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Stage, a regional language-focused over-the-top (OTT) platform, has raised $12.5 million in its Series B funding round led by Good Water and Blume Ventures.
The round also saw participation from existing and prominent angel investors, including Harsh Shah (co-founder of Fynd), Aayush Phumbra (founder of Chegg) Physis Capital, Mumbai Angels, The Chennai Angels, Venture Catalysts and IPV.
The company plans to use the fresh funds to share more stories, reach more people, celebrate different cultures and respect every cultural identity.
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Vinay Singhal, CEO & Co-Founder of STAGE, said, “This funding isn’t just about capital — it’s a resounding validation of India’s regional cultures. For too long, dialects like Haryanvi or Bhojpuri have been seen as a liability. We’re proving otherwise. When Gen-Z users rediscover their cultural identity through constructive storytelling on STAGE, it fosters pride not stigma. This is the revolution we’re building silently.”
Harsh Mani Tripathi, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder, said: “Our growth isn’t accidental. Every subscriber who joins STAGE isn’t just a user — they’re custodians of their culture.”
Dr Ritesh Malik, Board Member of STAGE and Founder of Innov8 & Palaksha University, said, "STAGE is rewriting India’s entertainment landscape. By amplifying underrepresented voices, empowering local creators, and making regional dialects aspirational, STAGE is not just shaping content—it’s shaping culture.”
About STAGE
Founded in 2019 by Vinay Singhal, Shashank Vaishnav, and Parveen Singhal, STAGE is a hyper-local OTT platform that offers trending, entertaining, and informative content in multiple languages and dialects, including Haryanvi and Rajasthani.
The company says it has 20 million users, with over 4.4 million paying subscribers.
With Bhojpuri content now available, STAGE plans to expand into new cultures while strengthening its presence in existing ones in 2025-26.
For FY24 (ending March 2024), STAGE’s revenue grew six times to Rs 17.9 crore, while its losses fell 4% to Rs 22.1 crore.
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