Indian storytelling platform Pratilipi has raised $20 million in its Series E funding round, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey. Jungle Ventures, a Singapore-based venture capital firm, led the round with a $12 million primary investment and an $8 million secondary investment. This fresh infusion of capital positions Pratilipi to expand its content offerings and accelerate its push into international markets.
Founded in 2015, Pratilipi began as a self-publishing platform catering to Indian-language writers. Over the years, the company has evolved into a multi-format storytelling powerhouse. With its sights now set on animation and vertical drama, Pratilipi aims to transform how audiences engage with regional narratives—both in India and abroad.
Reinventing Storytelling for the Digital Age
Pratilipi started with a simple yet powerful mission: to democratize storytelling for Indian creators. It allowed writers from small towns and rural areas to share their stories online in their native languages. That inclusive vision caught fire. Today, Pratilipi supports storytelling in 12 Indian languages and connects over 12 million monthly active users to a diverse library of literature, comics, audiobooks, and podcasts.
The platform has grown well beyond its origins in text-based storytelling. It now operates several content arms including Pratilipi FM (audio stories and podcasts), Pratilipi Comics, Westland Books (a traditional publishing house), and IVM Podcasts (India’s leading podcast network). This multi-format approach ensures users can experience stories in their preferred formats, whether they enjoy reading, listening, or watching.
Strategic Use of New Capital
CEO and Co-Founder Ranjeet Pratap Singh outlined the company’s plans for the newly raised funds. “At Pratilipi, our mission has always been to empower storytellers and connect them with audiences worldwide,” Singh said. “This funding reflects the scale of that vision—it enables us to push beyond text into dynamic formats like animation and vertical dramas while accelerating our global expansion.”
Singh and his team intend to channel the $12 million primary investment into two major initiatives: expanding content formats and building an international footprint. Pratilipi will heavily invest in animation and vertical drama, a short-form video format designed for mobile screens. These new storytelling avenues will allow creators to reach younger, mobile-first audiences who prefer visual and snackable content.
The remaining $8 million in secondary investment will help streamline internal operations and strengthen partnerships with creators and media companies.
Strong Metrics and Profitable Core Business
Unlike many startups in the content space, Pratilipi has reached profitability in its core online literature segment. The company now operates its flagship product with positive cash flow, showcasing the strength and scalability of its foundational model.
Pratilipi FM, the company’s audio storytelling wing, has also witnessed rapid growth. With increasing smartphone penetration and affordable mobile data, younger users are consuming more audio content than ever before. Pratilipi FM leverages this trend by offering immersive storytelling experiences in regional languages, keeping users engaged for hours each day.
Through smart content acquisition strategies, Pratilipi has deepened its value proposition. The purchase of Westland Books, a well-respected publishing house, has strengthened its grip on the traditional publishing sector. Meanwhile, the acquisition of IVM Podcasts has cemented its position in the audio market by giving it access to premium content and a loyal listener base.
Jungle Ventures’ Vote of Confidence
Arpit Beri, Partner of India Investments at Jungle Ventures, expressed strong confidence in Pratilipi’s future. “We’ve been closely tracking social and content platforms across the region that demonstrate deep consumer love,” Beri said. “With over 2 hours of daily engagement per user and a rapidly growing user base, Pratilipi has cracked the code to building something truly rare, with massive potential both in India and globally.”
Beri’s statement highlights a key differentiator for Pratilipi: deep user engagement. While many platforms chase vanity metrics, Pratilipi focuses on meaningful interaction. Its average user spends over two hours per day on the platform, browsing stories, listening to podcasts, or reading comics. This high level of stickiness shows that the platform delivers real value to its community.
Preparing for Global Expansion
With its foundation solid in India, Pratilipi now wants to replicate its success globally. The company plans to enter new markets where demand for diverse, regional storytelling remains untapped. Regions in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa—where mobile internet usage continues to soar—could serve as ideal expansion targets.
To win in these markets, Pratilipi will localize its content strategies while maintaining the flexibility to adapt across cultures. The team will also explore co-productions with international studios and cross-platform distribution deals to bring Indian stories to global audiences.
Vertical drama, one of Pratilipi’s new focus areas, offers a perfect format for this expansion. Already popular in China and South Korea, vertical dramas play out in short episodes optimized for mobile viewing. By merging compelling narratives with fast-paced visual storytelling, Pratilipi can tap into new demographics and unlock additional monetization channels.
The Road to IPO
With its business model maturing and new verticals gaining traction, Pratilipi now approaches the final stages of its private funding journey. Singh confirmed that the Series E round will likely serve as the company’s last major capital raise before exploring a public listing.
Pratilipi’s clean unit economics, diverse content portfolio, and strong community base position it as an attractive candidate for the public markets. A successful IPO would not only validate its business model but also pave the way for future investments in Indian language content and creator economies.
Why Pratilipi Stands Out
Pratilipi’s strength lies in its grassroots approach. It doesn’t rely on top-down programming or big-name influencers. Instead, it nurtures a creator-first ecosystem where everyday storytellers can rise to fame and success.
Its platform architecture supports content discovery, community feedback, and monetization—all key ingredients for creator retention. With consistent investment in AI-based recommendation engines, Pratilipi ensures that the right stories reach the right readers at the right time.
Moreover, the company stays true to its vision: to make storytelling accessible, inclusive, and rewarding. Whether a user lives in a metropolitan city or a small village, Pratilipi provides a platform where their stories matter.
Final Thoughts
Pratilipi’s $20 million Series E funding round marks a significant leap forward in its evolution from a regional text platform to a full-fledged storytelling ecosystem. With new capital in hand, the company will double down on animation, vertical dramas, and international growth.
Backed by Jungle Ventures and powered by a loyal user base, Pratilipi now stands at the cusp of global influence. It aims to reshape how the world consumes stories from India—across formats, across languages, and across borders.