Google has made its first investment in micro-drama platform Rigi, committing Rs 10 crore through Google International. The deal reportedly values the startup at around Rs 670 crore post-money and adds the tech giant to Rigi’s list of investors, marking a notable vote of confidence in short-form entertainment. For a startup founded in 2021, the backing arrives within five years.
The funding was raised through the issuance of 1,543 preference shares, each priced at Rs 61,796, according to reports. After the allotment, Google International holds a 1.43% stake in the company, giving it a minority position in the startup and a place among its investors.
Founded in 2021 by Swapnil Saurav and Ananya Singhal, Rigi began as a creator monetisation platform, helping creators, influencers and celebrities earn from their digital audiences. It offered tools to build paid, subscription-based communities on WhatsApp and Telegram, and enabled them to sell online courses, webinars, workshops and one-on-one mentorship sessions. These services formed the core of the business before its move into entertainment.
The company has since broadened its scope beyond creator tools into short-form entertainment through Rigi TV. Welcoming Google into its shareholder base, co-founder Singhal said in a social media post that the team is excited to keep expanding its presence in short-form entertainment. The investment gives that pivot a high-profile backer as Rigi builds on its shift from creator services to entertainment.
