Google International has invested ₹10 crore in Rigi, an Indian startup that began by helping creators monetise online communities and has since expanded into short-form digital entertainment. The investment values Rigi at approximately ₹670 crore after the funding and gives Google a 1.43% holding in the company.
According to regulatory filings reviewed by Entrackr, Rigi’s board approved the issue of 1,543 preference shares at ₹61,796 apiece. The transaction marks Google’s entry into the startup’s shareholder base. The filing-based investment comes as Rigi broadens its business beyond tools for individual creators and builds a larger presence in India’s digital content and entertainment ecosystem.
| Investment detail | Information reported |
|---|---|
| Investor | Google International |
| Amount raised | ₹10 crore |
| Post-money valuation | Approximately ₹670 crore |
| Google’s stake | 1.43% |
| Securities issued | 1,543 preference shares |
| Issue price | ₹61,796 per share |
From creator tools to short-form entertainment
Founded in 2021 by Swapnil Saurav and Ananya Singhal, Rigi initially focused on the business needs of content creators, influencers and celebrities. Its platform allowed them to create paid communities on WhatsApp and Telegram, collect subscriptions and sell digital products. These products included online courses, webinars, workshops and one-to-one mentorship sessions.
Rigi’s business model was built around fees from transactions carried out through its services. This approach gave creators a way to develop direct relationships with their audiences and generate income beyond brand partnerships and advertising. For users, the platform’s role was therefore tied to access and payments for creator-led communities and digital offerings rather than only public social-media distribution.
The startup later expanded into digital entertainment with Rigi TV, a short-form video service offering bite-sized content, original shows and micro-dramas. Rigi TV earns revenue through advertising and in-app purchases. The move places the company in two connected segments: infrastructure for creator monetisation and a consumer-facing video platform.
Why the investment matters for Rigi
Google’s investment brings a large technology company into Rigi’s ownership structure, although the disclosed holding remains a minority stake. The funding gives Rigi additional capital as it develops its creator tools and digital entertainment business in India. The company’s filings, as reported by Entrackr, identify the transaction as a fresh issue of preference shares and put the post-money valuation at about ₹670 crore.
- Rigi has raised ₹10 crore from Google International.
- Google holds 1.43% of the startup after the allotment.
- Rigi operates across creator monetisation and short-form digital entertainment through Rigi TV.
For India’s creator economy, Rigi’s expansion reflects a shift from helping creators sell access and digital products to also operating a destination for short-form video. The company’s model combines subscriptions, creator-led commerce, advertising and in-app purchases across its products. The latest investment provides a new institutional backer while Rigi continues to develop both sides of that platform.
