Kuku Raises $85 Million in Series C Round Led by Granite Asia to Expand Audio-Video Content Ecosystem

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 1,950 Views

Indian storytelling platform Kuku has secured $85 million in a Series C funding round led by Granite Asia (formerly GGV Capital), doubling its valuation to $500 million. The funds will fuel content expansion, creator partnerships, and platform innovation as Kuku scales its audio and video offerings across India’s mobile-first market.

Kuku, a fast-growing Indian audio and video storytelling platform, has raised $85 million in Series C funding, with Granite Asia (formerly GGV Capital) leading the round. The investment underscores growing investor confidence in India’s vernacular content economy and positions Kuku to scale aggressively in a competitive digital media landscape.

Major Takeaways:

Funding Round Details: The Series C round includes both primary capital infusion and secondary share sales, with early investors such as Google partially exiting. The round values Kuku at approximately $500 million, more than double its previous valuation.

Investor Participation: Alongside Granite Asia, the round saw participation from Vertex Growth Fund, Krafton, IFC, Paramark, Tribe Capital India, and Bitkraft, reflecting a diverse mix of global and regional backers.

Use of Proceeds: Kuku plans to use the funds to expand its content library, grow its creator base, and enhance platform technology, particularly in AI-driven personalization and regional language support.

Platform Growth: Founded in 2018 by Lal Chand Bisu, Vikas Goyal, and Vinod Kumar Meena, Kuku has emerged as a leading platform for audio books, podcasts, and short-form video content, targeting India’s non-English-speaking population.

Strategic Vision: The company aims to deepen its presence across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where demand for regional content is surging. It also plans to explore subscription models and ad-based monetization to diversify revenue streams.

Market Context: India’s digital content market is witnessing intense competition, with players like Pocket FM, Audible, and Spotify investing heavily in vernacular and creator-led formats. Kuku’s differentiated focus on storytelling and community engagement gives it a strategic edge.

Notable Updates:

Kuku has now raised a total of $156 million, including a $25 million Series C tranche in 2023 led by IFC and Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum Partnership.
The platform is backed by a strong tech stack and is exploring international expansion, starting with South Asian diaspora markets.
With fresh capital and a clear growth roadmap, Kuku is poised to redefine how India consumes and creates audio-visual stories in its native languages.

Sources: TechCrunch, Entrackr, Medial

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