Podeo is a UAE-based podcast distribution and creator platform offering end-to-end production tools (editing, sound design, branding, mixing), hosting, and programmatic ad insertion. The app enables creators to mark notes and receive a polished, ready-for-distribution episode within 24 hours. Podeo does not charge listeners a subscription fee and plans to eliminate creator subscription packages, instead relying on advertising and exploring memberships, tipping, and tokenization as monetization paths. The company has onboarded more than 100,000 creators in under two years and reached a subscriber base of 50 million. Podeo has formed partnerships with radio stations, the Jawaker game app, and in-flight entertainment provider Anuvu to distribute content across decentralized channels. The company came to life in 2020, relocated to Dubai, and plans to expand into Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. Podeo is a Lebanon-based mobile app that offers the largest podcast catalogue in the Arab world, localizing the audio experience with popular shows in Arabic and English. Founded in 2019, the company operates recording studios and offices in Beirut. It experienced a 48% drop in downloads and streams in 2020 but rebounded, reporting 700% growth in listens in Q2 of last year. Podeo raised an undisclosed Seed round led by Razor Capital with co-investment from Globivest VC and other investors; the funding will be used to widen accessibility to Arabic listeners. Management says the funds will strengthen Podeo's leading position in the Arab podcast industry and double down on growth. After the August Beirut explosion damaged its studios and offices, Podeo enabled listeners and creators to publish audio snippets that were heard by more than seven million people across 157 countries.

Total raised

$5M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Sep 2024