New Delhi: Rusk Media, the Mumbai-headquartered digital entertainment company focused on youth-first content and platform experiences, has announced the successful closure of its INR 100 crore Pre-Series C funding round led by Nazara Technologies Limited.
The round also saw participation from InfoEdge Ventures, IvyCap Ventures and a consortium led by Audacity VC. As part of the investment, representatives from Nazara Technologies and Audacity VC will join Rusk Media’s Board of Directors, reflecting deeper strategic alignment as the company enters its next phase of growth.
The fresh capital will be deployed across content, platform and technology expansion, with a focus on scaling Rusk Media’s portfolio of youth-centric intellectual properties to new markets, languages and audiences.
Among the company’s growth priorities are expanding flagship franchises including I-Popstar, its talent-led reality property, and Engaged, its unscripted reality dating format, while strengthening international reach.
The investment will also support the growth of Alright! TV, Rusk Media’s proprietary mobile entertainment platform built for Gen Z audiences, alongside the launch of a new slate of sports and audio-first content formats targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.
A key component of the company’s strategy will be the integration of AI-led production capabilities across content workflows. Rusk Media plans to develop proprietary AI tools aimed at lowering production costs, increasing content output and enabling scalable monetisation and brand solutions across the Alright! TV ecosystem.
Commenting on the funding round, Mayank Yadav, CEO & Co-founder, Rusk Media, said, “Our goal has always been to redefine storytelling for the new generation. With Nazara Technology Limited, InfoEdge Ventures, and Audacity VC backing us in this round, we are in a uniquely strong position to sustain our growth and go truly global. By combining AI-driven production with agile formats – Alright! TV, sports, audio news – we are building world-class entertainment infrastructure from India for the world.”
Nitish Mittersain, Managing Director, Nazara Technologies Limited, said, “We’ve watched Rusk’s growth closely, and what stands out is the combination of strong youth-led IP, a fast-scaling B2C platform in Alright! TV, and a disciplined, technology-first approach to production. Those are the same building blocks we believe create enduring value in new-age media. We’re delighted to lead this round and support the company.”
Kabir Kochhar, Managing Partner, Audacity VC, shared, “Audacity is a long-term believer in Mayank and his team as they have constantly exceeded our expectations by blowing past the benchmarks we have set for them. Rusk’s understanding of the future of media consumption and monetization has been light years ahead of most traditional media operators and companies. Audacity is proud to support Rusk in its ambitions of being one of the first Indian studios to make a massive impact on the global media landscape.”
Amit Behl, Partner, InfoEdge Ventures, shared, “Mayank and team have been pioneers in the content IP ecosystem, building culturally resonant, mobile-first content for Gen Z audiences. Unscripted formats are the universal language of today’s digital generation and we believe Rusk is well positioned to leverage its content IPs and capture global audiences with authentic and engaging storytelling.”
Vikram Gupta, Founder and Managing Partner, IvyCap Ventures, shared, “Rusk Media has built a strong foundation at the intersection of content, technology, and audience engagement. Its ability to create scalable digital IPs for the next generation of consumers positions it uniquely in the evolving media landscape. We are delighted to continue supporting Mayank and the team as they build globally relevant entertainment franchises from India.”
The latest funding marks a significant milestone in Rusk Media’s growth journey as the company looks to strengthen its content ecosystem, scale its owned consumer platforms and establish globally relevant entertainment brands emerging from India.
With increased investment in AI, platform innovation and creator-led content formats, Rusk Media is positioning itself to capitalise on evolving digital consumption patterns among younger audiences worldwide.
