Stage is a pioneering OTT platform that offers entertainment content in local dialects, connecting users with diverse regional cultures across India. Launched in 2019 by Vinay Singhal, Shashank Vaishnav, and Parveen Singhal, Stage is the first OTT service globally focused on hyperlocal content.
Before Stage, Vinay Singhal co-founded WittyFeed, a viral content website that achieved 420 million page views and 2.5 billion ad impressions in just two years. WittyFeed, launched in 2014, faced challenges, including a shutdown of its Facebook page in 2018, leading Vinay and his team to rebrand the platform as Stage OTT in 2019.
Stage OTT faced significant hurdles, being rejected 500 times for initial investment. However, in March 2021, the company secured its first investment of ₹3.5 crore from Inflection Point Ventures, and by May 2022, it had raised a total of ₹30.75 crore.
On Shark Tank India Season 2 Episode 3, Stage OTT sought ₹3 crores for 1% equity at a ₹300 crore valuation. The platform showcases a wide array of original content, including comedy, folk, poetry, storytelling, and motivational material, all presented in various Indian dialects such as Haryanavi, Rajasthani, Bhojpuri, and Konkani.
Stage OTT offers both free and subscription-based VIP content. The mobile app has been downloaded by over 1 million users on the Play Store and features more than 50 web series, 20 movies, and over 100 shows in local dialects.
| Company Name | Stage OTT – local dialects |
| Founder | Vinay Singhal, Shashank Vaishnav and Parveen Singhal |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Business | World’s first OTT platform in local dialects |
| Asked For | ₹3 Crores for a 1% equity |
| Final Deal | ₹1.5 crores for 0.6% equity + ₹1.5 Crores Debt @ 18% intrest |
| Shark | Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar and Peyush Bansal |
| Episode (Shark Tank India) | S2 E3 |
| Air Date | Jan 4, 2023 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | Visit Now |
| Headquarters | Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | ₹50 Crores *estimated |
| Go To Amazon | Buy Now |
| Watch On | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank India Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Stage?
The co-founders of Stage OTT are Vinay Singhal, Shashank Vaishnav, and Parveen Singhal. The business was officially launched in 2019.
Vinay Singhal
Vinay is the co-founder and CEO of Stage OTT. He also founded the organization Badlega Bharat in 2010. Vinay earned his BTech from SRM University, Chennai.
Shashank Vaishnav
Shashank is a co-founder of Stage OTT. He is also a co-founder of Badlega Bharat, WittyFeed, and Nukkad.
Parveen Singhal
Parveen serves as the Chief Content Officer of Stage OTT. He completed his B.Sc from SRM University.
How Was The Shark Tank India Pitch Of Stage?
Vinay Singhal, Shashank Vaishnav, and Parveen Singhal pitched their OTT platform, Stage, on Shark Tank India, seeking ₹3 Crores for 1% equity. During their presentation, Parveen introduced the team in a Haryanvi style.
The platform initially focused on Haryanvi dialects, providing work to over 1,000 Haryanvi artists and creating more than 300 hours of original content in Haryanvi and Rajasthani dialects.
Currently, Stage OTT has over 1.3 lakh paid subscribers, with an annual subscription fee of ₹400. They plan to expand their content to 20+ dialects over the next five years.
Each web series, consisting of 6-8 episodes of 25-30 minutes, costs about ₹20 lakhs to produce, with similar costs for movies. Their conversion rate stands at 10%. Stage OTT raised ₹10 crore in its first round in 2020, ₹20 crore in 2021 at an ₹80 crore pre-money valuation, and ₹36 crore in the Series A round in 2022 at a ₹250 crore pre-money valuation.
Their revenue in 2021 was ₹3.85 crores, with current monthly sales of ₹25 lakhs. The customer acquisition cost is ₹270, with 10% of customers coming organically. The monthly burn rate is ₹1.1 crores.
Vineeta Singh declined to invest due to the high valuation, while Anupam Mittal felt his investment wouldn’t make a significant impact. Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, and Peyush Bansal offered ₹1.5 Crores for 0.6% equity plus ₹1.5 Crores in debt at 18% interest, at a ₹250 Crores valuation. The founders accepted this offer.
Finalize: Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, and Peyush Bansal invested ₹1.5 Crores in “Stage OTT” for 0.6% equity + ₹1.5 Crores Debt @ 18% interest rate.
Stage Shark Tank India Update
Stage OTT secured a deal on Shark Tank India, seeking investment at a ₹300 crore valuation but ultimately receiving funding at a ₹250 crore valuation.
As of January 2023, Stage OTT has raised ₹40 crores in funding led by Blume Ventures, with additional participation from NB Ventures, Dholakia Ventures, TSM Ventures, WeFounderCircle, and others. Including the investment from Shark Tank, the company has raised a total of ₹72.25 crores.
The OTT platform has garnered 70k+ followers on Instagram, with strong engagement. The founders, Vinay Singhal, Shashank Vaishnav, and Parveen Singhal, were emotional and inspired after receiving the investment, reflecting their dedication and journey.
Despite this, the business is currently operating at a loss, with a monthly burn rate of ₹1.1 crores as of September 2022. Peyush Bansal noted the challenge of achieving profitability in this sector.
We will continue to follow updates on Stage OTT and its co-founders for further developments.
What Is Stage Net Worth?
Stage OTT is valued at ₹300 crores, but it secured investment on Shark Tank India at a pre-money valuation of ₹250 crores.
The OTT video segment market in India is estimated to reach $2.87 billion by 2023, with an annual growth rate of 6.97%. Despite significant competition in this industry, Stage OTT has carved out a niche by focusing on content in Rajasthani and Haryanvi dialects.
According to a 2016 report, 70 million people speak Rajasthani, and 10 million speak Haryanvi, presenting a substantial market opportunity. Stage OTT plans to expand its content offerings to 20+ local dialects within the next five years, which could significantly enhance its growth potential in these regions.
Yes, Stage OTT is still in business as of April 2024.
