Google backs India's Rigi with $1.07M at $71.7M valuation
What's the deal? Creator economy startup Rigi has raised US$1.36M in late-stage venture funding from Google, according to regulatory filings reviewed by Entrackr. The company's board approved an allotment of 1,543 preference shares at US$839.2 each, with the deal valuing Rigi at roughly US$91M post-money.
What's the endgame? Founded in 2021 by Swapnil Saurav and Ananya Singhal, Rigi helps creators, influencers, and celebrities earn from their online following. Its platform lets them build paid communities on WhatsApp and Telegram, manage subscriptions, and sell digital products such as courses and one-to-one mentorship, earning through transaction fees.
The startup has since moved into digital entertainment with Rigi TV, a short-form video platform featuring original shows and micro-dramas monetised through ads and in-app purchases.
Why now? The investment marks Google's entry into Rigi's shareholder base, giving it a 1.43% stake as the startup expands in digital content and entertainment. It also ends a multi-year gap in disclosed fundraising: Rigi last raised about US$13.6M (roughly $12.3 million) in a January 2023 round led by Elevation CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with Accel, Stellaris Venture PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Sequoia Capital also participating.
By the numbers: In the year ended March 2025, Rigi reported revenue of US$2.71M and a net loss of US$2.78M. It has yet to file its FY26 results.
The signal: A direct cheque from Google — however small — hands Rigi a strategic backer with deep reach across the web, video, and India's creator market. For a startup betting on monetising short-form content and paid communities, that alignment may matter more than the headline amount.
Read more: entrackr.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
