🚀 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
🔥 15 people are talking about this
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
16
Related News
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
Recreating what already exists won't get us there: Ola CEO on Koo
Inshorts
·
1y ago
Medial
As Koo shut down operations, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal expressed sadness over it. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Aggarwal wrote, "Sad to see what happened with Koo. We need Indian social platforms but recreating what already exists won't get us there." Koo shut down after acquisition talks with Dailyhunt failed.
View Source
Koo founders on why the social media app is shutting down
Economic Times
·
1y ago
Medial
Indian social media app Koo, once considered a competitor to Twitter, is shutting down due to failed partnership talks, according to founder Aprameya Radhakrishna. Despite exploring partnerships with larger internet companies and media houses, they were unable to reach the desired outcome. Koo aimed to bridge the language gap in social media, especially in India where many platforms are English dominant. At its peak, Koo had millions of daily and monthly active users but struggled to secure long-term funding. The team behind Koo expressed gratitude to those who supported them and mentioned the possibility of sharing their assets or transforming them into a digital public good.
View Source
Edtech startup Bluelearn shuts operations, to return 70% of capital
Entrackr
·
1y ago
Medial
Social learning platform Bluelearn on Sunday announced that it has shut down its operations as the firm found it tough to grow fast. The three-year-old firm will return 70% of the capital it raised to its investors. The Bengaluru-based startup had raised nearly $4 million across two rounds from Elevation Capital, Lightspeed, Titan Capital, 2am VC. Angel investors including Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, Awais Ahmed, Vivek Mohan and others also backed the community driven platform. “We realised that building a venture-scale business with Bluelearn was tough. We had been very conservative with capital, allowing us to return 70% of the capital we raised back to investors,” Bluelearn’s co-founder and CEO Harish Uthayakumar said on X. Founded by Uthayakumar and Shreyans Sancheti, Bluelearn started off as a telegram channel for students to help each other with common questions. At its peak, the startup claimed to have over 250,000 members from various colleges and startups across India and abroad. Since its inception, the company has helped thousands of students with internships, jobs and make friends through its online community. More than half a dozen startups operating in India shut down their operations in 2024 so far. The list counts Resso (India), Rario, OKX (India), Muvin, GoldPe, Koo and Nintee. However, a few of them have also announced to return a significant capital to their investors. For context, Paras Chopra-led digital health startup Nintee, which shut down its operations in April, said that it will return a majority of the capital raised from its investors. Similarly, trading app Investmint will return 25% of capital as it underwent insolvency proceedings. As per a media report, fashion startups Fashinza and Virgo will also return capital to their investors after a failed pivot. As per data compiled by TheKredible, more than 15 startups ceased their operations due to funding crunch and other challenges in 2023.
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
Peak XV-Backed Toplyne Shuts Operations
Inc42
·
9m ago
Medial
- Toplyne, a SaaS startup, is shutting down its operations due to inability to scale and find product-market fit. - The company's co-founder and CEO, Rishen Kapoor, announced the decision to shut down. - Toplyne plans to return capital to its investors, including Peak XV Partners and Tiger Global. - The startup, founded in 2021, offered an AI-powered platform to assist product-led companies in converting free users into paid ones.
View Source
Exclusive: Koo Halts Salary Payments Amid ‘Talks With Strategic Partners’
Inc42
·
1y ago
Medial
Indian microblogging app Koo has reportedly stopped paying salaries to its employees due to financial constraints. Multiple employees had raised concerns about the halted salaries, and the company confirmed the development. Koo stated that it is in talks with strategic partners and has invested personal funds to meet past salaries. The company aims to continue paying salaries after securing a partnership that includes fresh capital infusion. Koo has experienced a significant reduction in headcount since 2022 and is looking to establish a sustainable revenue model. Reports suggest that Dailyhunt is in talks for a potential acquisition of Koo.
View Source
Exclusive: Flipkart shuts down ANS Commerce
Entrackr
·
4m ago
Medial
url: https://entrackr.com/exclusive/exclusive-flipkart-shuts-down-ans-commerce-8765612 Content: Flipkart has decided to shut down ANS Commerce, its full-stack e-commerce enabler, three years after acquiring the Gurugram-based company, sources familiar with the matter told Entrackr. "Flipkart has decided to shut down ANS Commerce and has also laid off several employees associated with it," said a source familiar with the matter, requesting anonymity. Confirming the development to Entrackr, a Flipkart spokesperson said, “'After careful consideration, ANS Commerce, a full-stack e-commerce enabler that was acquired by Flipkart in 2022, has decided to close its operations. As we wind down operations, we stay committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all stakeholders, including employees and customers.” “To minimize the impact on employees during this transition, we plan to offer internal opportunities at Flipkart, outplacement services, and severance packages,’ the spokesperson added. Founded by Amit Monga, Vibhor Sahare, Sushant Puri, and Nakul Singh, ANS Commerce is a full-stack e-commerce enabler offering services such as store tech, performance marketing, marketplace management, e-commerce warehousing, and fulfillment. It collaborates with over 100 brands, including Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, HUL, Piramal, Lakme, Nivea, Oziva, CEAT, and Bikanervala. The firm raised $2.2 million in its pre-Series A round, led by Gokul Rajaram and Venture Catalysts in October 2021. According to sources, ANS Commerce was acquired in a deal worth Rs 250-300 crore ($35-40 million) three years ago. During FY24, ANS Commerce recorded a 39.4% increase in operating revenue to Rs 54 crore, compared to Rs 39 crore in FY23. However, the company's net loss widened by 27.1% to Rs 73.8 crore in FY24 from Rs 57.8 crore in the previous year.
View Source
How Tiger Global-Backed Koo Lost Its X-Factor
Inc42
·
1y ago
Medial
Indian microblogging platform Koo, once touted as a potential rival to Twitter, is now facing numerous challenges. The startup's active user base has dropped by 62% in the past nine months, and it has struggled to find a sustainable revenue model. Koo has also experienced layoffs, with its workforce decreasing from around 400 employees in 2022 to just 60 now. Speculation suggests that Koo may be acquired by VerSe Innovation, the parent company of Dailyhunt and Josh. However, experts question the viability of the acquisition and whether it can turn Koo's fortunes around.
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
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