Google reportedly sets its eyes on Twitter-backed Indian social media startup Sharechat

• Google’s bet on the startup could value Sharechat at over a billion dollars.
• The startup has raised $264 million so far and was last valued at $650 million.
• Sharechat has a presence in over 15 Indian languages.

Google is looking to acquire social media platform Sharechat, according to an ET Now report. The tech giant could acquire the Indian startup at a valuation of over a billion dollars.

Sharechat’s popularity has become a hit with investors too, as earlier Microsoft also was reportedly eyeing a stake in the startup.

The startup had last raised $40 million in a pre-series E round at a valuation of $650 million. For the $264 million it has raised so far, Sharechat has found takers like Twitter, SAIF Partners (now, Elevation Capital), Lightspeed Ventures along with Indian corporates like Dr.Pawan Munjal and DCM Shriram Promoters Family Office.

What could Google get out of Sharechat

The Indian social media platform Sharechat has built a strong base for itself in India. As a conscious decision, Sharechat isn’t going after the first adopters of the internet in India – the English-speaking audience which consumes content similar to the West. Sharechat has a presence in over 15 Indian languages.

Google would gain from Sharechat’s expertise in vernacular language growth. Google in July had announced that it would invest a whopping $10 billion in India through the Google for India Digitization Fund, out of which the tech giant had already invested $4.5 billion in Reliance Jio.

Even then, Google CEO Sundar Pichai had said that Google will invest in the following four areas

• First, enabling affordable access and information for every Indian in their own language, whether it’s Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi or any other
• Second, building new products and services that are deeply relevant to India’s unique needs
• Third, empowering businesses as they continue or embark on their digital transformation
• Fourth, leveraging technology and AI for social good, in areas like health, education, and agriculture

Recently, Sharechat had also set up a research and development lab in Silicon Valley called Sharechat Labs. To lead its product developments, Sharechat had also brought on board former Uber product leader Gaurav Mishra.

At the Silicon Valley lab, Sharechat will build on artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven capabilities for its social media platform and its recently launched video platform Moj.

While Sharechat has over 130 million monthly users, Moj has over 80 million monthly users.

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Sharechat sets up a R&D lab in Silicon Valley – brings on board former Uber product leader to drive AI and ML innovation