India Lifestyle Network (ILN) founder Angad Bhatia is leaving the company to pursue a new business endeavor. According to sources, he intends to establish an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with a creator focus, indicating a change in strategy toward assisting the emerging creator economy.
The retirement of Bhatia coincides with a pivotal moment for ILN, which Mensa Brands purchased for almost $100 million in 2022. His departure represents a significant shift in India’s influencer and digital media ecosystem, even if he has not made any public remarks about it.
Credits: LinkedIn (Angad Bhatia)
The Impact on ILN
ILN operates popular platforms such as MensXP, iDiva, and Hypp. With a collective audience of over 20 million social media followers, 100 million monthly active users (MAUs), and more than 250 million monthly video views, ILN has established itself as a powerhouse in the digital content industry.
Despite initial discussions about separating ILN from Mensa Brands, sources suggest that these plans have been shelved for now. Following Bhatia’s exit, his responsibilities will be delegated to other ILN team members to ensure continuity in operations.
ILN’s Journey Under Mensa Brands
ILN was initially owned by Times Internet before being acquired by Mensa Brands, a rapidly growing house of brands startup founded in 2021 by former Myntra CEO Ananth Narayanan. Mensa Brands quickly became a unicorn within six months of its inception, making it one of India’s fastest startups to achieve the milestone. The company focuses on acquiring and scaling digital-first brands, with its portfolio including Dennis Lingo, Pebble, and Karagiri.
Mensa Brands’ Financial Performance
Mensa Brands has maintained steady growth, with its operating revenue rising by 11.6% year-on-year to INR 557.6 crore in Q3 FY25. Additionally, the company has managed to reduce its net losses by 31% to INR 155.8 crore. Backed by heavyweight investors such as Accel Partners, Prosus, Tiger Global, Alpha Wave, Norwest Ventures, and CRED’s Kunal Shah, Mensa continues to strengthen its position in the Indian e-commerce and digital brand landscape.
What Lies Ahead for Angad Bhatia?
Bhatia’s decision to launch a creator-focused AIF aligns with the rapid expansion of India’s creator economy. With brands and advertisers increasingly leveraging influencers and digital content creators, there is significant demand for financial backing and strategic support in this sector.
By setting up an AIF, Bhatia is likely to offer funding, mentorship, and business growth opportunities to emerging and established creators. His extensive experience in building and scaling digital-first content platforms positions him well to drive this initiative forward.
The Growing Importance of Creator Economy Investments
The Indian creator economy has seen exponential growth, with influencer marketing, branded content, and direct-to-consumer (D2C) monetization playing a pivotal role. Startups, brands, and investors are now recognizing the potential of content creators as independent businesses, paving the way for structured investments in this space.
Bhatia’s upcoming AIF could bridge the gap between financial resources and creative talent, enabling influencers to scale their content ventures into sustainable businesses. With the backing of potential investors, this move could further solidify India’s position as a leading player in the global creator economy.
Credits: PUNE.NEWS
Final Thoughts
Angad Bhatia’s exit from ILN and his foray into creator-focused investments mark a major transition in his career. While ILN will continue under the umbrella of Mensa Brands, Bhatia’s new venture could unlock fresh opportunities for India’s digital influencers and content creators.
As the ecosystem evolves, it will be interesting to see how this development shapes the future of creator-led businesses and influencer-driven digital media in India. His move could inspire a new wave of creator-driven investments, fostering innovation and sustainability in this space. Additionally, as more investors recognize the potential in supporting digital creators, the industry could witness unprecedented growth. Bhatia’s experience and network will likely play a crucial role in nurturing talent and scaling businesses, potentially setting new benchmarks in the creator economy.
