With a strong presence already established in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, this funding will fuel Way2News’ growth and further strengthen its presence across South India
Hyderabad, India, 17th September 2024: Way2News, India’s leading hyperlocal news platform, has raised $14 million in a Series B funding round led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from renowned venture capitalist Sashi Reddi. This fresh infusion of capital, which follows the company’s Series A round two years ago, will drive Way2News’ dominating presence in South India.
Founded in 2015 by Raju Vanapala, Way2News is committed to making every Indian an informed citizen by delivering reliable and relevant hyperlocal news. With over 50 million downloads, the platform is transforming the regional news landscape in India. It offers short, engaging news stories from trusted sources in local languages, leveraging its AI-powered, human-enhanced news delivery model to cater to user preferences. With technology, Way2News ensures that communities have daily access to the news that matters most, bridging the information gap in villages and mandals with timely, easily accessible content that empowers them.
Way2News has rapidly established itself as a dominant player in the news space, particularly in the Telugu and Tamil markets, achieving deep penetration and strong user engagement across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. With this latest fund infusion, the company is set to build on this growth and focus on scaling its operations, enhancing its technology, and further bolstering its presence in the South Indian market. This strategic move aligns with the platform’s broader goal of deepening its hyperlocal presence across the region, to reach people even at grassroots levels.
Raju Vanapala, Founder and CEO of Way2News, said, “Way2News is dedicated to delivering news that truly matters to language communities. We are thrilled to have a partner like WestBridge Capital, whose continued belief in our vision has been instrumental in supporting our growth. This investment is a step towards expanding our footprint into every household in South India, ensuring that all citizens can access timely and relevant news in their language. We focus on building an inclusive, dynamic, and engaging news experience for every Indian. With this funding, we aim to scale our platform further, bringing more communities into the fold.”
Since its inception, Way2News has revolutionized how news is consumed in the regional markets by tailoring short-format content to meet the needs of local language audiences. The platform’s success in the Telugu and Tamil regions is a testament to its unique approach and user-centric strategy. The new funds will be deployed to enhance the platform’s capabilities, aiming further to boost user experience and engagement in new markets while cementing its leadership in the South Indian news ecosystem.
Rishit Desai, Partner at WestBrigde, said, “ Over the last few years, Way2News has made remarkable strides in democratizing access to local news across South India, effectively addressing a crucial gap in the market. Their rapid growth in the Telugu and Tamil markets is a testament to their vision and the strength of their model. We are excited to support their expansion across South India. We look forward to continuing our support for their vision to become the go-to platform for news, and we believe their unique approach will enable them to make significant inroads down south.”
