Video Streaming Platform Dekkho Raises $1.2 Mn Seed Funding

Video streaming platform, Dekkho, has raised $1.2 Mn Seed funding from seven angel investors.

Founded by Tanay Desai and Vinay Pillai in March 2016, Dekkho offers a viewing experience that is reportedly uncluttered and curated, has high-quality content sourced from leading content providers from India and abroad. The streaming is free, consumes less Internet bandwidth and has an offline viewing facility.

Vinay Pillai, co-founder, Dekkho said, “Content producers will eventually have to rely on a third-party aggregator with stronger technology expertise. With a strong focus on young Indian viewers and their entertainment requirements, Dekkho will be the perfect platform for content developers to deliver their content to their target audiences. Through our team’s extensive global OTT experience, we understand the pulse of a young, Indian, viewing audience. This makes us confident that we will soon become the default destination for all online video-based Indian entertainment content across Android, iOS, and web platforms.”

According to a company statement, Dekkho currently has over 12,000 hours of programming, which is made available by partnering directly with top digital channels such as Sony Music, Being Indian, Zee Music, Blush, Miss Malini, Times Group, ScoopWhoop, AIB, East India Comedy and Culture Machine. Content from national and international artists is also available on the platform, as is regional content in six Indian languages.

Dekkho claimed to reach out to 2 Mn social media users on a monthly basis, prior to launch. Strategic partnerships with brands such as Paytm, Mobikwik, Lava, LeEco, and Micromax have allowed Dekkho to extend its entertainment content to users in its partner ecosystems. The long-term vision is to create a video streaming culture through adaptive transcoding and subsidised data tariffs with multiple telecom service providers over the next five years.

By 2019, video is expected to grow to 74% of all Internet traffic in India. Digital media product consumption in this segment is currently pegged at $1.2 Bn and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33.5% to reach $3.9 Bn by 2020 in India.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced the launch of its Prime Video service in India. Other players in this segment include Hooq, Hotstar, Ogle, Big Flix, Eros Now, Ditto TV, Muvi, and Spuul.