With hyper-local content in many regional languages, Stage is a regional OTT (over-the-top) platform meant to serve India’s varied linguistic demographic. Its main goal is to close a notable void in the content industry by providing entertainment that appeals to particular linguistic and ethnic groups. Emphasizing regional storytelling, the portal provides local shows catered to particular states and dialects together with dramas and comedy. Aiming to transform how local viewers consume digital content, Stage’s founders landed an investment deal in Shark Tank India Season 2, Episode 3, therefore highlighting its potential to dominate the under-served regional entertainment category.
Company Name: Stage
Founder: Vinay Singhal
Idea: Vernacular OTT Platform
Product: Vernacular OTT Platform
Highlights
1. Focus: Hyper-local material in regional languages catered to the many linguistic populations of India.
2. Content: Regional language and dialect dramas, comedies, and shows.
3. Focusses just on regional and cultural narrative for local audiences, therefore defining a unique selling point (USP).
4. Viewers looking for entertainment in their native tongues and dialects constitute the target audience.
5. Market Opportunity: Leverages India’s under-served regional entertainment scene..
6. Future Vision: Make digital entertainment relevant and accessible to every Indian state and linguistic group hence transforming it.
Pitch Details
Ask: ₹3 crore for 1% equity (Valuation: ₹300 crores).
Deal: After negotiations Namita Thapar, Peyush Bansal and Aman Gupta. finished the deal at ₹ 1.5 Crore for 0.6% Equity and ₹ 1.5 Crore debt @12% interest
Investors: The investment came from Namita Thapar, Peyush Bansal and Aman Gupta.
Conclusion:
With Stage in Shark Tank India Season 2, the deal represented a calculated investment in a viable regional OTT platform. Seeking 1% share, the founders demanded ₹3 crores, so valuing the business at ₹300 crores. Offering ₹1.5 crores for 0.6% equity together with ₹1.5 crores in debt at a 12% interest rate, the sharks saw the possibility of Stage to access India’s under-served regional content industry. Working with Namita Thapar, Peyush Bansal and Aman Gupta gives Stage the funding it needs to scale and confirm its place in the fast expanding local digital content market.
