NewsReach provides a platform that helps local newspaper publishers, reporters, stringers and PGCs aggregate their content and monetize it beyond traditional advertising. The company operates an open news marketplace where publishers and original content providers can sell, license or syndicate content to big media houses, fellow publishers, or other content buyers. NewsReach emphasizes both ad-based revenue and direct content sales/licensing as monetization channels. The company says it aims to revive the local news industry by digitizing publishers and creating visibility and marketability for their content. In April the company engaged Mumbai Angels Network and the founder said the funding transfer was completed rapidly. Founder Darshan Shah praised Mumbai Angels for their speed and professionalism during the Covid-19 period. Founded in 2018 by Darshan Shah and Soniya Kundani, Newsreach runs India’s first local news community focused on vernacular hyper-local publications. Its tech platform enables creators to license original work across a network and offers brands advertorial and sponsored-content opportunities to reach local audiences. The company positions itself to target users in tier‑2 cities and beyond through localized advertising alternatives to search and display. Newsreach says its platform improves engagement and ROI for advertisers by facilitating sponsored content distribution across local publishers. The startup stated the recent funding round made the current round fully subscribed. Prior funding came from individual and angel investors including BharatPe co‑founder Shashvat Nakrani, JITO Angel Network, Beyond Partners, Sharan Aggarwal and Oasis. NewsReach creates a news ecosystem 2.0 focused on original and hyper-local content by empowering offline local publishers and reporters to go online. The company offers a proprietary content marketplace and an online publication system delivered in a DIY SaaS model for publishers. It aims to digitise and facilitate the news media landscape via a single-platform SaaS and marketplace. NewsReach plans to use new funding for technology innovation, hiring talent, and expansion into multiple states. The startup is backed by investors including CIIE Initiative startup Oasis, a US-based venture firm, and Omnivore VC’s managing partner. Founded in 2018 and based in Ahmedabad, NewsReach previously raised $150,000 in a pre-seed round last year and now closed a new seed round. NewsReach creates a platform that digitises offline local news publishers and reporters to produce and syndicate original, hyper-local content. The startup enables journalists to quote fair prices for their stories while providing media organisations a consolidated platform to view and license content without large on-roll teams. It aims to syndicate hyper-local and other content in text, video and other formats for licensing in an open market. NewsReach also helps publishers monetise through advertisements and news marketplaces. The company plans to expand its offering into southern Indian languages, starting with Telugu. NewsReach was founded in 2018 by Darshan Shah and Soniya Kundnani and is based in Ahmedabad.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Jan 2023