News Technology

Lokal Expands Portfolio with Dostt, Eaze, and Gyan TV; Plans 40 More Apps

Lokal, the hyperlocal social media platform, is making an aggressive push into new digital categories with the launch of Dostt, a privacy-focused voice and video calling app. This move signals the company’s broader strategy to diversify beyond local news, with plans to roll out 40 more apps across different sectors in the coming year.

Lokal’s Growing App Ecosystem

The launch of Dostt is just the beginning. Designed for one-on-one conversations, the app prioritizes user anonymity while ensuring verified profiles and secure interactions. Conversations on topics like relationships, career, and personal growth are at the core of its appeal, particularly for users in the 18-45 age bracket who prefer native language communication.

In addition to Dostt, Lokal has also rolled out two other apps:

  • Eaze, an emotional wellness platform aimed at users seeking mental health support.
  • Gyan TV, an educational platform that offers skill-based courses covering stock trading, photography, and more.

With these releases, Lokal is positioning itself as a multi-category player rather than just a local news provider.

social media platform launch

Competition Heats Up in the Social App Space

Lokal isn’t stepping into an empty field. Its latest offerings put it head-to-head with competitors like ShareChat, which recently introduced Vibely, and platforms like Alyke, FRND, and Clarity. Additionally, EloElo, backed by WaterBridge and Kalaari Capital, has gained traction in the space.

The real battle lies in monetization. While the core social media advertising business faces hurdles, standalone apps provide fresh revenue streams. For Lokal, this shift seems to be less about innovation and more about keeping pace with industry trends at a relatively low cost.

Expanding Beyond News and Social Media

Lokal’s vision extends far beyond Dostt, Eaze, and Gyan TV. The company’s co-founder, Jani Pasha, revealed an ambitious roadmap, stating, “We are expanding our app portfolio into multiple categories and plan to launch 40 new apps in 2024, covering astrology, emotional wellness, matrimony, and legal services.”

This strategy aligns with the increasing demand for niche digital services in India, where vernacular audiences are looking for content and platforms tailored to their interests. The approach also taps into the success of platforms like Dailyhunt’s PublicVibe and InShorts’ Public app, both of which have built strong regional user bases.

Financial Performance and Investor Backing

Founded in 2018 by Jani Pasha and Vipul Chaudhary, Lokal has raised approximately $30 million from investors such as Tencent, 3one4 Capital, Y Combinator, RB Investments, and India Quotient. The company has primarily focused on delivering location-based news, allowing users to download videos, set WhatsApp statuses, and stay updated on employment, real estate, and commodity prices.

Financially, Lokal showed slight improvement for the fiscal year ending March 2024. The company reported an operating revenue increase to Rs 18.58 crore while successfully reducing losses by 36%.

Can Dostt Make a Difference?

While the concept of Dostt is appealing, its real impact remains uncertain. The market for anonymous social and communication apps is highly competitive and notoriously difficult to monetize. ShareChat’s Moj, which aimed to capitalize on the short video trend, has faced challenges, and platforms like FRND and Clarity are still fighting for a solid user base.

Lokal’s broader strategy of launching 40 apps in various categories may provide multiple revenue streams, but the success of each app will depend on user adoption and engagement. For now, Dostt is an interesting experiment, but whether it becomes a significant revenue driver remains to be seen.

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