VerSe Innovation, the parent company of unicorn startup Dailyhunt and Josh, ended FY25 on a strong note with sharp revenue growth and lower losses. The company, backed by global investors like CPP Investments, Carlyle, QIA, Google, and Microsoft, said it is on track to achieve EBITDA break-even and group-level profitability in the second half of FY26.
Anik Banerjee
Revenue Growth and Improved Margins
In FY25, VerSe’s operating revenue jumped 88% to INR 1,930 crore, up from INR 1,029 crore in FY24. Total revenue, including other income, rose 64% to INR 2,071 crore. Even without acquisitions, core operating revenue grew 33% to INR 1,373 crore, showing strong demand for its core products.
At the same time, the company reduced its losses. EBITDA burn dropped 20% to INR 738 crore, compared to INR 920 crore a year earlier. The EBITDA margin improved from -89% in FY24 to -38% in FY25, showing progress toward sustainability.
The overall costs also came down. The cost of services fell to 77% of revenue from 112% last year. Other operating expenses dropped to 61% from 77%. These improvements reflect stronger efficiency and tighter cost discipline.
| Metric | FY24 (INR Cr) | FY25 (INR Cr) | Change/Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Revenue | 1,029 | 1,930 | +88% |
| Total Revenue (incl. other income) | 1,266* | 2,071 | +64% |
| Core Operating Revenue (excl. acquisitions) | 1,029 | 1,373 | +33% |
| EBITDA Burn | 920 | 738 | -20% |
| EBITDA Margin | -89% | -38% | Improved |
| Cost of Services (% of revenue) | 112% | 77% | Better efficiency |
| Other Operating Expenses (% of revenue) | 77% | 61% | Reduced |
*FY24 total revenue estimated as operating revenue + other income (~INR 237 crore).
AI and Product Innovation as Growth Drivers
VerSe said its journey to profitability will be powered by AI-driven monetisation, product innovation, and fiscal prudence. A key part of this plan is NexVerse.ai, its programmatic advertising engine that uses AI to deliver better ad results and deeper insights for brands.
The company is also pushing subscriptions. Through Dailyhunt Premium, in partnership with Magzter, it is offering premium content to paying users. This adds another revenue stream beyond advertising.
On the community side, VerSe launched Josh Audio Calling, letting fans interact directly with creators, and VerSe Collab, a marketplace for influencer campaigns. These products are designed to deepen user engagement and help brands connect with India’s massive creator community.
Nitin Konde
Acquisitions and Expansion
Strategic acquisitions are another part of VerSe’s growth story. The company acquired Magzter, a global digital magazine platform, and ValueLeaf, a B2B engagement company. These are being integrated to expand its premium content and enterprise solutions.
With these moves, VerSe aims to strengthen both consumer and business ecosystems. The firm now serves over 350 million users across its platforms, making it one of India’s largest digital media players.
Outlook for FY26
VerSe expects to turn profitable in the second half of FY26, supported by AI-powered automation, subscriptions, community products, and efficiency gains. The company said its strong capital position, proven scale, and focus on innovation position it to lead India’s next digital growth wave.
Despite past controversies, including allegations of round-tripping with Builder.ai, which the company strongly denied, VerSe continues to attract investor support and push toward sustainable growth. With improved unit economics and a clear roadmap, industry watchers are now eyeing VerSe’s progress toward a possible IPO in the coming years.
Nitin Konde
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