Partnership · Consumer Internet & Media

Kuku FM adds MS Dhoni as investor and brand ambassador

By Startup Enthusiast · 15 April 2026

What they do

Kuku FM is an Indian audio content startup offering audiobooks, podcasts, and original shows in multiple languages

Former cricketer MS Dhoni joins as a new investor on the cap table and becomes the brand ambassador for its Kuku TV microdrama app

The company recently reported a 175% revenue surge to ₹241.5 Cr but widened its net loss due to higher advertising spends

Kuku FM has appointed former cricketer MS Dhoni as a new investor and brand ambassador.
Dhoni joins the cap table alongside existing backers like KRAFTON, Vertex Growth Fund, and IFC.
This follows a previous appointment of actor Dulquer Salmaan as brand ambassador for South India in December 2024.
The move signals a push to expand its audience base through high-profile celebrity endorsements.
Kuku FM continues to grow its content library which spans over 20,000 titles across seven languages.
The company is gearing up for a potential public listing after raising significant capital previously.
It aims to convert into a public entity, a required first step for going public in India.

Celebrity investors often help startups gain visibility and trust among mass audiences in India.
Microdramas are a rapidly growing segment in the Indian digital entertainment landscape.
The company is balancing growth investments with plans for an initial public offering (IPO).

Kuku FM is a homegrown audio content startup founded in 2018.
It offers audiobooks, podcasts, and original shows across multiple languages including Hindi and English.
The suite of apps includes Kuku TV for microdramas, Kuku FM for audio, and Guru for edutainment.
The company launched Kuku TV last year to enter the competitive microdrama segment.
It has also ventured into theatrical releases for some of its popular content.
Content categories include finance, well-being, and drama targeting diverse listener interests.
The platform boasts over 35 crore installs across various mobile platforms globally.
Several of its shows have crossed 10 crore views, indicating strong user engagement.
It serves a community of over 1 crore listeners and creators worldwide.

The company is preparing for a potential public listing in the near future.
Reports from late 2025 indicate it appointed Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Bank, and Morgan Stanley as bankers for a proposed $200 Mn IPO.
It must first convert into a public entity before it can proceed with the IPO process in India.

MS Dhoni (new investor) — Former Indian cricket captain and global sports icon.
KRAFTON (existing backer) — South Korean video game publisher known for PUBG Mobile.
Vertex Growth Fund (existing backer) — Investment firm focused on growth-stage technology companies.
IFC (existing backer) — International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
Paramark Ventures (existing backer) — Venture capital firm investing in early and growth-stage startups.
Tribe Capital India (existing backer) — Investment firm focusing on consumer and technology sectors in India.
Bitkraft Ventures (existing backer) — Global gaming and esports investment firm.
Granite Asia (Series C lead) — Investment firm leading the $85 Mn Series C round raised last October.

Product: operates vernacular audio platform
Customers: Vernacular language users seeking audio stories, microdramas, and educational content
How it makes money: Multi-platform content provider monetizing through subscriptions and advertising