Eloelo, a Bengaluru-based live social entertainment platform, has successfully raised $13.5 million in Series B funding. This funding round marks a significant milestone for the company, which has grown rapidly by building a highly engaging and creator-centric social ecosystem in India. The funding round saw strong participation from Play Ventures as the lead investor, with continued support from earlier backers like Kalaari Capital, MIXI Investments, Gameskraft Technologies, Griffin Gaming Partners, Waterbridge Ventures, Courtside Ventures, and Rocket Capital.
This new capital injection reflects growing investor confidence in Eloelo’s bold and ambitious approach to social entertainment, especially at a time when Indian users are shifting from passive content consumption to active participation in live and interactive digital communities.
Redefining Social Entertainment in India
Eloelo has been building what it calls the “Digital Third Place” for Bharat—the term referring to the non-metro, regional-language audience in India. The platform blends live video and audio streaming, games, micro-payments, and creator tools into a vibrant ecosystem where creators engage audiences in real-time.
The founders understood early that Indian internet users crave interactive, culturally resonant, and community-driven digital experiences. Instead of offering yet another passive video app, Eloelo focused on creating a space where people can join live rooms, play games with others, chat, and send virtual gifts to creators in real time.
Unlike global platforms that prioritize English and metro-centric content, Eloelo supports eight Indian languages and actively invests in tools that help creators build and grow localized communities. The company’s emphasis on multilingual support helped it reach deep into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where digital content consumption continues to surge.
Strategy Behind the Funding
Eloelo will use the Series B funding to strengthen three core areas: generative AI (GenAI) capabilities, expansion into Indian diaspora markets abroad, and scaling monetization.
1. GenAI Integration
Eloelo’s next phase of product innovation centers on GenAI-driven creator tools. The company has started developing features that enable creators to automate content workflows, personalize audience experiences, and enhance livestream engagement with AI-powered filters, avatars, and recommendation engines.
By integrating GenAI into the core platform, Eloelo aims to give creators more power, efficiency, and creative freedom while reducing their content fatigue.
2. Global Expansion
The team has already begun planning its international push by targeting countries with large Indian diaspora populations. Eloelo will tailor its platform to cultural nuances in markets like the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
The company will also localize its product to meet the preferences of these international users while preserving the platform’s original values: authenticity, community engagement, and interactivity.
3. Scaling Monetization
Eloelo started monetizing its platform in May 2024 and has already achieved a $23 million annual revenue run rate. Over 1.5 million users pay for premium experiences, such as in-room gifting, VIP access to creators, and exclusive gaming content.
The company will now focus on increasing this figure to $60 million by the end of 2025. Eloelo plans to expand its creator monetization tools, refine its micro-payment system, and introduce tiered subscription offerings. These monetization features will help more creators earn sustainable incomes from their work.
A Platform for the Creator Economy
Eloelo has already built a robust creator economy. Over 20,000 creators currently earn livelihoods through live streaming and community building on the platform. These creators include influencers, entertainers, musicians, educators, and comedians who host interactive sessions and games for their followers.
Eloelo encourages creators to express themselves freely, engage with their communities in their native language, and earn from their content through a transparent and supportive system.
By offering tools like real-time moderation, performance analytics, and integrated tipping, Eloelo gives creators all the ingredients they need to grow successful digital careers.
Eloelo’s Differentiators in a Crowded Market
India’s social entertainment landscape remains fiercely competitive. Other platforms like Sharechat, Moj, and Lokal operate in the same space, targeting regional audiences. However, Eloelo stands apart by offering a gamified live interaction model, rather than short-form video or passive livestreams.
Eloelo positions itself as a digital playground for creators and audiences alike. Users do not just watch content—they interact, participate, play, chat, and gift. This deeper engagement creates a sense of community and belonging, which most social media platforms struggle to achieve.
Another crucial differentiator lies in Eloelo’s non-advertising-based business model. The platform earns revenue directly from users through micro-payments, subscriptions, and gifting, bypassing the over-reliance on advertising that many digital platforms face.
This strategy not only makes the company more sustainable but also aligns its incentives closely with those of its creators and users.
India’s Shift from Attention Economy to Participation Economy
Eloelo reflects a broader trend in India’s digital landscape. Users no longer want to scroll passively through content feeds. They want to participate, engage, and form real-time connections. Eloelo recognized this shift early and designed its platform to support interactive, community-led experiences.
Founder and CEO Saurabh Pandey described this evolution as a move from an ad-first model to a participation economy, where people pay for meaningful digital interactions rather than tolerating intrusive ads.
The company focuses on building real value for users and creators through authentic interactions, rather than maximizing time spent or ad views.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the momentum, Eloelo must overcome several challenges. Scaling GenAI capabilities requires serious R&D investment and talent acquisition. The company must ensure that AI integrations respect user privacy and do not lead to biased or impersonal recommendations.
Expanding globally also brings complexities. Eloelo must adapt its brand and product to local regulatory environments and content consumption patterns across regions. Each new market demands cultural sensitivity, tailored features, and new community-building strategies.
Furthermore, competition from global giants like TikTok, YouTube Live, and Twitch remains intense. Eloelo must keep innovating while staying true to its core vision.
The Future of Eloelo
Eloelo plans to continue investing in creator-first features, AI-enhanced tools, and global growth. Its vision goes beyond entertainment. The company wants to create a safe, inclusive, and dynamic space where every user—no matter their language, background, or geography—can find connection, fun, and expression.
By empowering creators, focusing on real engagement, and monetizing meaningfully, Eloelo has built a model that many startups can learn from. The team has shown that regional content, live interaction, and gamification—when combined thoughtfully—can build not just an app, but a movement.
With a $13.5 million boost and ambitious growth plans, Eloelo now stands at the forefront of a new era in Indian social tech—one where the audience doesn’t just watch; it participates, engages, and builds together.