html

Way2News Secures $14 Million in Series B Funding

Hyderabad-based hyperlocal news platform Way2News has announced securing USD 14 million in a Series B funding round, led by WestBridge Capital and supported by venture capitalist Sashi Reddi. This funding follows a USD 16.75 million Series A round achieved in June 2022.

Expanding Reach in South India

The latest funding will empower Way2News to strengthen its presence in South India, notably enhancing its operational scale, technology, and market reach. This will enable the platform to further penetrate the regional news landscape, particularly in the Tamil and Telugu markets.

Focus on Inclusive and Engaging News Experience

Raju Vanapala, Founder and CEO of Way2News, expressed the company's ambition to reach every household in South India, ensuring that all citizens have access to timely and relevant news in their language. This reflects the platform's commitment to creating an inclusive, dynamic, and engaging news experience for every Indian.

• The platform provides short, engaging news stories from trusted sources in local languages.
• Way2News utilizes an AI-driven and human-curated model to cater to user preferences, delivering real-time news in eight languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati.

Strong User Base and Growth in Tamil Market

Way2News boasts over 50 million downloads and has made significant strides in transforming the regional news landscape in India. Its impact is particularly prominent in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, where it has achieved substantial penetration and user engagement, particularly in the Telugu and Tamil markets.

• The platform's success in the Tamil market underscores its effectiveness in meeting the needs of a diverse audience seeking localized news.

WestBridge Capital's Support for Way2News' Vision

Rishit Desai, Partner at WestBridge, highlighted Way2News' remarkable progress in democratizing access to local news across South India, effectively addressing a crucial gap in the market. He emphasized the platform's rapid growth in the Telugu and Tamil markets as a testament to its vision and model's strength.

• WestBridge Capital is optimistic about Way2News' future, believing its unique approach will enable significant inroads in the South Indian market.

Way2News' Impact on Regional News Landscape

• Way2News' commitment to providing localized and relevant news has resonated strongly with South Indian audiences.
• The platform's focus on the Tamil language, alongside other regional languages, has contributed significantly to its success.
• This funding further solidifies Way2News' position as a leading player in the South Indian regional news landscape.