When we discuss India’s startup ecosystem, we typically think of fintech, SaaS, e-commerce, and D2C.
Very few people talk about audio.
And that’s why the rise of Kuku FM is a special story.
Kuku FM was created with one simple idea:
“Can we make learning and storytelling accessible for every Indian?”
The founders noticed that millions of Indians wanted to learn, improve themselves, and get inspired —
but books were expensive, long, and time-consuming.
Podcasts were scattered.
Audiobooks were premium.
So they built a platform with simple Hindi-Marathi content , short episodes, and relatable topics.
Slowly, the audience grew.
The market was not obvious.
Investors were not sure.
But Kuku FM kept shipping, kept improving.
And today, the startup has raised:
? $156 Mn across seven funding rounds
For an Indian audio-first company, this is huge.
Even more interesting is the FY24 numbers:
Revenue doubled YoY to ₹88 Cr
Loss reduced by 18% to ₹96 Cr
Yes, they are still loss-making.
But the direction is what matters —
better content, better user retention, better monetisation.
FY25 numbers are not out yet, but expectations are high.
While big platforms chase music, English audiobooks, or mass podcasts…
Kuku FM focused on Bharat-first audio :
Self-help
Business
Motivation
Personal finance
Life stories
Vernacular content
This is why their community is loyal.
Because they listen to content that feels “for them, by them.”
Kuku FM’s journey shows that:
Not every startup needs to be glamorous
Not every founder needs to chase hyped industries
Simple content can build a big business
Bharat’s audience is real, and it pays when it sees value
Audio might look small today,
but with smartphones + long commutes + cheap data,
The future of audio in India looks big.
And Kuku FM is one of the companies leading the way in that future.
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