Indian storytelling platform Pratilipi raises $20 million to expand into new storytelling formats

Indian storytelling platform Pratilipi has announced that it has raised $20 million in a Series E funding round led by Jungle Ventures, a Singapore-based venture capital firm. The round includes $12 million in primary investment and $8 million in secondary investment.

The company said the funding will support its expansion into new storytelling formats—most notably animation and vertical drama—and lay the groundwork for its entry into international markets.

Pratilipi's offerings

Founded in 2015, Pratilipi began as a self-publishing platform that allowed writers to upload stories in Indian languages, quickly gaining traction among users in smaller cities and towns. It has since evolved into one of India's most widely used platforms for regional storytelling, with products that span literature, comics, podcasts, and audiobooks.

The company currently operates across 12 Indian languages and boasts more than 12 million monthly active users. It also owns and operates Pratilipi FM, Pratilipi Comics, Westland Books, and IVM Podcasts. Pratilipi stories are licensed by ecosystem partners for various other formats, including OTT shows, TV shows and movies.

Growth expansion

"At Pratilipi, our mission has always been to empower storytellers and connect them with audiences worldwide," said Ranjeet Pratap Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Pratilipi.

"This funding reflects the scale of that vision—it enables us to push beyond text into dynamic formats like anima on and vertical dramas while accelerating our global expansion. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on creating a platform where every storyteller, regardless of language or medium, can find their voice and reach millions."

Pratilipi said its core online literature business is now profitable and cash flow positive, and that its audio vertical, Pratilipi FM, has begun to scale, fueled by increased consumption among mobile-first and younger audiences. 

The company has also expanded its content offering across publishing and audio formats through the acquisitions of publishing house Westland Books and the Indian multilingual podcast network IVM Podcasts.

Arpit Beri, Partner, India Investments, Jungle Ventures, said, “We've been closely tracking social and content platforms across the region that demonstrate deep consumer love. 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." 

Pratilipi expects this to be its final primary funding round ahead of a potential public listing.