Flutrr, a Kolkata-based vernacular dating app, secures Rs 2 crore from Qureshi and other angel investors to foster connections for non-English speakers in Tier II and III cities.
Introduction:
In a significant boost to its growth plans, Flutrr, a Kolkata-based dating app supporting six Indian languages, has raised Rs 2 crore in a recent funding round led by Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi. The startup, which aims to bridge the gap for non-English speakers in Tier II and III cities, has also attracted investments from angel investors Sandeep Bhattacharya, former Global CMO of Hoechst and Merck, and Yogesh Mishra, Director of PayPal USA. This latest influx of capital brings Flutrr’s total funding to approximately $750,000 (Rs 6.5 crore).
Flutrr’s mission to connect young Indians from smaller towns who may not be fluent in English has resonated with Qureshi, known for her strong feminist roles in films. “Huma has always taken up strong feminist roles in her career. And as a women-centric app, we couldn’t be more excited to have her on board,” said Anirban, Co-Founder and CMO of Flutrr.
Celebrity Backing and Funding Success:
Huma Qureshi’s investment in Flutrr is a significant milestone for the startup, as it not only provides financial support but also helps raise the app’s profile among potential users. “Huma’s investment propels us toward becoming a pan-India success story from Kolkata. We’re thrilled to welcome a strong woman like Huma to the Flutrr family,” said Kaushik Banerjee, Co-Founder and CEO.
In addition to Qureshi, Flutrr has attracted investments from notable angels and institutions, including media giant Times of India, The Chennai Angels, and top-level executives from Google, SAP, Microsoft, and DBS. This diverse investor base is a testament to the startup’s potential and the growing interest in the vernacular dating app market.
Addressing the Language Barrier:
India ranks as the fifth-largest market for dating apps globally, with a growing number of young Indians from smaller towns embracing online dating. However, many popular dating apps predominantly operate in English, creating a barrier for users who are not fluent in the language. Flutrr aims to overcome this challenge by offering its platform in six major Indian languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Bengali.
“Small-town India, colloquially known as ‘Bharat’, boasts around 650 million youth who lack English fluency. However, the ‘Jio Effect’ has brought affordable internet access to even the remotest corners of the nation, leveling the digital playing field. Flutrr is pioneering this change by offering a dating app available in major Indian languages, enabling young individuals to connect with potential romantic partners in their native tongues,” explained Kaushik Banerjee.
Innovative Features and User Safety:
Flutrr operates on a pay-per-use monetization model with micro-transactions, allowing users to purchase premium features without subscribing to a plan. The app prioritizes user safety with face recognition algorithms, mobile number verification, private mode messaging, and a kill switch to erase chats from the receiver’s device. Video calls have a blur filter, and screenshots are disabled to protect users’ privacy. Users can also activate ‘ghost mode’ to hide their exact location.
To enhance user engagement, Flutrr has introduced features like ‘finderr’, which allows users to showcase content similar to Instagram or TikTok, love quotes, music, and a gifting option. “Our app is initiating a gifting culture by introducing coupons that reward users for sending more likes and messages on our platform. This incentivizes our users to engage more actively with our app,” said Anirban.
Growth and Profitability Outlook:
Flutrr is targeting the growing online dating industry in India, expected to reach $69.90 million in 2024. With 72% of its users from Tier II and smaller towns, the app boasts a match rate of 8.58%, significantly higher than the 2-3% match rate of English dating apps in the top 30 cities. The startup claims over 400,000 active users, nearing 1 million downloads, and generates a monthly revenue of Rs 20-21 lakh. Flutrr aims to be profitable by the end of 2024, reach 5-6 million users within the next 12 months, and plans to make tech hires in the coming year.
Conclusion:
Huma Qureshi’s investment in Flutrr marks a significant milestone for the Kolkata-based vernacular dating app, as it continues to break down language barriers and foster meaningful connections for young Indians in smaller towns. With its innovative features, focus on user safety, and growing user base, Flutrr is well-positioned to capitalize on the expanding online dating market in India. As the startup moves closer to profitability and plans for further growth, it is poised to make a lasting impact on the Indian startup ecosystem.
