- Kuku raised $85 million in Series C funding led by Granite Asia, valuing it at $500 million.
- The platform uses AI tools to enhance content creation while keeping human-led production.
- Kuku plans to expand globally in 2026 after strong domestic growth.
Kuku, the Indian storytelling startup backed by Google, has raised $85 million in Series C funding, led by Granite Asia, valuing the company at nearly $500 million. The Bengaluru-based platform, which offers audio and video storytelling through Kuku FM and Kuku TV, plans to use the funds to scale operations, expand creator partnerships, and strengthen its AI-powered content tools.
Fueling Growth in India’s Digital Media Boom
India’s digital media market is expanding rapidly, driven by affordable data, instant payments via UPI, and rising smartphone adoption. According to EY, digital media surpassed television in 2024, making up 32% of India’s media sector and projected to grow 11.2% annually through 2027. Kuku, with over 10 million paid subscribers and 229 million total app downloads, is well positioned to capture this momentum.
AI at the Heart of Content Creation
Kuku has invested heavily in a GenAI studio that supports creators in developing multilingual scripts, titles, and storylines. Founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu said that 70–80% of the company’s workflow now relies on generative AI, improving both quality and efficiency. However, human creators still handle the final production, ensuring originality and emotional depth.
The company’s platforms feature content in eight Indian languages, attracting users from smaller towns—where 80% of its subscribers reside. Kuku pays its 10,000+ creators about ₹400 million ($4.5 million) monthly, reflecting its growing creator ecosystem.
Rivalry and Future Expansion
Despite impressive growth, Kuku faces legal challenges from competitor Pocket FM, which has filed multiple copyright lawsuits. Bisu dismissed these as distractions, noting Kuku’s internal review and anti-piracy tools. The company plans to invest further in detection technology and bring celebrity creators on board.
Kuku is now eyeing international markets, testing its offerings in the Middle East and the U.S., with plans to scale in 2026.
Also Read: Google’s $15 Billion AI Bet: Inside India’s Biggest Tech Investment Yet
Kuku’s $85 million raise underscores the growing investor confidence in India’s creator economy. With its blend of AI innovation, local-language storytelling, and creator-first approach, the platform is shaping the future of digital entertainment not only in India but soon, globally.
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