🚀 Medial Secures Investment on Shark Tank India - Fueling the Future of Professional Social Networking. 🔥
✕
Login
Home
News
Messages
Startup Showcase
Trackers
Premium
Premium Content
Jobs
Notifications
Settings
Try our Valuation Calculator →
Log In
News on Medial
Koo co-founder Mayank Bidawatka finalizes pre-seed for new startup
Entrackr
·
10m ago
Medial
Mayank Bidawatka, co-founder of the vernacular microblogging platform Koo, is set to launch his new venture, Billion Hearts Software Technologies, in the coming months. Mayank Bidawatka is also planning to raise nearly $500,000 to establish the startup’s operations. The board at Billion Hearts has passed a resolution to raise Rs 4.13 crore, according to its regulatory filing accessed from the Registrar of Companies (RoC). The company has already issued 39 pre-seed compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) to raise Rs 1.94 crore from the company’s founders in proportion to their capital. The documents do not explicitly mention the names of the investors but state that the shares will be issued to the existing shareholders. Founder Mayank Bidawatka and director Ankita Gandhi are the only two equity holders in the company, mentions the document. According to TheKredible’s estimates, if the round concludes, the company will be valued at Rs 70.5 crore or $8.5 million. The Bengaluru-based company also disclosed that it is creating an employee stock option plan (ESOP Plan) of 333 equity shares worth Rs 16.5 crore As per Billion Hearts, it will build consumer products for global users. Vernacular microblogging platform Koo shut down its operations in July this year amid no traction and follow-up investment. The company was also looking for a merger and acquisition deal but failed to find a buyer.
View Source
Related News
Mayank Bidawatka, who built India’s Twitter rival Koo, raises $4M for his new startup Billion Hearts
Financial Express
·
8m ago
Medial
Mayank Bidawatka, co-founder of Koo, has raised $4M in seed funding for his new venture, Billion Hearts Software Technologies. Led by Blume Ventures with support from General Catalyst and others, the startup focuses on a global 'digital consumer product' using deep tech. A beta launch is planned soon. Billion Hearts emphasizes team ESOPs and strategic investor alignment.
View Source
Koo cofounder Mayank Bidawatka announces new venture Billion Hearts Software
Economic Times
·
10m ago
Medial
Mayank Bidawatka, the co-founder of Koo, a microblogging platform that recently shut down, has announced his new venture called Billion Hearts Software Technologies. The startup aims to build consumer products for global users and has already secured angel funding from notable consumer tech startup founders in India. While Koo faced challenges in finding a potential sale or merger, Bidawatka is optimistic about his new venture and plans to launch it in the coming months. In a similar vein, Ayyappan R, former CEO of Cleartrip, is reportedly in talks with Accel and RTP Global for seed funding for his quick-commerce retail venture.
View Source
Koo seeks fresh funds, might get acquired
Economic Times
·
1y ago
Medial
Microblogging startup Koo's co-founder, Mayank Bidawatka, stated that the next phase for the company involves building scale, either through funding or a strategic partnership with a player that already has it. Bidawatka believes that partnering with a company that has a strong distribution network will provide Koo with a massive user base and help it grow. He also mentioned that Koo had to shift its focus from rapid growth to proving unit economics due to market conditions. The company aims to cater to native language speakers worldwide and believes that a language-first platform is essential for inclusive microblogging.
View Source
Koo says in talks for strategic partnership as Dailyhunt eyes acquisition
Economic Times
·
1y ago
Medial
Indian microblogging platform Koo is reportedly in talks with multiple partners for a strategic partnership. Speculation arose after media reports suggested that VerSe Innovation, the parent company of media startup Dailyhunt, was in advanced discussions to acquire Koo. The potential deal is said to involve a share-swap agreement and could be finalized within weeks. Koo's co-founder Mayank Bidawatka confirmed the discussions on LinkedIn, expressing the company's commitment to its stakeholders and promising to share more details when available. The potential partnership aims to help Koo challenge global competitors and enhance its scale.
View Source
Koo, once touted as India’s Twitter alternative, shuts down after sale talks fail | Mint
Livemint
·
1y ago
Medial
Indian social media platform Koo, once hailed as a potential competitor to Twitter, has shut down after failing to secure any buyers. The startup had approached media companies and internet firms for acquisition, but talks proved unsuccessful. Co-founder Mayank Bidawatka cited concerns from potential buyers about user-generated content and the costs of running a social media platform. Koo had reached a peak of 2.1 million daily active users and had attracted support from prominent politicians. However, the platform struggled to monetise, leading to a cash crunch. Koo reported a loss of INR 197 crore ($26.5 million) for 2021-22.
View Source
Koo Cofounder Mayank Bidawatka Hints At Floating Consumer Tech Venture
Inc42
·
1y ago
Medial
Bidawatka, the founder of the shutdown social media platform Koo, has teased a new consumer tech idea that he has been passionate about for years. While he has not revealed details about the concept, he believes it has a significant market potential. Bidawatka has assembled a team of seven members to work on this new project. This announcement follows the recent closure of his startup, Koo, as talks for its acquisition fell through.
View Source
Billion Hearts raises $4 Mn in new round
Entrackr
·
8m ago
Medial
Mayank Bidawatka, co-founder of the vernacular microblogging platform Koo, has raised $4 million for his new consumer tech startup, Billion Hearts, in a funding round led by early-stage venture capital firm Blume Ventures. The round also saw participation from General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners. The startup had closed a ~$250K pre-seed round from the founders of redBus, Ola, InMobi, and Myntra, among others in September this year. The proceeds will be used to build a global team and enhance its technology, emphasizing that the team will remain small since it is focused on creating a tech-driven product. It also plans to expand its team to 15 by early next year. The startup is currently accepting sign-ups. The first product is slated to launch its beta in early next year for a select few users. The app will be available on both Android and iPhone devices. Vernacular microblogging platform Koo shut down its operations in July this year amid no traction and follow-up investment. The company was also looking for a merger and acquisition deal but failed to find a buyer.
View Source
Koo founder Mayank Bidawatka’s venture raises $250K in angel round, to be backed by 13 angel investors
Economic Times
·
10m ago
Medial
Mayank Bidawatka, co-founder of microblogging platform Koo, is launching a new venture called Billion Hearts Software Technologies. He has raised $250,000 in an angel round from 13 investors, including founders of redBus, Ola, InMobi, Myntra, and former CTO of Flipkart. The company is developing a consumer application that aims to address a multibillion-dollar market opportunity globally. The beta version of the product is expected to be launched between December 2021 and January 2022. The team comprises experts in backend, Android, iOS, and machine learning, and they are currently working remotely.
View Source
Koo cofounder Mayank Bidawatka raises $4 million for new consumer tech startup Billion Hearts
Economic Times
·
8m ago
Medial
Mayank Bidawatka, the founder of Indian microblogging platform Koo, has raised $4 million in funding for his new consumer tech startup, Billion Hearts. The funding round was led by Blume Ventures and also saw participation from General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners. The company plans to use the funds to build a global team and enhance its technology. Billion Hearts aims to create digital consumer products that address underserved needs and problems worldwide. The first product is set to have a beta launch next year for select users on Android and iPhone devices.
View Source
KOO Shuts Down.
TechCrunch
·
1y ago
Medial
Indian social media platform Koo is shutting down after acquisition talks with Dailyhunt fell through. Despite securing over $60 million in funding from investors like Tiger Global and Accel, Koo struggled to expand its user base and generate revenue. Founders Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka cited the prolonged funding winter and challenges with partnerships as reasons for the closure.
View Source
Trackers
Active Indian VC’s
OG Capital
Email
With a hands-on approach, OG Capital aims to invest in over 20 promising...
Accel Partners
Email
Early and growth-stage investments in disruptive technology companies with...
Blume
Email
Early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology startups in India. Focus on...
Access All Trackers
Startup Showcase Winners
June 2025
Buddy
Helping your parents when you are miles away
BiteStop
The Pit Stop Your Cravings Deserve
Bloomer
The next generation E-commerce platform
Enter Ongoing Startup Showcase
Top Users
Trending News on Medial
Download the medial app to read full posts, comements and news.
Go to Medial App
Not Now
Know everything that’s happening in the startup ecosystem, first.
Enable Notifications?
No, thanks
Count me in