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Lokal Reviews

Bengaluru, Karnataka

4.0/ 5

1 review

Lokal, legally incorporated as Behtar Technology Private Limited, is a prominent Indian vernacular hyperlocal platform dedicated to bridging the digital divide for non-English speakers across India. Founded in May 2018 by IIT alumni Jani Pasha (who serves as CEO) and Vipul Chaudhary (CTO), the company is headquartered in the technology hub of Bengaluru, Karnataka. The concept initially originated from a simple WhatsApp group established in February 2018 in Kodad, Telangana, to test user interest in regional language content. Following immense engagement, the official Android application was launched later that year to offer a unified platform for underserved tier-2 and tier-3 cities and rural districts. Operating as a multifaceted digital product developer, Lokal delivers a wide range of location-specific services. Beyond serving as a regional news source, the platform acts as a comprehensive hyperlocal classifieds marketplace. Users utilize the application for local job listings, real estate, matrimony, and daily commodity prices, alongside essential information like local government schemes, weather updates, and contact directories for administrative and healthcare professionals. A distinctive feature of the company is its extensive network of ground-level citizen reporters, supported by an in-house digital training program that enables individuals in remote villages to monetize content creation. The platform has established a vast operational footprint, reaching over 45 million downloads. It provides content across multiple regional languages—including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, and Gujarati—and serves more than 180 districts, 600 towns, and 1,400 villages. To further scale its ecosystem and monetize its massive audience, Lokal has collaborated with global and domestic brands, such as Amazon, Swiggy, Axis Bank, and Kotak Bank, to assist them in penetrating rural Indian markets. Financially, Lokal is a Series B stage startup that has raised approximately $31.8 million in funding across multiple rounds. The company's prominent backers include Y Combinator, 3one4 Capital, India Quotient, Tencent, Sony Innovation Fund, Global Brain, and several prominent angel investors. The company completed an INR 120 crore Series B funding round in April 2023. Operationally, the platform's parent entity reported annual revenues in the range of ₹50 to ₹100 crore as of March 2025. The company's workforce has continuously scaled to support its expanding app portfolio and growing user base, employing over 1,100 people by mid-2026. For its pioneering efforts in regional digital media, Lokal has earned notable industry recognition, including being featured on Forbes Asia’s "100 to Watch" list.