📝 Kuku raises $85M

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Kuku, the Indian storytelling platform backed by Google, has raised $85 million in Series C funding led by Granite Asia, doubling its valuation to $500 million as it aims to expand its audio and video content offerings in India’s booming digital entertainment market. Founded in 2018, Kuku operates both Kuku FM (audiobooks and podcasts) and Kuku TV (mobile-first serialized video dramas). Together, they surpass 10 million paid subscribers, up from two million last year, with 80% from non-metro cities. The company’s GenAI-powered content studio supports its 10,000 creators, automating tasks like translation and script generation, while maintaining manual production for quality control. Despite ongoing copyright disputes with rival Pocket FM, Kuku’s traction is undeniable: 134 million downloads in 2025, over $4 million in consumer spending, and rapid growth fueled by India’s low data costs and surging digital consumption. With new funding, Kuku plans to expand internationally, enhance AI infrastructure, and collaborate with celebrities to elevate its storytelling brand, betting that regional, multilingual content will define the next wave of entertainment in India and beyond.

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