www.rideco.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prem-gururajan-b8737b/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/Prem_tweets

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/prem-gururajan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23