Neelayan Sikdar’s Post

Building a brand in the astrology category in India is a tough road to walk. This space is broadly divided amongst the ‘staunch believers, the’ fence sitters’ and the third set - the “disbelievers”. The staunch believers have their 𝘎𝘶𝘳𝘶𝘴, and the topic is too close to their heart to accept an app making predictions. The fence sitters, already in two minds, would also like a human interface rather than an app. The ‘disbelievers’, I would fear, may either mock it or use it as a source of entertainment to kill time. But here’s one that made it big in all ways, in spite of these challenges - Astrotalk! This brand is rightly often mentioned in conversations related to revenue and profit milestone achievements. But what really impresses me is the manner in which they have ensured their brand and content strategy perfectly aligning with the content of their performance ads. I believe Astrotalk has done three things exceptionally well: → 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 Having Puneet come forward and talk about Astrotalk was a great move. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩. Even in their performance ads, they consistently promote Puneet Gupta's POV to the audience and build an overall  𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 in the market. → 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲 Influencers and celebrities are people who are looked up to. Their lives and achievements inspire the majority. Astrotalk carefully partnered with such names who genuinely believed in astrology. This was a perfect move to 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬”. → 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Astrotalk's ads consistently show success metrics, highlighting predictions that have come true. This has been a constant key takeaway in their growth communication. So much so that the “𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬” 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 and reconsider their view on Astrology. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 “𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧”. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 “𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧” 𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? Puneet Gupta - exemplifying how to invest in and leverage brand imagery for business growth. #astrology #brand #marketing

In 2017, Puneet Gupta, who had graduated from IIT and was working in the corporate sector, faced a difficult phase in his career. Out of curiosity and desperation, he consulted an astrologer. The astrologer's predictions were surprisingly accurate, which piqued his interest in astrology despite his initial skepticism. This Is How Astrotalk founded in 2017 by Puneet Gupta. This wasn’t the first time he had entertained the idea, but a previous attempt in 2015 had led to failure, forcing him to return to corporate employment. In terms of financial performance, Astrotalk has shown remarkable progress. For the fiscal year 2024, the company reported an annual revenue of INR 650 crore, a substantial increase from INR 282 crore in FY23. This impressive growth is further highlighted by the company's profit after tax (PAT) of INR 100 crore for FY24. The company's net worth has also surged, reaching INR 1,420 crore in FY24. As of 2024, the company boasts a valuation of $300 million, reflecting its robust market position and growth trajectory. Astrotalk's business model focuses on providing astrological services directly to consumers, a strategy that has allowed it to serve over 3 crore customers. In terms of funding, Astrotalk recently completed its Series A funding round, raising $9.5 million. This round was led by Elev8 Venture Partners, bringing the total funding raised by the company to $30.3 million. This infusion of capital is expected to further fuel Astrotalk's growth and expansion plans. Puneet Gupta's journey from a skeptic to a successful entrepreneur in the astrology sector exemplifies how personal experiences can lead to innovative business ideas. Despite facing challenges, including a dip in revenue during the COVID-19 lockdown, Astrotalk's growth has been remarkable. Today, Astrotalk continues to thrive, helping millions navigate their lives with astrological guidance. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dzjc7YnT

beta tumhare hatho ki lakeerein bata rahi hai ki aage chalke kuchh bada karoge - an astrologer to me in my childhood 🙃 Not sure about that prediction but an astrology startup Astrotalk founded in 2017 by Puneet Gupta and Anmol Jain , now having 50 lakh users is making crores of revenue out of it. It's an app connecting advice-seekers with astrologers. They're also looking to expand in the mental wellness domain and expand internationally. Has raised $20 million in Series - A funding round. Many of you would be thinking that their users would be from Tier-2, Tier-3 cities but surprisingly it's exactly the opposite. Around 85% of users are from Tier-1 cities, aged between 18-35. Women users contribute to 57% of revenue and 17% revenue from outside of India. let's look at some data: - FY20: profitable - FY21: 65 cr revenue, 1 cr profit - FY22: 116 cr revenue, 11 cr profit - FY23: 282 cr revenue, 27 cr profit - Chat: 65% income, Calls: 35% income, livestream and online puja: 5% income - Astrologer count: 15,000 - New members spend: 200-500 per month - Customer repeat rate: 20% - Competitors: VAMA App , InstaAstro 60% queries are around relationships and marriage while 30% queries are on career or business. Celebrities like Anupriya Goenka, Virendra Sehwag, Ranbir kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor to name a few, are their brand promoters. As per experience of astrologers on these apps, many people come to just talk and not for astrology, as they feel lonely and need someone to talk to. In the next few years Mental wellness can be a big domain to work on. what's your thought on these astrology apps? #astrology #astrotalk

Have you ever seen an ad, that is not an ad? Recently you might have seen multiple YouTubers promoting Astrotalk but as if they are actually not promoting it. The stars seem to be aligned for Astrotalk, the leading online astrology platform in India. Founded by Puneet Gupta and later joined by Anmol Jain, Astrotalk boasts a massive over 80% market share and recently secured a significant funding round. However, their meteoric rise has been accompanied by a marketing strategy raising eyebrows. Astrotalk's Strengths: Convenience and Personalized Guidance (But Not a Magic Wand) There's no denying Astrotalk's convenience. It offers instant access to astrologers for chat and call consultations tailored to careers, relationships, finances, or general life guidance. Additionally, it democratizes Vedic astrology, making it accessible to everyone. A Marketing Blitz and Ethical Questions: Following their funding round, Astrotalk has bombarded viewers with ads. However, their unique tactic deserves scrutiny. Instead of standard product promotions, Astrotalk employs a "stealth marketing" approach. They partner with YouTubers who create seemingly genuine stories about their life struggles and how Astrotalk miraculously solved them. This strategy blurs the lines between genuine experience and paid advertisement, potentially misleading viewers about the true nature of the service. The Astrotalk Team: Innovation or Exploitation? While acknowledging Puneet Gupta's vision and the team's efforts, it's important to question Astrotalk's marketing tactics. Preying on vulnerabilities like wanting your ex back or landing a dream job raises ethical concerns. Remember, astrology offers insights, not guaranteed outcomes. Life's path is ultimately shaped by your actions and decisions. Astrotalk: A Tool for Self-Exploration, But Approach With Caution Astrotalk can be a tool for self-exploration, but critical thinking is crucial. Don't mistake astrological readings for prophecies. Use Astrotalk in conjunction with your own efforts and a healthy dose of skepticism. Have you tried Astrotalk? What problems have you faced, or how convenient have you found the app to be? #Astrotalk #VedicAstrology #Entrepreneurship #CriticalThinking #MarketingEthics

#Young #professionals and #startup #founders in #India are increasingly turning to #astrology platforms for guidance on #career challenges, #job changes, and #fundraising plans. Astrology's popularity grows despite skepticism about its #scientific basis, reflecting the need for answers amidst #uncertainty and #anxiety.

I came across some surprising data today! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the staggering amount of funding that has been pouring into 'astrology tech' startups in India over the past year. $2.3 million for InstaAstro, $20 million for Astrotalk , $1.5 million for VAMA App ... the list goes on. It's clear that investors are betting big on the spiritual and astrological tech space. But is this a sign of a thriving industry, or a sign that the Indian VC ecosystem still has a major focus on digitization? From a data perspective, it's clear that younger generations are driving the demand for astrology and spiritual services. According to a recent survey, 83% of millennials surveyed said they are either "somewhat" or a "total" believer in astrology, while only 62% of Gen Zers said the same. (Yes, this is what surprised me! As a GenZer, I haven't noticed this among my peer group.) While it's hard to say for certain, one thing is clear: the demand for spiritual and experiential services is only going to grow. And with the Indian spiritual and wellness market estimated to be worth over $1.5 billion, the potential for innovation and disruption is vast. I'm curious to know: do you think the current generation's fascination with astrology is a sign of a deeper cultural shift, or just a passing fad? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below! #AstrologyTech #SpiritualStartups #GenZ #Millennials #FaithAndTech #bengaluru

Is it okay for a CEO to spend Rs 50 crore on a birthday celebration? Not just this, he also gave 1 day free service to all. Puneet Gupta, the founder of Astrotalk! He recently celebrated astrotalk’s 7th birthday in the best way possible. Before founding AstroTalk, Puneet co-founded an IT service company called CodeYeti, But, after his co-founder left, Puneet remembered an astrologer’s prediction from years ago. Which inspired him to start Astrotalk, A platform where people can connect with astrologers for advice. In 2017, Puneet launched Astrotalk with minimal investment and no major marketing push. His strategy? 📌 Focus on building trust with users by ensuring access to verified astrologers and offering pay-per-minute consultations. Astrotalk began growing organically, This is exactly how it went: ✅ 2017: Astrotalk was launched. ✅ 6 months: The business grew through word-of-mouth with little advertising. ✅ 2023: Daily revenue reached ₹30 lakh, with a target of ₹600 crore in annual revenue. One of the smartest moves Puneet made was focusing on quality over quantity.   He built a loyal customer base, By carefully selecting astrologers and ensuring a smooth user experience. Today, Astrotalk serves more than 3 million users worldwide. The platform is on track to generate ₹600 crore in revenue this year and a projected profit of ₹100 crore. This proves that even a little spark can grow into something huge. Puneet’s idea of redefining how people connect with astrology was brilliant. So the answer to my question is: If you have it, why not spend it? hehe. Any thoughts? Comment section is free!

How Social Media is Revolutionizing the Occult World The world of astrology, numerology, and Vastu is undergoing a digital transformation. Social media platforms are no longer just for sharing cat videos and memes. They've become powerful tools for experts in the occult field to connect with a global audience and share their wisdom. Look at the impact: Astro Arun Pandit : With millions of followers on social media, he's successfully bridged the gap between traditional astrology and modern audiences. Pankit Goyal: His insightful vastu tips have resonated with a massive online following, proving the power of digital reach. Why is social media so effective for occult practitioners? Global Reach: Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok allow you to connect with people from all over the world, expanding your potential clientele. Personalized Engagement: Social media enables direct interaction with your followers, answering questions, offering personalized advice, and building trust. Content Variety: From short video clips to in-depth articles, you can create diverse content to cater to different preferences and learning styles. Data-Driven Insights: Social media analytics provide valuable data on audience demographics, engagement rates, and content performance, helping you refine your strategy. If you're an astrologer, numerologist, or Vastu consultant, it's time to embrace the power of social media. By leveraging these platforms effectively, you can not only grow your following but also make a positive impact on people's lives. Remember to: Share consistently: Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Use relevant hashtags: Increase your visibility and reach a wider audience. Engage with your followers: Respond to comments and messages promptly. Experiment with different content formats: Keep your content fresh and interesting. Track your performance: Use analytics to measure your success. By following these tips, you can harness the power of social media to elevate your occult practice and connect with a global community. #digitalmarketing #socialmedia #astrology #numerology #vastu #occult #onlinebusiness #digitaltransformation Astrotalk AstroSage AI MahaVastu

Astrotalk profit zooms 12X to Rs 100 Cr in FY24: Astrology sells like hotcakes in India, and AstroTalk has emerged as a leader in the spiritual-tech space. Similar to FY23, the Noida-based company achieved over two-fold growth in the fiscal year ending March 2024, while its profit surged nearly 12-fold during the same period. AstroTalk’s revenue from operations surged 2.3X to Rs 651.12 crore in the last fiscal year from Rs 283.32 crore in FY23, its annual financial statement filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) shows AstroTalk operates as a digital astrology consultancy platform, connecting users with professional astrologers via mobile and web apps. Its income from India spiked 2X to Rs 529.6 crore whereas revenue from overseas countries (export) jumped 4.2X to Rs 121.44 crore in FY24. Apart from operational income, the company earned an additional Rs 8 crore from interest, bringing its total revenue to Rs 659 crore in FY24. Looking at the expenses, employee benefit expenses accounted for 5.5% of the total expense and increased 28.29% year-on-year to Rs 29.61 crore in FY24. Advertising and  promotional expenses increased by 116% to Rs 162.68 crore in the last fiscal year. Importantly, legal and professional charges accounted for 60% of the total expense which increased by 103% to Rs 319 crore in FY24. Finance, Software and website maintenance were other expenses which accelerated AstroTalk’s total cost by 97.9% to Rs 531 crore in FY24. AstroTalk achieved exceptional 11.8X year-on-year growth in profit which flew to Rs 99.99 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2024. Its ROCE and EBITDA margin stood at 40.16% and 19.42%, respectively. On a unit level, the company spent Re 0.82 to earn a rupee of operating revenue in  the last fiscal year. Astro and spiritual tech startups attracted substantial funding despite various challenges. According to data from TheKredible, startups in this sector—such as AstroTalk, Vama, Ustav App, DevDham, InstaAstro, and Melooha—have collectively raised close to $60 million in the past 15 months. Puneet Gupta-led AstroTalk alone scooped up $34 million across two rounds this year.  #startupnews #startups

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼: Astrotalk's 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗯 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 $𝟮𝟬𝟬𝗠 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #AstroTalk, the spiritual #tech #startup, is a fascinating case study in blending ancient practices with modern technology to create a thriving business. 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸’𝘀 #𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Founded in 2017 by Puneet Gupta, AstroTalk has tapped into India’s rich astrological tradition to offer personalized consultations via chat and calls. #𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: The platform generates revenue primarily through consultation fees, with users paying for real-time interactions with astrologers. #𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: In FY23, AstroTalk reported a revenue of 𝗥𝘀 𝟮𝟴𝟯 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲, a significant increase from the previous fiscal year. #𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁: The net profit for the same period was 𝗥𝘀 𝟴.𝟱 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲. #𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: As of February 2024, the company was valued at $𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻, and it’s aiming for a valuation of $𝟮𝟱𝟬-𝟮𝟴𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 in its ongoing funding round. #𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Monthly, the platform facilitates over 𝟯 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 consultation sessions. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: Initially focused on North India, AstroTalk is now expanding to southern markets to broaden its user base. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: The company’s revenue grew 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝘀 𝟭𝟭𝟱 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗬𝟮𝟮 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝘀 𝟮𝟴𝟯 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗬𝟮𝟯 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: February 2024 Funding: 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 $𝟮𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 $𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Current Funding Round: 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 $𝟯𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 $𝟮𝟱𝟬-𝟮𝟴𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: Services Offered: Horoscope, job, career, marriage predictions, counseling, mental health, tarot, psychic, zodiac readings. 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Over 𝟭𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 on the platform. 𝗡𝗥𝗜 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: Approximately Rs 100 crore revenue comes from non-resident Indians. 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Revenue Target: Aiming for Rs 600 crore revenue in FY24. IPO Plans: Setting sights on an IPO with a target revenue of Rs 2,000 crore before 2025-26. AstroTalk’s success story is a testament to the potential of digital platforms in traditional sectors. By leveraging technology, AstroTalk has made astrology accessible to a wider audience, while also creating a profitable business model that has attracted significant investment interest. What are your thoughts on the fusion of technology and astrology in today’s business landscape? Share your views in the comments below!” #businessgrowth #financemilestones #entrepreneurjourney #startupsuccess #fintech #indianstartups #businessheros #startupindia #2024