In a major boost to India’s digital storytelling ecosystem, homegrown platform Kuku has secured $85 million in a Series C funding round, led by Granite Asia (formerly known as GGV Capital). The round also witnessed participation from an impressive lineup of investors including Vertex Growth Fund, Krafton, IFC, Paramark, Tribe Capital India, and Bitkraft.
The Bengaluru-based company, founded in 2018, has rapidly evolved into a storytelling phenomenon — blending innovation, culture, and technology to redefine how India listens, watches, and connects with stories.
Credits: Yourstory
Fueling Growth Through AI and Content
The company plans to channel the fresh infusion of funds toward strengthening its AI and data infrastructure, expanding its talent pool across technology and content, and deepening creator partnerships. Beyond this, Kuku aims to accelerate its scaling efforts in both India and international markets, marking an ambitious phase of expansion.
“We’re entering an era where storytelling is powered by intelligence,” said Lal Chand Bisu, Founder and CEO of Kuku. “Granite Asia’s backing, combined with the trust of over 10 million paid subscribers, positions us for exceptional growth. With this investment, we’ll bring celebrated actors and television personalities into our shows — creating content that regularly crosses 100 million views while delivering premium experiences to our audience.”
Doubling Down on Valuation
This latest funding comes at more than twice the valuation of Kuku’s previous round, underscoring investor confidence in the brand’s unique business model and creative potential. Prior to this, Kuku had raised around $68 million across multiple tranches, including a $20.8 million round in August 2023.
The sharp valuation jump also signals how storytelling-based entertainment — particularly in audio and short-form video — has transformed into one of India’s most lucrative digital frontiers.
The Dual Engines: KukuTV and Kuku FM
Kuku operates two flagship products that have collectively built a vibrant storytelling ecosystem:
- KukuTV, a platform known for long-form stories told through bite-sized vertical drama episodes, catering to audiences who love mobile-first, snackable entertainment.
- Kuku FM, which focuses on audio storytelling — spanning entertainment, self-improvement, and knowledge-driven shows — designed to engage listeners across all age groups.
Together, these platforms offer content in over eight Indian languages, reflecting Kuku’s commitment to regional inclusivity and cultural diversity. From crime thrillers and romantic sagas to educational podcasts and mythological retellings, Kuku’s library spans the emotional and intellectual spectrum of India’s storytelling traditions.
GenAI Studio: The Future of Creative Production
Kuku isn’t just about scaling content; it’s about reimagining how content is made. The company has built an in-house GenAI studio, leveraging generative AI to reduce turnaround time and optimize production costs. This technology assists creators across the entire creative journey — from ideation and scripting to production, distribution, and audience engagement.
By combining human creativity with AI precision, Kuku aims to empower a new generation of storytellers and redefine what it means to produce at scale.
Backers See Global Potential
“Kuku represents a new wave of Indian consumer platforms built on deep local insight and mobile-first innovation,” said Jenny Lee, Senior Managing Partner at Granite Asia. “We’re excited to catalyze the team’s vision to become India’s leading storytelling platform — drawing on our experience with consumer tech leaders across Asia to turn local creativity into global platforms.”
Granite Asia’s participation reflects growing investor interest in the creator economy and vernacular content markets, sectors poised to explode as digital consumption deepens across India’s heartland.
Credits: The Economic Times B2B
The Road Ahead
With a powerful mix of technology, talent, and storytelling, Kuku is on course to become one of India’s most influential entertainment brands. The company’s next frontier involves not just entertaining domestic audiences but exporting India’s storytelling ethos to global platforms.
As millions of new users continue to discover the joy of bingeable narratives — whether watched or listened to Kuku’s latest fundraise may well mark the dawn of India’s next big storytelling revolution.
