Pocket FM, founded in 2018 by Rohan Nayak, Prateek Dixit, and Nishanth Srinivas, is a Bengaluru-headquartered audio-series and storytelling platform serving hundreds of millions of users globally. Leveraging AI-driven content generation and personalization, Pocket FM offers podcasts, audio stories, and interactive series in multiple languages. Since launch, the company has rapidly scaled its user base through strong engagement features and partnerships with publishers and studios. Pocket FM’s technology focuses on content cost optimization, recommendation algorithms, and seamless distribution across mobile and web apps. Supported by investors like Lightspeed, Verlinvest, and others, Pocket FM has evolved from early-stage losses into a high-growth business, achieving significant revenue milestones while narrowing losses.
Founding year | 2018 |
---|---|
Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
Valuation (USD) | $75,00,00,000 (Mar 20, 2024) |
Total Funding (USD) | $196657771 |
Employees | 926 |
Annual Revenue (USD) | 3,16,59,730 (Mar 31, 2024) |
Annual Net Profit (USD) | -18,96,646 (Mar 31, 2024) |
Annual EBITDA (USD) | 1,12,591 (Mar 31, 2024) |
Round | Date | Amount | Valuation | Investors |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | Feb 2019 | $0.65M (approx.) | Not disclosed | Angel Investors |
Series A | Oct 2020 | $5.6M | Not disclosed | Tencent, Lightspeed, etc. |
Series B | Dec 2021 | $22.4M | Not disclosed | Lightspeed India Partners, Tanglin Venture Partners, Times Group |
Series C | Mar 2022 | $65M | $390M valuation | Goodwater Capital, Naver, Tanglin Venture Partners |
Series D | Mar 2024 | $103M | $750M valuation | Lightspeed Ventures, Stepstone Group, Tencent, Times Internet, Goodwater Capital, Tanglin Venture Partners |
Pocket FM’s revenue grew from approximately ₹17 Cr in FY22 (net loss ~₹172 Cr) to ₹176.36 Cr in FY23 (net loss ~₹209 Cr), and surged to ₹1,051.97 Cr in FY24 with a narrower loss of ~₹165 Cr. This reflects a steep growth trajectory driven by AI-enabled content models, diversification into new markets, and monetization via subscriptions, microtransactions, and advertising.
Pocket FM improved operating efficiency by leveraging AI for content generation, reducing content costs significantly. While exact EBITDA margins are not publicly disclosed, narrowing net losses (down 21% in FY24) indicate improving leverage as revenue scales.
Pocket FM’s headcount grew alongside scale: from under 1,000 employees in FY22 to ~1,200 in FY23 and ~1,500 in FY24 (approx.), supporting technology, content, and operations functions. Future hiring will focus on AI/ML research, content production, localization, and global expansion teams to sustain growth while balancing cost efficiency.
In FY24, Pocket FM crossed ₹1,051.97 Cr in global revenue with losses narrowing by 21% to ~₹165 Cr. In FY25, the parent reported ~₹1,768 Cr revenue (68% YoY growth) with ongoing investments in AI-generated content driving cost efficiencies.
Metric | Details |
---|---|
Employees | Under ~1,000 in FY22 → ~1,200 in FY23 → ~1,500 in FY24 – scaling teams for AI, content, operations with cost-efficiency focus. |
Revenue | ₹17 Cr → ₹176.36 Cr (↑~938%) → ₹1,051.97 Cr (↑~496%) – rapid audio platform growth. |
PAT (Net Loss) | Loss ~₹172 Cr → ~₹209 Cr → ~₹165 Cr – losses widened in early scaling then narrowed in FY24. |
EBITDA Margin | Not publicly disclosed; implied improvement as losses narrow and revenue scales. |
Valuation & Funding | Not available per spreadsheet; backed by Lightspeed, Verlinvest, others. |
IPO Status | Not yet public; likely to consider listing or strategic exit once sustainable growth and margins are proven. |
Expansion Focus | AI-driven content, international markets, partnerships, new monetization features. |
Latest News | FY24 revenue ₹1,051.97 Cr with losses narrowing; FY25 revenue ₹1,768 Cr; AI content efficiencies; global expansion focus. |
Pocket FM’s transformation into a high-growth audio-series platform demonstrates strong traction: scaling revenue from ₹17 Cr to over ₹1,000 Cr in two years while narrowing losses, driven by AI and global expansion. Continued focus on content innovation, operational efficiency, and diversified monetization should position the company for sustainable profitability and potential listing in the coming years.
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