Koo
Koo was an Indian microblogging and social media platform, similar to Twitter. It was owned by a company called Bombinate Technologies, based in Bangalore. The app was co-founded by two Indian entrepreneurs, Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka.
| Type of business | Private |
|---|---|
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Founded | 14 November 2019 |
| Dissolved | 3 July 2024 |
| Country of origin | India |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Owner | Koo Corporation Pvt Ltd |
| Founder(s) |
|
| Key people | Aprameya Radhakrishna (CEO) |
| Industry | |
| Employees | 200 (September 2021)[1] |
| Website | kooapp.com |
| Advertising | Yes |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Users | 60 million (November 2022) |
| Launched | 2020 |
| Current status | Defunct |
| Native client(s) on | iOS, Android, Web |
Koo was launched in early 2020 and quickly gained attention. It became more popular after winning the Indian government's Atmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge, a contest that picked the best apps from about 7,000 entries across India. The app was part of efforts to promote local, made-in-India digital platforms.[2][3][4][5]
As of November 2022, the company was valued at over $275 million.[6] Investors in Bombinate Technologies include Tiger Global Management, Blume Ventures, Kalaari Capital and Accel, and former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai's 3one4 Capital.[7]
References
- ↑ "Koo to raise headcount to 500 in next 1 year". Business Line. 12 September 2021. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/koo-to-raise-headcount-to-500-in-next-1-year/article36411947.ece. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ↑ "Chingari, YourQuote and Koo are the winners of the Aatmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge" (in en). Indulge Express. 31 August 2020. https://www.indulgexpress.com/gadgets/2020/aug/31/chingari-yourquote-and-koo-are-the-winners-of-the-aatmanirbhar-app-innovation-challenge-27791.html. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ↑ "Will double headcount; lot of headroom for growing user base: Koo" (in en-IN). The Hindu. 9 May 2021. . https://www.thehindu.com/business/will-double-headcount-says-koo/article34519400.ece. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ↑ "Indian entrepreneurs back Koo app as Chinese investor exits". The Economic Times. 12 February 2021. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/indian-entrepreneurs-back-koo-app-even-as-chinese-investor-exits/articleshow/80851086.cms. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ↑ Pratap, Ketan (10 February 2021). Desi microblogging platform Koo will have to cover a lot of ground to be Twitter alternative. https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/talking-points/story/desi-microblogging-platform-koo-will-have-to-cover-a-lot-of-ground-to-be-twitter-alternative-1767717-2021-02-10. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ↑ Ashrafi, Md Salman (23 November 2022). "Exclusive: Koo raises over $6 Mn led by Tiger Global". Entrackr. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ↑ "Twitter under fire, Koo announces $30 million fundraise: why it's significant" (in en). The Indian Express. 26 May 2021. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/koo-app-fundraise-tiger-global-twitter-social-media-it-rules-7330989/. Retrieved 17 March 2023.