War
CONTEUDO:
Kuku, the Indian audio storytelling platform, has successfully raised $85 million in a new funding round to accelerate its expansion and content production. The capital injection comes as the startup intensifies its battle for dominance in the mobile content market against local rival Pocket FM.
Strategic Growth and Content Expansion
Kuku plans to utilize these funds to significantly bolster its content library by onboarding high-profile celebrities, including prominent figures from the film and television industries. Beyond content acquisition, the startup aims to scale its workforce of 150 employees, with a focus on hiring top-tier talent in technology and content development.
The company is also setting its sights on international growth. Currently testing its offerings in the Middle East and the United States, Kuku has outlined a roadmap to scale its operations in the U.S. market by 2026.
Legal Battles and Intellectual Property
The funding announcement arrives against a backdrop of ongoing legal tension. Pocket FM has repeatedly challenged Kuku through multiple copyright infringement lawsuits. In a recent development, the Delhi High Court restrained Kuku from releasing new episodes of five disputed shows.
Kuku’s leadership views these legal maneuvers as tactical distractions timed to coincide with fundraising efforts. To mitigate future risks, the startup is committing a portion of the new capital to enhance its proprietary technology. This includes upgrading tools designed to detect third-party copyrighted material, alongside maintaining a dedicated team that manually reviews all uploads.
Market Dynamics: Kuku vs. Pocket FM
Data from Appfigures highlights the distinct performance trajectories of the two rivals. While Kuku leads in total downloads, Pocket FM demonstrates superior monetization efficiency. Notably, 98% of Pocket FM’s revenue is generated outside of India, despite the country accounting for 82% of its downloads.
The market landscape shifted in 2025: while Kuku saw growth in downloads and consumer spending, Pocket FM experienced a 21% year-over-year decline in total downloads to 38 million. However, Pocket FM countered this with a 61% surge in consumer spending, reaching $100 million. This divergence underscores the high-stakes environment as both platforms pivot toward AI-driven infrastructure and aggressive global scaling.