India’s Twitter-like yellow bird app, Koo has shut down

Koo, India's homegrown microblogging sensation often touted as a rival to X (formerly Twitter), is shutting down after a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful journey.

Co-founders Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka recently announced on LinkedIn that despite their best efforts, the platform couldn't secure the necessary partnerships and funding to sustain operations.

Launched in 2020, Koo quickly gained attention for its multilingual support and became a haven for over 10 million active users, including a roster of 9000+ celebrities. It also initially garnered significant funding, totalling over $60 million from investors like Tiger Global and Accel, and even expanded operations to Brazil.

Indian micro-blogging platform Koo raises $6.3 million co-led by Tiger Global and Accel Partners

Koo, a Twitter competitor in India has secured $6.3 million in a new funding round co-led by Tiger Global and Accel Partners, according to Entrackr. * Co-founded by Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka in 2020, Koo is a multi-lingual microblogging platform that allows users to interact via text, audio, and

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However, running a social media platform, especially one aiming to compete with global giants, proved financially daunting as it hit a funding winter and struggled to get funding in the last few years.

Amid the challenges to further raise funding, the company implemented a job cut of around 30% of its workforce in 2023 citing the current market environment.

In February 2024, Koo reportedly was in talks to be acquired by news aggregator Dailyhunt, however negotiations fell through. It has eventually shut services, leaving millions of its users in India stranded.

Indian microblogging site Koo lays off 30% of its staff

Koo, an Indian microblogging site often touted as a rival to Twitter, has laid off around 30% of its workforce over the past year, according to a statement from the company. The layoffs were made in response to what Koo calls a “global slowdown” and the current market environment. The

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The founders expressed their disappointment, noting that Koo was on the brink of surpassing Twitter in India in 2022, showcasing its potential impact. They highlighted the challenges of navigating a prolonged funding crunch, which hampered their growth ambitions.

Despite its closure, the founders hinted at potentially repurposing Koo's assets for a broader digital public good, aiming to contribute positively to India's social media landscape.

As platforms evolve and consolidate, the lessons from Koo's experience will likely influence future ventures seeking to carve out niches in the global digital sphere.