Chai Bisket Raises $5M for Chai Shots, a Mobile-First OTT Platform for Regional Short-Form Stories
Chai Bisket, a regional digital content startup, has raised $5 million in seed funding. The company, known for its Telugu-language digital media presence with over two billion views, is set to launch Chai Shots, a mobile-first over-the-top (OTT) platform for short-form fictional storytelling.
The funding round includes participation from Info Edge Ventures, General Catalyst, and prominent angel investors across tech and entertainment sectors. Chai Shots promises over 100 original shows within its first six months, each with narratives rooted in emotional storytelling and regional identity. The platform aims to capitalize on the popularity of 'microdramas', two-minute episodic narratives tailored for Gen Z audiences and users in India's smaller cities.
Krishna Mohan Varma joins as a cofounder to lead the platform's technology strategy. He will work alongside the existing team of over 100, who support the startup's claim of attracting more than 50 million monthly video views. Chai Shots will initially launch in Telugu and later expand to include original programming in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
With the $5 million seed funding, Chai Bisket's Chai Shots is poised to make a significant impact in the short-form fictional storytelling space. The platform's focus on regional identity and emotional narratives, coupled with its targeted approach to Gen Z audiences, sets it apart in the competitive OTT landscape.
