Pratilipi, an Indian digital storytelling platform headquartered in Bengaluru, has made significant strides in the content industry, particularly in promoting Indian languages and stories. On April 2, 2025, the company announced a $20 million Series E funding round led by Jungle Ventures, a Singapore-based venture capital firm known for investing in early- to growth-stage startups in India and Southeast Asia. This funding marks a pivotal moment for Pratilipi as it aims to expand into the US and innovate with new storytelling formats.
Pratilipi, founded in 2014 by Ranjeet Pratap Singh and others, is a platform that connects readers and writers to share stories, poems, essays, and articles in 12 Indian languages and English. It has grown to over 350,000 writers and 28 million monthly active readers, with a strong presence in both urban and rural areas. Approximately 45% of its story consumption comes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, highlighting its appeal across diverse audiences.
Beyond text, Pratilipi offers comics through Pratilipi Comics, audiobooks, and podcasts via Pratilipi FM, making it a multifaceted content platform. Financially, Pratilipi reported revenue of Rs 86 crore in FY25, a 50% jump from Rs 58 crore in FY24, though it still faces losses of Rs 33-34 crore in FY25, narrowed from Rs 58 crore in FY24. This growth underscores its strong domestic base, setting the stage for international expansion.
Funding Details
The $20 million Series E funding round, announced on April 2, 2025, was led by Jungle Ventures. The round comprises $12 million in primary investment for issuing new shares and $8 million in secondary deals, allowing some investors to exit. The primary investment involved two individual investors, including Ravish Naresh from fintech startup Khatabook and Arnav Kumar from edtech platform Leap, with no institutional participation. The secondary transaction saw Chinese investors Qiming Venture Partners and Shunwei Capital sell their stakes, with Qiming offloading 75-80% and Shunwei exiting completely. This round values Pratilipi at $100 million, a significant drop from its previous $265 million valuation in 2021, when PUBG maker Krafton led a $48 million round. This valuation adjustment reflects market dynamics but does not detract from the company’s growth potential, as the funds will fuel innovation and expansion.
To provide a clearer picture, here is a table summarizing the funding details:
| Category | Details |
| Funding Amount | $20 million (Series E) |
| Lead Investor | Jungle Ventures (Jungle Ventures) |
| Primary Investment | $12 million, including participation from Ravish Naresh and Arnav Kumar |
| Secondary Investment | $8 million, with exits by Qiming Venture Partners (75-80% sold) and Shunwei Capital (full exit) |
| Post-Money Valuation | $100 million |
| Previous Valuation | $265 million (2021, led by Krafton) |
This funding round is seen as the last private financing before potential IPO discussions, with banker consultations planned for the second half of 2025, influenced by US market growth.
Expansion Plans
Pratilipi’s expansion strategy focuses on entering the US market and developing new storytelling formats. The company aims to make at least 20% of its revenue from the US in the next fiscal year, with a long-term goal of half its revenue coming from overseas in three to four years. Currently, only 6-7% of its revenue comes from abroad, mainly from Indian residents and NRIs, indicating significant growth potential. To achieve this, Pratilipi will test its existing English content and create new, licensed content tailored for the US audience. It plans to replicate its India model, which is a fully user-generated content platform with literature, comics, and audio, and will test marketing and monetization strategies before scaling up.
A key part of the expansion involves innovating new formats. Pratilipi will launch animation and vertical drama shows, with episodes as short as 30-120 seconds, offering 60-100 episodes compared to traditional 10 episodes of 20 minutes each. This approach, dubbed “micro-episodes,” will be cost-effective, thanks to AI innovations that can reduce production costs by up to 90%. This cost reduction is particularly significant for competing in the US market, where production costs can be high. The company’s focus on AI-driven content creation is an unexpected detail, highlighting its technological edge and potential to disrupt traditional content production.
| Aspect | Details |
| Target Market | US, with plans to scale based on testing |
| Revenue Goal (Next FY) | At least 20% from the US, potentially 50% in 3-4 years |
| Current Overseas Revenue | 6-7%, mainly from Indian residents/NRIs abroad (e.g., US) |
| New Formats | Animation, vertical drama (100 two-minute episodes vs. 10 episodes of 20 minutes each) |
| AI Innovation Impact | Can reduce costs for animation and short drama by 90% |
| Content Strategy | Test existing English content, create new/licensed content, focus on UGC model |
Pratilipi’s $20 million funding round, led by Jungle Ventures on April 2, 2025, marks a significant step toward international growth. With a strong domestic base and ambitious plans for the US, Pratilipi is poised to become a global player in digital content. The company’s focus on AI-driven innovation, such as cost-effective animation and vertical drama, adds a layer of competitiveness. As Pratilipi expands, it will continue to connect readers and writers, bringing diverse Indian stories to life on a global stage. This move benefits the company and promotes cultural exchange, creating opportunities for creators worldwide.
