Aawaz
Aawaz (Agrahyah Technologies) operates India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network in Indian languages, serving 100+ brands with original on-demand and live audio content across Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Aawaz does
Aawaz is the consumer audio brand of Agrahyah Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based private company founded in 2017. It operates aawaz.com, described as India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network in Indian languages, with 100% original content across Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati. The platform is accessible via Android, iOS, web, KaiOS, IndusOS, FireTVStick, Jio STB, Ola Play, Spotify, and Amazon Alexa, with offline listening and free ad-free streaming for consumers. Its core product surface includes on-demand audio streaming, #aawazLive (a live audio programming feature launched in 2021), and Aawaz Read (text-based articles).
The business model is B2B-heavy with three revenue streams: brand partnerships and advertising (Tata Mutual Fund, Google, IBM, Agora, Tata Trusts, Amity University, The Economic Times), publisher syndication (HT Smartcast, BIG FM, The Economic Times, The Quint, ChiniMandi, HCL), and content creator services. The platform has voice-enabled over 100 brands and serves 100+ brand customers, with monthly listens growing from 3.5M in January 2020 to 6.9M by March 2020 during the pandemic. Co-founders Sreeraman Thiagarajan (CEO) and Rushabh Vasa lead direct B2B sales and creator relations respectively.
The company raised $1 million in pre-series A funding from undisclosed HNI investors in Q1 2019 and operates with a team of 32 employees (up from 3 a year prior). Its technology stack centers on multi-language audio delivery and live audio streaming rather than disclosed proprietary AI/ML models. Key risks include a thin capital base relative to content production costs, heavy reliance on a few anchor brand partnerships (notably Tata Mutual Fund's multi-season 'Ishq Bhi Risk Bhi' series), and the structural challenge of monetizing regional Indian-language audio at scale.
Aawaz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aawaz
- Legal name
- Agrahyah Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
- Website
- https://aawaz.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aawaz (Agrahyah Technologies) operates India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network in Indian languages, serving 100+ brands with original on-demand and live audio content across Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aawaz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Podcast Streaming Platform
- NAICS
- Other Sound Recording Industries (51229), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts) (MPACADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAE), Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC), Audio Learning Content (Podcasts, Audiobooks, Listening Programs) (EDAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Aawaz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aawaz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Brand Partnerships and Advertising: End-to-end podcast services and advertising solutions for brands. Leading companies like Google, IBM, Agora, Tata Mutual Fund, Tata Trusts, Amity University, The Economic Times trust aawaz as their podcast partner for creating immersive listening experiences.
- Publisher Syndication: Distribution deals for institutional publishers. HT Smartcast, BIG FM, The Economic Times distribute content on aawaz. Attractive syndicate deals offered for content distribution.
- Content Creator Services: Working with creative talent across languages and genres to create high-quality podcasts and audio experiences. Services for voice-over artists, RJs, and storytellers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free streaming for consumers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels11 records
Marketing channels4 records
Aawaz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aawaz operates India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network, delivering 100% original, professionally produced audio content (podcasts, chat shows, interviews, stories, devotional, music, news, live programming) in Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati. The platform is offered free and ad-free to consumers with offline listening across mobile, web, and smart devices, and includes #aawazLive for real-time interactive audio shows. For brands and publishers, Aawaz provides end-to-end podcast production, branded content, advertising, and syndication services.
Product overview
Aawaz.com is a single unified audio-on-demand platform that operates as India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network. The platform offers 100% original content across five Indian languages (Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarati) through multiple branded channels and content categories. The core platform delivers on-demand audio streaming, live audio experiences via #aawazLive, and text-based content via Aawaz Read. Content is organized into themed channels including Rekhta (Urdu poetry), Conversational Masterclass (business education), Bhagavad Gita (devotional), Spooler (lifestyle), and publisher channels like Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, and BIG FM. The platform is accessible across devices including Android, iOS, web, Fire TV Stick, and various smart device platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aawaz.com Platform India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network offering 100% original content in Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati. Provides on-demand streaming with offline listening across Android, iOS, web, Fire TV Stick, KaiOS, IndusOS, Jio STB, and Ola Play. Free and ad-free for consumers.
- #aawazLive India's first home-grown digital live audio platform enabling real-time, live audio chat experiences with professionally generated content. Listeners can interact live with RJs, ask questions, share comments, and use emojis during live audio shows.
- Aawaz Read Text-based content section offering articles and features in multiple Indian languages including Hindi, covering categories such as Entertainment, Food, Health, Travel, and Business.
- Brand Podcast Services End-to-end podcast production and brand partnership services for enterprises, including branded podcast creation, advertising, immersive audio campaigns, and distribution across the Aawaz ecosystem. Used by Tata Mutual Fund, Google, IBM, Tata Trusts, Amity University, and Agora.
- Publisher Syndication Service B2B audio distribution and publisher syndication service that distributes third-party publisher and media-company audio content on the Aawaz platform to reach new audiences, including dedicated publisher channels such as Hindustan Times, BIG FM, The Economic Times, ChiniMandi, and HCL.
Quantifiable outcome
- Monthly listens grew from 3.5M to 6.9M during pandemic (86% increase)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Aawaz
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aawaz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Aawaz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Tata Mutual FundcoreBrand partnership creating 'Ishq Bhi Risk Bhi' series for investor education. Multiple seasons produced targeting non-metro audiences who constitute significant participants in equity markets. Won multiple industry awards.
- The Economic TimescorePodcast partnership creating 'The Morning Brief' business news podcast. aawaz provides end-to-end podcast services for the business news publication.
- HT Smartcast (Hindustan Times)corePublisher syndication partnership where Hindustan Times content is distributed on aawaz platform to reach new audiences and amplify reach.
- BIG FMcoreFM radio station partnership for content distribution on aawaz platform.
- Fever FMcorePartnership with HT Media Ltd's Fever FM to create live audio experiences on #aawazLive. Listeners interact live with popular Fever FM RJs including Vaibhav and Raghu Raftaar.
- Amazon AlexacoreIntegration for streaming aawaz content on Alexa-enabled devices and Amazon ecosystem including Fire TV Stick.
- SpotifymajorDistribution partnership for streaming aawaz content on Spotify platform.
- Jio (Reliance)coreDistribution through Jio STB, JioFiber, and Jio App for reach to Jio's massive subscriber base.
- Indus App BazaarmajorDistribution partnership through Indus OS app store to enhance visibility and acceptance of Hindi audio content.
- AirtelmajorDistribution partnership for streaming through Airtel platform.
- Ola PlayminorDistribution in Ola's in-car entertainment platform.
- CarvaanminorDistribution partnership for Carvaan audio devices.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aawaz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- JioSaavn: India's largest music and podcast streaming service, backed by Reliance Jio. Directly competes with Aawaz for Indian-language audio streaming, podcast distribution, and brand audio partnerships, while also serving as a key distribution partner for Aawaz on Jio devices.
- Gaana: Times Internet-owned Indian music and podcast streaming platform. Competes with Aawaz for Indian-language audio listenership and podcast hosting, with overlapping publisher and brand monetization models.
- Pocket FM: India-focused audio series and podcast platform with strong regional-language content. Competes with Aawaz in original Indian-language spoken-word audio and has raised substantially more capital to scale original content production.
- Hubhopper: India-based podcast creation, hosting, and distribution platform. Comparable to Aawaz as an Indian-language podcast network with brand and creator monetization services.
- Audioboom: Podcast hosting and monetization platform serving enterprise publishers and brands. Comparable to Aawaz in offering branded podcast production and distribution at scale.
- Kuku FM: Indian audio content platform specializing in regional-language stories, audiobooks, and podcasts. Direct competitor to Aawaz in vernacular spoken-word audio and brand-sponsored audio content.
- Spotify India: Global audio streaming leader with a growing India presence. Directly competes with Aawaz in podcast hosting/distribution (Spotify already carries Aawaz content) and is expanding Indian-language podcast offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Audible (Amazon): Amazon-owned audiobook and spoken-word streaming platform with a global footprint. Competes with Aawaz for premium spoken-word listenership and is also a distribution/voice partner via Amazon Alexa and Fire TV Stick.
Emerging players
- Storytel: Global audiobook and spoken-word streaming platform with an India presence. Comparable to Aawaz in audiobook and spoken-word streaming model, and a potential competitor for premium Indian-language audio content.
Regional players
- Saregama (Hungama): Indian music label and digital audio (Hungama) platform with deep Hindi content libraries. Comparable to Aawaz in monetizing Indian-language audio content and reaching regional audiences through licensed catalogs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aawaz social profiles
Digital presenceAawaz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aawaz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Aawaz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aawaz M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aawaz
What does Aawaz do?
Aawaz operates India's largest spoken-word audio and podcast network, delivering 100% original, professionally produced audio content (podcasts, chat shows, interviews, stories, devotional, music, news, live programming) in Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati. The platform is offered free and ad-free to consumers with offline listening across mobile, web, and smart devices, and includes #aawazLive for real-time interactive audio shows. For brands and publishers, Aawaz provides end-to-end podcast production, branded content, advertising, and syndication services.
Is Aawaz a public or private company?
Aawaz is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aawaz founded?
Aawaz was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aawaz based?
Aawaz is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Aawaz make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Brand Partnerships and Advertising is the primary driver. The others are publisher Syndication and content Creator Services.
Who are Aawaz's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are JioSaavn, Gaana, Pocket FM, Hubhopper, Audioboom, Kuku FM and Spotify India. Audible (Amazon) is listed as a broad incumbent. Storytel is listed as an emerging player. Saregama (Hungama) is listed as a regional player.
Does Aawaz have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aawaz.
What industry is Aawaz in?
Aawaz's product category is Podcast Streaming Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACADAF, Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts), with a secondary code of MPAIADAE, Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51229 and its SIC code is 7372.