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  • What Is Creator Economy & How Is It Driving India’s GDP?

    A software-facilitated economy created on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, Spotify, Substack, OnlyFans, Tiki, and Patreon that allows creators and influencers to earn revenue is known as the Creator Economy.

    As the internet evolved over the years, so did its use. The virtual universe of the world wide web became the home of not just users and consumers, but creators. Individuals turned producers managing their own brands. This resulted in revolutionizing the way content was produced, distributed, and consumed. And the Creator Economy came into being.

    How Did It Start?
    The Working
    Business Models of Creator Economy
    India & The Creator Economy
    Conclusion

    How Did It Start?

    It was Paul Saffo from Stanford University who suggested that the creator economy came into being in 1997 as the ‘new economy’. Creators during that time were people who worked with animation and illustrations, although, with no discernible marketplace infrastructure to generate revenue. It was YouTube that coined the term ‘creator’ in 2011 that, at the time, applied to individuals who were famous on the platform. The term has rapidly gained popular acceptance and now applies to individuals who create online content. Hence, the creator economy is defined as an economic system built by independent content creators who are connected to their audience and businesses via the internet. The content created can be in the form of text, podcasts, music, videos, digital books, games, etc. This content can be monetized by sharing it on ad-sponsored platforms, partnering with brands, charging subscription fees, providing services, and much more. Some examples of content creators are TikTok stars Charlie D’Amelio, PewDiePie, and Addison Rae.

    YouTube: The Birthplace of the Creator Economy

    The Working

    The umbrella of the creator economy covers an entire ecosystem encapsulating creators, consumers, advertisers, and other stakeholders that significantly affect the way content is created, distributed, consumed, and monetized. The stakeholders within this realm are –

    1.      Creators also known as infopreneurs who engage in creating various types of content on a variety of topics to build and engage their audiences and monetize their creations. These creators can be Vloggers or Bloggers who give information and advice on specialized topics, Entertainers using their skills of writing, creating music or expressing through other art forms, Guides and Experts sharing their knowledge on products or services and Celebrities who use their popularity to create content.

    2.      Consumers are the target audience of the creators who engage with them or follow their opinions for entertainment or information. Consumers also support creators monetarily through content subscription.

    3.      Platforms are used equally by the creators and consumers to engage with each other. These are third party facilitators that help creation, distribution, consumption and monetization of content. YouTube and Instagram are examples of such platforms.

    Why Influencers Are An Integral Part Of Instagram: A Case Study
    Instagram has 800 million active users and around 500,000 Influencers and 60% trying to become an influencer and make a lot of money thorough this platform
    StartupTalkyPV Vyshnavi

    4.      Businesses advertise their wares and services through content creators. Partnering with influencers allows these businesses a direct access to their target audience. It also helps to make marketing campaigns effective. Influencers earn highly from brands through this partnership.

    5.      Tools are solutions that help the stakeholders to create and distribute content and also provide valuable performance insights to creators and businesses.

    Business Models of Creator Economy

    As new and emerging as this economy is, it has introduced innovative business models that has allowed successful career sustainability for creators. Off the many business models that have sprung around this economy, some commonly successful ones are –

    1. Platform Revenue Sharing

    As the most popular business model with the least barrier entry, it is used by creators who enjoy a significantly large following and want to diversify their earning sources. Creators monetize their content by earning a portion of the advertisement revenue that is generated from their channel pages and posts.

    2. Affiliate Marketing

    As the name suggests this commission earning based model helps both the creators to generate revenue and the businesses to generate credible leads. Through this business model, creators share coupon codes or special links that they receive. These are then tracked by the platform to ascertain if such leads have converted into actual sales.

    3. Product Placement

    This type of business model works on brand partnerships where creators and influencers are paid to use or feature brands and products in their content. Creators are remunerated for mentioning the products and services and providing website links in their content. Product Placement model is preferred by influencers who enjoy a large following as their fees per mention depends on their audience reach and penetration.

    Influencer Marketing Industry – How It Started and What Is Its Future?
    Influencer marketing is a type of social media marketing. It is a rapidly growing industry, having grown from $1.7 billion in 2016 to $13.8 billion in 2021.
    StartupTalkyKinnary Nensee

    4. Brand Sponsorship

    This model works on exclusive contracts between a business and the influencer. The influencer agrees to exclusively promote the business or brand by featuring it in their content.

    5. Subscription

    There are several platforms like Instagram that offer a subscription based business model. This entails viewers paying a subscription fee to watch exclusive content, live streams and videos which are otherwise not accessible. This type of business model presents a great opportunity for creators to grow their direct fan-to-creator revenue.

    6. Self-Brand Offering

    There are creators who also launch their own products and services including accessories, clothing lines, bags, purses, etc that helps them in generating revenue and establish their own separate business that is sustainable.

    India & The Creator Economy

    Between the years 2018 and 2022, startups within the creator economy in India have raised USD 2.5 billion and as per reports, it is growing at a CAGR of 25%. The main reasons behind its growth trajectory are flexible office hours, remote work and renewal of passion pursuits.

    According to Tamseel Hussain of Livemint – “Doctors are joining the creator economy and creating shows on various health issues, farmers teaching other farmers organic farming through story telling or even brands enabling their own community members to share powerful stories instead of going to influencers.”

    The driving indicators of the Indian creator economy’s growth potential are the fundamental changes in consumer behaviour, consumption patterns and the increasing number of first-time creators showcasing their talent.

    Reiterating this Tamseel Hussain said – “The rise of affordable smartphones and internet-access packages, coupled with digital media, has made being a creator easier. The capacity of hungry audiences demanding a variety of content is also a massive driver. Today stories are everywhere, from social media platforms to televisions, OTT, offline screens and even food and shopping apps. This is changing the landscape for the creator economy, especially in smaller Indian towns and cities, by building new opportunities for creators and offering unique stories to people where they spend the most time.”

    The already growing creator economy was, then, disrupted by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The severe lockdowns pushed imaginative boundaries as creators flocked the digital space showcasing a wide variety of talent and monetizing their content.

    What is also fuelling its growth is the increasing penetration of digitization of the rural areas of the country. It is widening prospects that is ably supported by cutting-edge technology. The rapid expansion of the Tier II and Tier III cities of the country means that more than 100 million new creators are expected to join the creator community further adding to the growth of the creator economy.

    Conclusion

    The rapidly growing creator economy is also facing obstacles and challenges. However, the constant technology evolution is quickly answering those challenges making the future look very promising. The creator economy of India is set to scale with people able to generate revenue doing what they love and connecting with their roots. It will be interesting to watch how the evolution shapes in the coming years.

    FAQs

    What is the Creator Economy and how is it transforming the way people earn a living?

    A software-facilitated economy created on social media platforms that allows creators and influencers to earn revenue, transforming the way people earn by providing opportunities for self-employment and income from a direct audience.

    Who are the key players in the Creator Economy and how do they generate revenue?

    The key players in the Creator Economy are creators and influencers who generate revenue through sponsored content, merchandise sales, and direct audience support such as tips, subscriptions, or paid memberships.

    What are some popular platforms that are driving the Creator Economy, and what kind of content is most successful?

    Popular platforms driving the Creator Economy include YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Patreon. Successful content includes video content, tutorials, lifestyle, and entertainment.

  • What is Earned Media & What is its Value

    The entirety of the media rests on three main pillars – Earned Media, Paid Media, and Owned Media. Paid media refers to digital and analog advertising that includes social media, newspapers, and billboards. Owned media is any material that is published directly by the brand either as the company’s blog or through its social media channels. Earned Media is a term that refers to the publicity that is gained through efforts that are promotional in nature. The material is usually filtered through third parties like journalists, bloggers or end consumers.

    Examples of Earned Media in the offline space include news media coverage, ratings and reviews in traditional media outlets, consumer-to-consumer conversations about products including advice and referrals, or product demonstrations by consumers to other consumers. Online earned media include publicity mentions in digital media outlets, online WOM (word of mouth) referrals, posting on online communities or social networks, and online ratings and reviews.

    Benefits of Earned Media
    Challenges of Earned Media
    Earned Media Value(EMV) and Why it Matters
    EMV Calculation
    Effective Usage of Earned Media Value
    Conclusion

    Benefits of Earned Media

    There are many considerable benefits of earned media. Some key advantages include –

    Brand Exposure

    Earned media can boost organic brand exposure through word-of-mouth communication, cross-channel engagement, further research through search engines or social media, and last but not least conversion. Earned media has the added advantage of converting a customer even after the passage of time after consuming content.

    Word-Of-Mouth Advertising: Connecting Consumers
    Word-of-mouth advertising is the most important and valuable form of marketing that cannot be neglected in the e-commerce era. Read the full article to know more about word-of-mouth advertising.
    StartupTalkyAditi Chawda

    Brand Loyalty

    Existing customers of a brand feel an enhanced connection with it after reading positive coverage and reviews thus converting them to organic ambassadors that further endorse the brand.

    Brand Credibility

    Positive reviews, organic brand endorsements, and brand representation in authoritative outlets lend further credibility and trustworthiness to it. It legitimizes the brand’s position in the market

    SEO Advantage

    The search engine rankings of the brand receive a substantial boost as brands earn backlinks on credible sites with a high domain or page authority.

    Earned Media: What Is It and How Do You Get It?

    Challenges of Earned Media

    The many advantages of earned media are also peppered with a few challenges. There is ample traffic on the web, hence making it difficult to cut through the noise with a compelling brand-centric story that contributes in terms of ROI (Return of Interest). Secondly, it becomes difficult to track the individual sentiments of each reader without conducting in-depth interviews to understand their takeaway from the PR material. Hence, quantitative results for earned media are difficult to demonstrate.

    Earned Media Value(EMV) and Why it Matters

    Earned Media Value or EMV is a metric that helps brands to quantify the monetary value of their marketing and PR activity. It also helps companies to evaluate the effectiveness of their earned media initiatives. This evaluation considers users’ social interaction with brands, including shares, likes, and comments on social media, blog posts, and ratings on review sites.

    EMV Calculation

    There is no standardized way to calculate earned media value. However, one common method to calculate EMV is to apply the formula that multiplies the total number of impressions by the average cost per thousand impressions (CPM) by an adjustable variable like recall rate or the number of likes and shares. The word ‘impressions’ refers to when a user sees the campaign. Hence the formula for calculating the earned media value would be –

    💡EMV = Impressions x CPM x Adjustable Variable

    Effective Usage of Earned Media Value

    Earned media value is an important KPI when tracked along with other metrics like influencer community size and share of voice. It can be used by marketers to benchmark the impact of individual posts, influencers, products, and campaigns on brand awareness and reputation. It is the single most established metric for performance benchmarking within the creator economy and the social media marketing space. Earned Media Value provides companies and brands with invaluable data that helps in making business decisions that improve strategy and approach contributing to lasting growth.

    Conclusion

    Although considered by many as a vanity metric, earned media value is especially important to brands because it captures all earned media and all content that is not created by the brand itself. Earned media has the capacity to increase trust among consumers and drive serious sales conversions. In addition, the creator economy is growing and so is the importance of influencer marketing. Robust influencer programs seem to be the most effective way to increase the volume of earned media, subsequently increasing the earned media value.

    FAQs

    What is earned media, and how does it differ from owned and paid media?

    Earned media is unpaid publicity, owned media is content a brand controls, and paid media refers to digital and analog advertising.

    What are some examples of earned media?

    Some examples of earned media include:

    • Media coverage
    • Social media mentions or shares of a brand
    • Featuring reviews or photos on social media
    • Influencer endorsements
    • Word-of-mouth referrals or recommendations from satisfied customers or clients

    What role does social media play in earned media?

    Social media enables users to share opinions and experiences about a brand, which can lead to earned media.

    How can you measure the effectiveness of earned media?

    There are several ways to measure the effectiveness of earned media:

    • Media coverage
    • Social media mentions
    • Website traffic
    • SEO performance
    • Brand reputation
    • Sales or conversions

  • Best Banks for Small Business Startup Loans in India

    The startup culture has taken over the world. More and more people are showing interest to start their businesses. The recent growth that the startup world has experienced is immense and it is not going to stop anytime soon. However, beginning a startup means needing one of the most significant things and that is investment or funds. Without finance, a business cannot happen.

    People who launched their businesses search for finance as they need funds to grow their companies. Businesses make money by borrowing cash. So, there are banks that willingly provide loans to small businesses. In this article, we will talk about some of the banks from which you can take loans and their eligibility criteria, and the documents that are needed. So let’s get started.

    Is It an Ideal Idea to Get the Loan Offered by Bank?
    HDFC Bank Business Loans
    Citi Bank Business Loans
    ICICI Bank Business Loans
    Axis Bank Business Loans

    Is It an Ideal Idea to Get the Loan Offered by Bank?

    Acquiring Loans from Banks for a startup with a futuristic approach is always a good idea. Loans are regarded as a better source of capital for a gainful business than share capital as you get to have better leverage. You can enjoy a surplus of the rate of return over the interest you pay for the borrowings. To begin with a startup, you need to be very well aware of how to keep your interest rate as low as possible with maximum benefits.

    Loans enhance the scope of your business by aiding you in expansion as well. On the other hand, it also acts as a catalyst to motivate you for better productivity. You can avail these advantages of acquiring startup loans-

    • You can get a boost to develop an even stronger business plan.
    • You can effectively manage the flow of money.
    • Higher rate of return on capital.

    List of Best Banks for Small Business Startup Loans

    Many banks offer loans to small businesses so that entrepreneurs can fulfill their dreams of running a business. However, the most popular banks that offer loans and are favored the most are listed below, they are:

    HDFC Bank Business Loans

    HDFC Bank Business Loan
    HDFC Bank Business Loan

    Startups can expand their operations by obtaining additional financial assistance through HDFC bank. Every entrepreneur wants to have the least amount of documents, flexible tenures as well as low-interest rates, which you can get from HDFC.  The bank offers loans to fulfill related funding. any kinds of business requirements

    Loan Amount and Tenure

    • The Business loan amount is up to INR 40 Lakhs and even INR 50 Lakhs in selected places.
    • Loan Tenure is 12 months to 48 months.

    Eligibility

    • Entrepreneurs, Proprietors, Private Ltd. Co., and Partnership Firms involved in the business of Manufacturing, Trading, or Services.
    • The business has a minimum turnover of Rs. 40 lakhs.
    • Individuals who have been working for at least 3 years with a minimum of 5 years of working experience in the field.
    • Business involved in profit-making for the past 2 years.
    • A business must have a Minimal Annual Income (ITR) of at least Rs.1.5 lakhs per year.
    • The applicant must be at least 21 years when they apply for the loan, and not older than 65 when the loan’s maturity.

    Documentation

    If you are interested in a business growth loan, then you can apply for it using the following paperwork.

    1. Mandatory Documents [Sole Prop. Declaration or Certified Copy of Partnership Deed, Certified true copy of Memorandum & Articles of Association (certified by Director) & Board resolution (Original)]
    2. A copy of any of the following documents as identity proof:
    • Aadhaar Card
    • Passport
    • Voter’s ID Card
    • PAN Card
    • Driving License

    3.  A copy of any of the following documents as address proof:

    • Aadhaar Card
    • Passport
    • Voter’s ID Card
    • Driving License

    4.  Latest ITR along with computation of income, Balance Sheet, and Profit & Loss account for the previous 2 years, after being CA Certified/Audited.

    5.  Proof of continuation (ITR/Trade license/Establishment/Sales Tax Certificate).

    6.  Bank statement of the previous 6 months.

    Interest Rate & Charges

    • The interest range for Rack is between 10% to 22.5%.
    • Loan Processing Charges – Up to 2% of the loan amount.                            NIL Processing Fees for loan facility up to ₹5 Lakhs availed by micro and small Enterprises subject to URC submission before disbursal

    Benefits

    • You don’t have to submit any collateral or security for taking a loan from HDFC.
    • The process of applications is very simple.
    • Least amount of documentation.
    • Doorstep service is available in this bank.
    • An additional feature is access to the overdraft facility. You pay interest only on the utilized loan amount together with a credit protection plan.
    • You can have the credit protection plan at a nominal price.

    Citi Bank Business Loans

    Citi Bank Business Loan
    Citi Bank Business Loan

    Citi Bank offers loans referred to as CitiBusiness that offer business loans through which startups can manage working capital efficiently. A startup can also opt for diversified MSME loan products which include working capital loans, short-term loans, long-term loans, overdrafts as well as export-import finance options too.

    Citi India has transferred the ownership of its consumer business to Axis Bank starting from March 1st, 2023.

    ICICI Bank Business Loans

    ICICI Bank Business Loan
    ICICI Bank Business Loan

    ICICI also offers startup loans. They have come up with “iStartup 2.0′, which provides a broad range of business solutions that help customers beyond their banking and business needs which can help you save time and energy, and allow you to concentrate on the essential business aspects. This program has been created to allow entrepreneurs to take advantage of loans.

    If you choose to use the iStartup 2.0 which includes banking services, lots of other services are offered to you, which play an essential role in the development of your business, such as a debit card that has limits and more.

    Loan Amount and Tenure

    • The minimum amount for a loan is INR 50,000 and the maximum amount is INR 40 Lakhs.
    • Loan Tenure is 12 months to 36 months.

    Eligibility

    • Loans can be given to Self Employed individuals and the age criterion is 28 years. For doctors, the age criteria are 25 years.
    • The minimum turnover of the business for a no-professional has to be INR 40 Lakhs and for Professionals, it has to be INR 15 Lakhs
    • The minimum profit has to be INR 2 Lakhs for self-employed and INR 1 Lakhs for non-professionals.
    • One has to have a minimum 1-year relationship with ICICI Bank by having a current or saving account.

    Documentation

    1. Copy of PAN Card for Identity Proof.

    2. A copy of any of the following documents as address proof:

    • Aadhaar Card
    • Passport
    • Voter’s ID Card
    • Driving License

    3. Partnership deed or certificate for Partnership business and Sole Proprietorship establishment certificate is needed.

    4. Last 3 Years’ Audited Financial reports that include balance, profit and loss account, tax Audit reports

    5.  Bank statement for the last 6 months

    Interest Rate & Charges

    • For secured facilities: Up to Repo Rate +6.0 %(Non-PSL). For facilities backed by CGTMSE: Up to Repo Rate + 7.10%. The interest rate for each loan is determined based on the assessment of the business, financials, loan amount, and tenure.
    • The processing fees are up to 2% (plus applicable taxes) of the facility amount.

    Benefits

    • Collateral or security is not needed.
    • An overdraft facility is offered by the bank.
    • There are numerous branches of the bank in India.
    • Loan processing is quick and simple.

    If you opt for iStartup 2.0, you are given the perfect solution for healthcare, IT & services, real estate, and manufacturing. In short, it may prove to be a tiny step to the big leap.

    Axis Bank Business Loans

    Axis Bank Business Loan
    Axis Bank Business Loan

    Axis Bank is among the banks that could be the right option for you. It provides the required fund as a loan for the requirement of your business. Small and micro businesses can easily apply for loans in Axis Bank.

    Loan Amount and Tenure

    • The loan amount is up to INR 50 Lakhs.
    • The tenure is 6 to 36 months.

    Eligibility

    • The business must be at least 3 years old and running.
    • Have a minimum annual turnover of INR 30 Lakhs.
    • Individuals must be in the age group of 21 to 65 years.
    • The individual has to be Indian to apply for the loan.

    Documentation

    1. A copy of any of the documents for identity proof is mentioned down below:
    • Aadhar Card
    • Passport
    • Voter’s ID Card
    • Driving License
    • Pan Card

    2.  A copy of any of the documents for address proof mentioned down below:

    • Passport
    • Telephone Bill
    • Electricity Bill
    • Bank Statement with a cheque

    3.  Last 2 years’ Income Tax Return documents

    4.  Banks Statement for the last 6 months

    5.  Proof of the establishment of the business.

    6.  The last 2 years’ financial reports which include Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet.

    Interest Rate & Charges

    • The interest rate is 10.99% to 21%.
    • The processing fee is up to 2% of the loan amount that has been requested + Taxes applicable.

    Benefits

    • No collateral or security is needed.
    • Least amount of documentation.
    • The application process for the loan is simple.
    • The tenure for the repayment is flexible.

    Conclusion

    The majority of entrepreneurs running businesses try to make funds on their own and invest them in their businesses and move forward. If you go back in time to those who have loans, only a few can use the money they have been granted. The issue of bank loans is a huge issue for some however the only requirement is how to utilize the facility in the right way. The startup culture is growing day by day, therefore the need for business loans is also increasing.

    FAQs

    Which bank is best for business loans?

    The best bank for loans to startup businesses are:

    • HDFC Bank Business Loans
    • Citi Bank Business Loans
    • ICICI Bank Business Loans
    • Axis Bank Business Loans

    What is a good credit score to get a business loan?

    A credit score above 650 can be an excellent score to qualify for a business loan.

    For a collateral-free business loan: A credit score above 700.
    For a secured business loan: A credit score is 650 to 700.

    How do I qualify for a business loan?

    To qualify for a business loan a few requirements are needed.

    • Business Credit Score.
    • The annual revenue of your business.
    • New Business Plan that includes forecast financial statements.
    • Additional financial collateral is needed to secure the loan.

    Can I take a loan from a bank for business?

    Absolutely. You can get a startup company loan through a bank to begin and grow your company. The rate of interest would be contingent upon the size of your loan as well as the time frame for repayment.

  • Most Subscribed YouTube Channels Worldwide

    YouTube, which was launched on February 14, 2005, is the most popular video platform worldwide. Headquartered at 901 Cherry Avenue San Bruno, California, United States, YouTube was founded by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. Susan Wojcicki is the CEO and Chad Hurley is the Advisor.

    There were 2.24 billion Youtube users worldwide in 2021, out of which 12% were men aged 25-34 years, and 9% were women aged 35-44. YouTube has over 2.1 billion viewers every month. It had $28.84 billion in ad revenues worldwide and its ad revenues as a share of Google’s total revenue was 11.2%. The share of global marketers using YouTube in 2021 was 52%.

    YouTube Key Figures

    Most viewed YouTube channel worldwide Wiz Khalifa Music
    Most subscribed YouTube beauty and style channel Sandra Cires Art
    Highest-paid YouTube star Mr. Beast
    Most viewed U.S. YouTube partner channel Warner Music
    Number of hours uploaded to YouTube every minute 500
    Most viewed YouTube video of all time Baby Shark Dance
    Fastest video to reach 100 million YouTube streams BTS ‘Butter” Official MV
    Fastest viral video to reach 1 billion YouTube streams Adele – Hello

    Leading Countries Based on YouTube Audience Size as of April 2022
    Leading Countries Based on YouTube Audience Size as of April 2022

    Here is the list of the most subscribed and popular YouTube channels so far.

    T-Series
    Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes
    SET India
    MrBeast
    Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (PewDiePie)
    Kids Diana Show
    Like Nastya
    WWE
    Vlad and Niki
    Zee Music Company
    Blackpink
    Goldmines telefilms
    5-Minute Crafts
    Sony SAB
    BangtanTV
    Justin Bieber
    Hybe Labels
    Canal KondZilla
    Zee TV
    Pinkfong
    Dude Perfect
    Movieclips
    Marshmello

    T-Series

    T Series is a YouTube channel that is concentrated on music. T-series is the most viewed and most subscribed YouTube Channel. It has 232 million subscribers and over 209 billion views.

    Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes

    Cocomelon is an American YouTube channel. They are known for their 3D videos of traditional nursery rhymes as well as their rhymes for children. The channel has 150 million subscribers.

    SET India

    SET India is an Indian-based YouTube channel. They post videos in Hindi. The channel concentrates on entertainment. SET India has 149 million subscribers.

    MrBeast

    MrBeast is the YouTube channel of Jimmy Donaldson. He is an American YouTuber, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. His genre includes comedy, entertainment, and gaming. His YouTube channel has 125 million subscribers.

    Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (PewDiePie)

    PewDiePie is a Swedish YouTuber. His channel has 111 million subscribers. It is an entertainment channel mostly known for its gaming and comedies.

    Kids Diana Show

    Kids Diana Show is a YouTube channel that focuses on kids. The Ukrainian-based YouTube channel has 106 million subscribers.

    Like Nastya

    Like Nastya is a YouTube channel hosted by a Russian YouTuber. It is the single most viewed channel owned by a YouTuber. The YouTube channel posts videos on entertainment for children, and has 103 million subscribers.

    WWE

    WWE is an American-based YouTube channel. It comes under the category of sports and the channel posts videos on wrestling. WWE has 92.4 million subscribers.

    List of Biggest Media Companies in the World
    The participation of mass media enterprises such as commercial, printpublication, digital media, motion pictures and news, make media companies themost powerful. In the early 1980, over 90% of the media in America was run byalmost 50 different companies. But in 1992 the number dropped to less tha…
    StartupTalkyKimi Dutta

    Vlad and Niki

    Vlad and Niki is a YouTube channel that features two brothers. It is the English Channel that concentrates on the entertainment sector. The YouTube channel has 91.9 million subscribers.

    Zee Music Company

    Zee Music Company is an Indian YouTube channel. It comes under the subsidiary of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. The channel posts Hindi videos and has 91 million subscribers.

    Blackpink

    Blackpink is a YouTube channel formed by YG entertainment. It is a South Korean YouTube channel with a girl group. They concentrate on the music sector and their YouTube channel has 83.6 million subscribers.

    Goldmines telefilms

    Goldmines telefilms is an Indian film company that specializes in dubbing movies. Goldmines telefilms have 80.3 million subscribers on its YouTube channel.

    5-Minute Crafts

    5-Minute Crafts is a YouTube channel which is owned by The Soul Publishing. They concentrate on DIY, life hacks, how-to videos, etc. The YouTube channel has 78.2 million subscribers.

    New Guidelines for OTT Platforms Explained
    OTT platforms have been growing in India at a fast pace. The OTT market in Indiais expected to emerge as the world’s sixth-largest by 2024. The OTT market isalso expected to grow at a CAGR of 28.6% in the next four years. There arecurrently about 40 providers of over-the-top-platforms (OTT) in th…
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Sony SAB

    Sony SAB is an Entertainment channel. This Indian has over 75.3 million subscribers. The contents of this channel are in Hindi.

    BangtanTV

    BangtanTV is a South Korean Music channel with over 72.6 million subscribers. The primary language of this channel is Korean.  

    Justin Bieber

    Justin Bieber is one of the most popular Singers. He is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His YouTube channel has 70.7 million subscribers.

    Hybe Labels

    Hybe Labels is a South Korean YouTube channel which is owned by Hybe Corporation. They have a collection of videos on music and the most famous music video of Hybe labels is Dynamite with over 1.6 billion views. The YouTube channel has 69.3 million subscribers.

    Canal KondZilla

    Canal KondZilla is the largest YouTube channel in Brazil and Latin America. He is a Brazilian YouTuber who is a screenwriter and director. His YouTube channel has 66.3 million subscribers.

    Zee TV

    Zee TV is a YouTube channel which is owned by the Essel Group in India. They post entertainment-based videos in Hindi. The YouTube channel has 65 million subscribers.

    Business Model of Short Video Platforms Explained
    The consumption of Short is increasing Worldwide. Short video Platforms are onthe trend. As TikTok was the most used Short Video Platform in India which hadbeen downloaded over 611 million times in India. With the introduction of Jio, the mobile data prices have dropped, the androidphones with …
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Pinkfong

    Pinkfong is a South Korean educational channel. It has over 63.6 million subscribers. The primary language of this channel is English.

    Dude Perfect

    Dude Perfect is an American YouTube channel. They are mostly concentrated on sports and comedy. Their YouTube channel contains sports-related videos. The YouTube channel has 58.5 million subscribers.

    Movieclips

    Movieclips is an American YouTube channel. They offer trailers and streaming videos of movie clips from various Hollywood film companies. The YouTube channel has 58.4 million subscribers.

    Marshmello

    Marshmello is the official name of Christopher Comstock. He is an American electronic music producer and DJ. His YouTube channel has 56.1 million subscribers.

    Conclusion

    The above list of the top YouTube channels around the globe is based on the subscriber number in 2022. You can find some of the best and most popular content in the list.

    FAQs

    Which is the most subscribed YouTube channel?

    With over 232 million subscribers, T-Series is the most-subscribed channel so far.

    Which is the most-viewed YouTube video?

    With over 12 billion views, Baby Shark Dance is the most-viewed YouTube video, followed by Despacito (8.05 Bn views).

    Who is the highest-paid YouTube star?

    Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast is the highest-paid YouTube star in 2022.

    Who is India’s No 1 YouTuber?

    As per this report, Ajey Nagar, a popular comedy content creator, and gamer popularly known as CarryMinati is the top individual YouTuber from India.

    Which are the most-subscribed Youtube channels?

    Here is the list of the top 10 most-subscribed Youtube channels:

    • T-Series
    • Cocomelon
    • Sony Entertainment Television India
    • MrBeast
    • PewDiePie
    • Kids Diana Show
    • Like Nastya
    • WWE
    • Vlad and Niki
    • Zee Music Company

  • How Agentsync Is Changing the Game in Insurance Technology?

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by AgentSync.

    Gone are the days when the insurance industry operated using a traditional, in-person approach. With technology affecting all aspects of the corporate world, the insurance industry is no exception. Several companies now deploy technological innovations to make the insurance industry model cost-effective and efficient.

    Now that the insurtech market is enormous, lucrative, and still developing, it is a prime space for technologically advanced companies to attack. AgentSync is one such ‘compliance as a service’ company that has been leading the insurance industry since 2018.

    Here we’ve compiled the important details of the company- its startup story, founders, funding, investors, achievements, and more.

    AgentSync – Company Highlights

    Company Name AgentSync
    Headquarters Denver, Colorado, United States
    Primary Industry Insurance
    Founders Niranjan "Niji" Sabharwal and Jennifer Knight
    Founded In 2018
    Website Agentsync.io

    AgentSync – About
    AgentSync – Industry
    AgentSync – Founders and Team
    AgentSync – Startup Story
    AgentSync – Mission and Vision
    AgentSync – Business Model
    AgentSync – Revenue Model
    AgentSync – Products and Services
    AgentSync – Funding and Investors
    AgentSync – Mergers and Acquisitions
    AgentSync – Growth
    AgentSync – Partners
    AgentSync – Awards and Achievements
    AgentSync – Competitors
    AgentSync – Future Plans

    AgentSync – About

    AgentSync is a developer of modern insurance infrastructure involved in connecting carriers, agencies, MGAs, and producers. The customer-centric design approach, along with APIs, automation, and premium quality service, enables AgentSync solutions to create onboarding, licensing, and appointing processes for insurers and producers while ensuring growth and compliance.

    AgentSync – Industry

    The insurance market is home to enterprises involved in researching, designing, and selling different types of insurance and analyzing and monitoring insurance data. The global insurance market size was estimated at $5946.74 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $8603.8 billion in 2027, with a CAGR of 7.4% during 2023-2027.

    Moreover, the rapid growth in internet penetration has led to the emergence of insurtech. The term insurtech combines two words, ‘insurance’ and ‘technology.’ It refers to using technology innovations to find cost-savings and efficiency from the conventional insurance industry model.

    The global insurtech market size was estimated at $5.45 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 52.7% from 2023 to 2030.

    Allianz Group, Axa Group, China Life Insurance, Anthem Inc, and Ping An Insurance are the major companies in the insurance industry. When it comes to the insurtech global market, ZhongAn, Oscar Health, Next insurance, and Wipro Limited are the top players.

    AgentSync – Founders and Team

    Niranjan “Niji” Sabharwal and Jennifer Knight are the company’s co-founders.

    AgentSync Founders - Jennifer Knight and Niranjan Sabharwal
    AgentSync Founders – Jennifer Knight and Niranjan Sabharwal

    Niranjan “Niji” Sabharwal

    Niranjan “Niji” Sabharwal graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Arts, Business economics. Before co-founding and holding the CEO role, he worked at LinkedIn and Zenefits.

    Jennifer Knight

    Jennifer Knight graduated from Boston University with a degree in BA, International Relations. She has worked in multiple companies, including Bluewolf, LinkedIn, Dropbox, and Stripe, before holding the role of co-founder and CTO in AgentSync.

    When it comes to the company’s team, AgentSync is working with an entirely onshore team with approximately 250 employees.

    AgentSync – Startup Story

    The idea of establishing AgentSyn was born during Niranjan “Niji” Sabharwal’s time at Zenefits. Sabharwal was focused on rebuilding Zenefits in a more compliant fashion. Thus, he built software that helped track agent complaints, a project which was later open-sourced and released by Zenefits.

    AgentSync was formed after Sabharwal left Zenefits to establish his own company with his partner, Jennifer Knight. Zenefits signed the IP from the earlier project over to Sabharwal before his team created any code for AgentSync. It allowed the company to get a clean start; thus, AgentSync was officially set up in 2018.

    In May 2022, the company launched a contracting solution for simplifying the carrier contracting experience. The Compliance library was launched in June 2022 to provide compliance information and updates to the insurance producer. Moreover, it launched the AgentSync ID – the industry’s first connected producer identity platform in September 2022.

    AgentSync – Mission and Vision

    The mission of the company is to revolutionize and modernize insurance companies.

    AgentSync – Business Model

    AgentSync is a ‘compliance as a service’ application built on Salesforce.com that helps insurance carriers and insurance agencies track insurance broker licensing data. Companies do not need to do this work with spreadsheets; instead, AgentSync’s products and solutions offer a faster method while reducing the chance of error.

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    This software automatically enforces state producer licensing and appointment regulatory requirements by integrating with the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) as a source of truth. The clients can minimize compliance costs and prevent regulatory violations by letting the application do the heavy lifting.

    AgentSync – Revenue Model

    The company earns revenue by charging per active agent its client has, with some price tiering based on the scale.

    AgentSync – Products and Services

    AgentSync is popular for offering 3 products, and these, are AgentSync Manange, AgentSync AutoPilot, and AgentSync APIs.

    AgentSync Self-Service Portal

    AgentSync – Funding and Investors

    AgentSync has undertaken 4 funding rounds in which it has raised a total of $111.1 million. Its latest funding round – Series B Round, was conducted on December 7, 2021, and raised a total of $75 million. Presently, the company is funded by 19 investors, and the main ones are Craft Ventures, Tiger Global Management, Anthemis Group, Valor Equity Partners, Caffeinated Capital, and Atreides Management.

    Date Round Number of Investors Money Raised Lead Investor
    December 7, 2021 Series B 6 $75 million Valor Equity Partners
    March 8, 2021 Series A 6 $25 million Craft Ventures, Elad Gil
    December 2, 2020 Seed Round 2 $6.7 million Craft Ventures, Elad Gil
    August 4, 2020 Seed Round 11 $4.4 million Caffeinated Capital, Elad Gil

    AgentSync – Mergers and Acquisitions

    The acquisitions of AgentSync include Finvera in 2021 and eContractPro in 2022.

    AgentSync – Growth

    The estimated annual revenue of AgentSync is $29.3 million ($127,598 per employee) in 2021. The company’s current valuation as of December 2021 stands at $1.2 billion. Moreover, its employee count increased by 219% last year, and the monthly website visit growth rate is reported to be -12.9%.

    AgentSync – Partners

    AgentSyn has partnered with other market leaders to expand its functionality. Its main partners are:

    • National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)
    • Salesforce
    • Varicent
    • DocuSign
    • Verified First
    • Accurate
    • LIMRA LOMA

    AgentSync – Awards and Achievements

    AgenSync is honored with multiple awards and achievements and is recognized as:

    • One of the Denver’s Best Places to Work
    • Forbes Magazine Cloud 100 Rising Star
    • An Insurtech Insights Future 50 winner
    • Ranked 88 in Forbes – America’s 500 Best Startup Employers 2022

    AgentSync – Competitors

    Some of its main competitors are:

    • Omnichannel
    • Sircon
    • regEd
    • SuranceBay
    • Rhoads online institute
    • Spyder
    • Certificate Hero
    • REG
    • Exdion

    AgentSync – Future Plans

    AgentSync declared that 2023 would be the year of compliance. The company is looking forward to managing compliance in a more technologically enabled way, as it’s crucial for the players across the insurance industry.

    FAQs

    What is AgentSync and what does the company do?

    AgentSync is an insurtech company that provides automated insurance compliance for agencies, brokers, and carriers. The platform helps manage licensing and appointment-related tasks.

    How is AgentSync modernizing the insurance industry?

    AgentSync is using cloud-based technology to simplify and automate insurance compliance, which helps insurance companies save time and resources while remaining compliant with regulations. This enables companies to focus more on growth and innovation.

  • Biggest Media Companies in the United States

    Media companies are thriving, especially digital media companies these days. Various advertisements are used to generate revenue by these companies: programmatic advertising, sponsorships, subscriptions, native promotions, and more. Furthermore, a lot of digital media companies are out there growing. Thanks to the increasing number of people using the internet and with the need to keep up with everything, the speed at which the internet works these days is increasing. 5G networks are rolling in offering more and better services.

    Advertising, broadcasting and networking, news, print and publication, digital, recording, motion pictures, events, and more, all of these specifications fall under the umbrella of two words: the media industry, with each having its unique way of working. But in today’s world, with the rapid development of new technology and the internet, the media industry has lived through much change itself. Some companies are revolutionizing how we look at and define media today.

    Every company is a media company – David Ogilvy

    People will continue to want to stay informed and entertained. Look at the top  Media companies that originated in the U.S.

    Microsoft
    Meta (Facebook)
    American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T)
    Walt Disney Company
    Netflix
    Alphabet Inc.
    Comcast Corporation
    Charter Communications

    Microsoft

    Founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen
    Founded in 1975
    Headquarters Redmond, Washington, United States
    Revenue $198.27 Bn (2022)
    CEO Satya Nadella

    Biggest Media Company | Microsoft
    Biggest Media Company | Microsoft

    History has witnessed a thirteen-year-old writing his first program on a teletype computer, a tic-tac-toe program in basic computer language purchased for the school by the mother’s club. This company right here does not need any introduction, nor does the co-founder of Microsoft, and philanthropist famous for creating history.

    Bill Gates has a history of excelling in his school, getting exemplary grades and scoring 1590 out of 1600 on a Scholastic Aptitude Test. Gates and Paul Allen later bonded in school over their love of computers, and the rest of the story is known to the world. Bill has worked with Steve Jobs and they did get along well. It is one of the lesser-known facts, but Microsoft rescued Apple in the year 1997 from running into bankruptcy.

    The organization is believed to be responsible for the emergence of the term “tablet”. It has been experimenting, leading to prototypes for its product designs. Microsoft has gained over 10,000 patents, applying for 3000 more per year. Also well known for its computers and gaming consoles.

    Recently there were alleged reports that Microsoft did try to buy Discord and Pinterest this year, and it shows the prominent role of the internet in the area of digital media. Here is a list of companies, right from social media platforms to interactive media companies that fall under the umbrella of Microsoft Corporation.

    • LinkedIn Corp.
    • Skype
    • GitHub
    • Mojang
    • aQuantive
    • ZeniMax Media Inc         ‌‌

    Meta (Facebook)

    Founder Mark Elliot Zuckerberg
    Founded in 2004
    Headquarters 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California
    Revenue $116.6 Bn (2022)
    CEO Mark Elliot Zuckerberg

    Biggest Media Company | Meta
    Biggest Media Company | Meta

    The most popular social networking app has rebranded itself as Meta. The most expensive acquisition that Facebook has ever made is that of WhatsApp. Facebook bought it for 19 million in the year 2014. Evolving the way we connect recently, Facebook has also rebranded itself as Meta. Metaverse is further changing how other platforms work as well with virtual and augmented reality.

    Facebook has acquired over 90 companies. The count is based on names that the company has disclosed. However, there may be more acquisitions that have not yet been announced.

    Some well-known companies acquired by Meta (Facebook) are as follows:

    • Instagram
    • Oculus VR
    • Onavo
    • Beluga
    • WhatsApp

    Media has taken on a whole new aspect with the introduction of the metaverse. This features virtual and augmented reality and the technologies associated with it that could boom in the coming years.            ‌‌             ‌‌

    American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T)

    Founders Alexander Graham Bell and Gardiner Greene Hubbard
    Founded in 1983
    Headquarters Dallas, Texas, U.S.
    Revenue $120.74 Bn (2022)
    CEO John T. Stankey

    Biggest Media Company | AT&T
    Biggest Media Company | AT&T 

    It ranks as the number one and largest communication company in the world by revenue and has over 100+ million U.S. mobile subscribers, according to the report for 2020. It has over 200 million subscribers worldwide. AT&T provides branded telephones, cabling systems, and consumer electronics.

    Representing quality in global communications, connecting people with 5G, internet & fiber, technology & innovation, and entertainment with Warner Media and its streaming platform HBO Max. This platform stands out as a strong brand. It is also the first company to offer a 5G network in the USA.

    Selling out premium content, which is a plus point to establish deeper relationships with its consumers, with storytelling, in turn, converting them into loyal customers.

    Their channel, CNN, reaches over 200 billion people. A deal between Warner Media and Discovery has also been struck to combine content and compete with Netflix and Disney.

    AT&T has 98 companies under its umbrella and some of them include:

    • HBO and Cinemax
    • Turner Entertainment Networks
    • Adult Swim and Cartoon Network
    • CNN News Group
    • DC Entertainment and Films

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    Walt Disney Company

    Founder Walt Disney and Walt O. Disney
    Founded in 1983
    Headquarters Burbank, California
    Revenue $82.7 Bn (2022)
    CEO Bob Chapek

    Biggest Media Company | Walt Disney
    Biggest Media Company | Walt Disney

    Providing entertainment to its audience, having a powerful vision and acquisition has got the Walt Disney Company where it is today. Disney also defines the world of animation. Back in 2019, it officially acquired 21st Century Fox. Now the media giant holds under these three categories various companies:

    Disney media and entertainment distribution

    Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Hotstar, Disney Music group

    Disney Studios

    Studios include Walt Disney Studios; Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, and Pixar Animation Studios. Marvel Studios. Lucasfilm, Disney theatrical group, 20th-century studios. Searchlight Pictures.

    General entertainment

    20th television studios, ABC entertainment; the ABC-owned television stations group, ABC News, ABC signature, Disney-branded television, freeform, FX, Hulu originals; National Geographic. The Walt Disney Company’s cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC.

    The amount of control over these companies by Disney depends upon the percentage of ownership it has over them.

    Most of Disney’s revenue is generated from:

    • Media networks
    • Park and resorts
    • Studio entertainment
    • Consumer products and interactive media

    Netflix

    Founders Reed Hastings, and Marc Randolph
    Founded in 1997
    Headquarters Los Gatos, California, U.S.
    Revenue $31.6 Bn (2022)
    CEO Ted Sarandos

    Biggest Media Company | Netflix
    Biggest Media Company | Netflix

    You can’t think of media without adding Netflix next to it, such as the established position it has acquired in the minds of everyone. Netflix changed the game when they introduced a subscription model in the year and no doubt is the competition of all the new platforms coming in wanting to not miss out on the streaming revolution that is making rounds.

    Starting as a DVD-by-mail business in the year 1997, it changed its business model over time. The revenue comes in from the subscription fees from the members; it had 192.95 million paid subscribers, according to reports from the second quarter of the year 2020. Another study revealed that most of its users are from the U.S. and Canada in 2021. As of now, it has over 231 million paid subscribers.

    Lastly, keep in mind that Netflix is exploring new areas and aiming to expand its empire in gaming. Releasing five games back in November, which are available on iOS and Google Play Store, Netflix is slowly taking the company to another level as it plans to release three new mobile games globally.             ‌‌             ‌

    Alphabet Inc.

    Founders Larry Page, and Sergey Brin
    Founded in 2015
    Headquarters Mount View, California
    Revenue $76 Bn (2022)
    CEO Sundar Pichai

    Biggest Media Company | Alphabet
    Biggest Media Company | Alphabet

    Alphabet Inc. the parent company of Google, was established in the year 2015, and co-founded along with Sergey Brin, who also serves as the Director, to make the core business of Google cleaner and more accurate. Alphabet Inc. identifies as a company that falls under the computer service industry. The holding company includes segments of Google: Google services, Google Cloud and Google Workspace.

    Google is involved in businesses like:

    • Engagement in advertisement
    • Sales of digital content
    • Applications
    • Cloud offerings

    Not to forget its hardware products, which are:

    • The pixel phones
    • Chromecast with Google TV
    • Google Nest Hub smart display‌‌

    Apart from this, Alphabet Inc. is also engaged in other segments. The most recent buzzing news is about the deal Verizon Communications signed with Alphabet Inc’s Google Cloud to use its 5G network, its computing powers, and more.

    Comcast Corporation

    Founder Ralph J. Roberts
    Founded in 1963
    Headquarters Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Revenue $121.43 Bn (2022)
    CEO Brian L. Roberts

    Biggest Media Company | Comcast
    Biggest Media Company | Comcast

    Comcast Corporation, the biggest cable TV and broadband provider company, has been a part of many firsts in history. David Sarnoff founded the first permanent radio network, NBC, in the year 1926, which brought the Olympics to the world with NBC covering it.

    In 2010, they opened the doors to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In 2018, Xfinity became the largest Gigabit Internet Provider in the United States in more than 58 million homes, which was faster than any other internet service provider at that time. 2020 had been the best year for Comcast for its broadband. And apart from this, some recent acquisitions in the past few years by Comcast include:

    • Sky
    • DreamWorks Animation
    • NBCUniversal

    They have also launched Peacock, Xfinity Flex, xFi, and more. The media and technology company also has won broadcasting rights for the Olympic games 2032 back in 2014.

    Charter Communications

    Founders Barry Babcock, Jerald Kent, and Howard Wood
    Founded in 1993
    Headquarters Stamford, Connecticut
    Revenue $54 Bn (2022)
    CEO Tom Rutledge

    Biggest Media Company | Charter Communications
    Biggest Media Company | Charter Communications

    Charter, which is a broadband and cable operating company, has served over 32 million customers with the help of its brand Spectrum. The services provided by Charter Communications Inc. are further divided into:

    • Spectrum networks
    • Spectrum Original
    • Spectrum Reach
    • Spectrum Business
    • Spectrum Enterprise

    With more than 30 Spectrum Networks Delivering Local News and Sports. It aims to be the broadband provider of the future that is fast and secure.

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    Conclusion

    The United States media industry is dominated by a handful of large conglomerates, including The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, AT&T, ViacomCBS, and Discovery, among others. These companies control various media outlets such as television networks, movie studios, streaming services, and publishing houses, enabling them to reach millions of people every day.

    While this concentration of power has led to concerns about media diversity and competition, these companies have also played a significant role in shaping American culture and influencing global media trends. As the media landscape continues to evolve and new technologies emerge, these companies will likely remain major players in the industry for years to come.

    FAQs

    What are the 5 biggest media companies?

    Some of the biggest media companies are:

    • Comcast
    • AT&T
    • Walt Disney
    • Netflix
    • Alphabet

    Which is the biggest media company in the US?

    Comcast is the biggest media company in the U.S.

    Who Owns the Media in the U.S.?

    U.S. media outlets are owned by 15 billionaires and six corporations.

  • India on the Rise: Achieving a $5 Trillion Economy

    After 75 years of independence from the British Raj, India has emerged as the fastest-growing and fifth-largest economy in the world. By the year 2020-2021, India’s per capita income has increased to INR 1.28 lakh. By August 2022, the country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves amounted to USD 572.97 billion and its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) rose to USD 3.5 trillion. India aspires to reach a USD 5 trillion economy by the year 2024-2025.

    Economic History
    Current Economic Status
    Way To USD 5 Trillion Economy
    Challenges & Obstacles
    Conclusion

    Economic History

    At the end of the 1st millennium BC, India was one of the largest economies around the globe which ended around the beginning of British rule. Under British rule, India experienced decentralization as well as the cessation of various craft industries. This coupled with accelerated economic and population growth in the west led to a steep decline in India’s share and by independence, the country’s GDP had been reduced to a mere 4.2%. India’s global industrial output also reduced from a towering 25% in the 1700s to a mere 2% in just a little over 200 years. The British left India in dire straits, dealing with a collapsing economy, poverty, high inflation, and an utter state of confusion.

    Post-independence, India adopted five-year plans concentrating on centralized economic and social growth programs. The first five-year plan focused on agriculture and irrigation and aimed to boost farm output and the second, launched in 1956 advocated rapid industrialization with a focus on heavy industries and capital goods. However, this caused the funds to be taken away from the agricultural sector leading to food shortages and inflation. In the 1960s Indian economy was worsened by the wars with China and Pakistan and the political instability within the country. This led to the devaluation of the Indian Rupee. Then, a little over two decades later came the oil crisis in 1991 resulting in a balance-of-payment crisis for the country. The global economic crisis of 2008 left the Indian economy deeply scathed and the country’s fiscal deficit rose to 6.4% of its GDP in 2009-2010.

    However, two economic events that have assured a place in history were the demonetization of 2016 and the implementation of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) in 2017. Demonetization was aimed at flushing out black money and striking out corruption and the introduction of GST introduced a uniform tax rate across all states paving the way for easier compliance.

    Current Economic Status

    Since the beginning of the 21st century, India’s annual average GDP growth has been around 6% to 7%. Between the years 2013 and 2018, India surpassed China and became the world’s fastest-growing economy. The country is the third largest unicorn base globally, being home to 100 unicorns that are collectively worth USD 335 billion. The country is also the third largest by PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) with an estimated USD 11.75 trillion.

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    Way To USD 5 Trillion Economy

    The country currently has strong economic fundamentals and is well on the road to becoming a USD 5 trillion economy. Various factors are working in favor of the country. These factors are –

    Diversified Economy

    India enjoys strong trade relations with many other countries. Its economy is well-diversified with healthy roots.

    New Technology Adoption

    In the past few years, India has quickly adopted newer technologies, especially in the manufacturing and financial sectors. This has led to higher quality and reduced production costs driving profitability. It has also led to increased investment in innovation.

    India's Gross Domestic Production
    India’s Gross Domestic Production 

    Increasing Off-Shore Opportunities

    As devastating as the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were, it has favored India, as the working culture shifted to remote teams. This led to developed nations finding it more cost-effective to work with people living in India.

    Young Average Age Population

    India’s youth population is the largest globally at approximately 356 million. This represents a high 64% working population that contributes to the country’s growth in GDP and per capita income.  It also presents a high consumer base for companies to thrive and grow.

    Shift to Renewable Energy

    India’s dependency on energy imports has lessened considerably with almost 40% of the country’s installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil fuel sources. This has reduced operational costs for businesses and individuals.

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    Challenges & Obstacles

    India’s fast growth has persisted even in the face of the globally crippling pandemic coronavirus. The country, however, is facing several challenges on the path to becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.

    Supply Chain Bottlenecks

    Developed economies resorted to distributing cash to households to combat the debilitating effects of the pandemic. The supply-chain bottlenecks resulting from the pandemic have also not eased. These have led to soaring inflation across the world, which is exacerbated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

    Interest Rate Increase by the Federal Reserve

    The Federal Reserve has increased the interest rates to combat rising inflation. However, these threaten economic growth and may cause ripple effects within India.

    Strengthening Dollar to Indian Rupee

    The US Dollar is consistently strengthening against the Indian Rupee adding to inflation and can have a negative impact as India purchases oil and other imports in this currency.

    EU Energy Crisis

    The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has led to a severe energy crisis in the European Union. This acts as a growth inhibitor.

    China’s Covid Policy

    At one time, leading the global economic growth, China has continued to announce restrictions due to its zero-covid policy making international trade difficult.

    Conclusion

    India’s growth is unprecedented and its march is strong and sure. However, challenges like generating employment, curbing inflation, increasing foreign direct investment into the country, and maintaining macroeconomic stability must be successfully dealt with to make a USD 5 trillion economy a reality.

    FAQs

    How does the Indian economy compare to other economies in the world?

    India is the world’s fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest by PPP(Purchasing Power Parity).

    What are the key policies and initiatives taken by the Indian government to boost economic growth?

    The Indian government has implemented policies such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India, Start-up India, GST, FDI liberalization, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to boost economic growth and development.

    What is the role of foreign investment in India’s economic development?

    Foreign investment has significantly contributed to India’s economic growth by providing capital and technology, improving productivity, and creating jobs. The Indian government has implemented policies to attract foreign investment, which has increased exports and skills in various sectors.

    What are the main sectors driving economic growth in India?

    The main sectors driving economic growth in India are services, agriculture, and manufacturing.

  • 5 Tips to Supercharge Your Manufacturing Startup

    The classic image of a startup revolves around the IT industry and many guides and tips are geared towards tech and programming ventures. However, startups can be found in many other industries and they are just as fascinating. Take for example the manufacturing sector which represents a sizable chunk of any economy and is always in need of innovative solutions and products. So if you are trying to find the best path to success for your manufacturing startup, we have 5 of the top tips to help you. Whether you are in the food, fashion, robotics, or engineering sectors you will find these ideas useful.

    Make sure you have the right product for current market conditions

    This might be self explanatory but many times founders may have more than one product idea in mind when starting out. So when you make the decision of what to move forward to, make sure you take into account as many factors as possible. Of course, it would be great if the product you are manufacturing is something you are passionate about, but don’t forget about objectivity. You want to bring to market a needed and innovative product. Just like in the tech sector, your manufacturing startup needs to address a clear and burning need to be successful and to do so in an inventive manner. Don’t forget about listening to feedback from those who use your products or goods. As you are starting out there is more room for changes and being flexible than later in the business cycle.

    Find the best monetization strategy and optimize costs

    Monetization is a big challenge for all founders but it doesn’t have to keep you up at night. With the right strategy in place, your startup can prove to be profitable quickly. Of course, the strategy will differ when you are building an app compared to when you are manufacturing a product. You don’t want to overprice it but you also need to make sure the market will adopt it at a price that’s right. Another aspect to keep in mind for a manufacturing startup is that you will likely have suppliers to pay to keep your production line moving. Or you might need to ship your products at a cost to you, so you need to have a constant cash flow available. And your monetization strategy should take into account all costs you incur as part of your manufacturing process which is quite different from a tech startup where often all you need is a good computer.

    Choose the right funding model

    There are a few funding models to consider when embarking on your startup journey. Many of the advantages and disadvantages of each apply no matter your industry but there are a few particularities to consider when you are a manufacturer. Take for example bootstrapping. Choosing this model allows you to grow at your own pace, but you might also end up running short on goods that you need to keep your manufacturing line going. And that may result in lost customers as you won’t be able to deliver on your orders. Or, on the contrary, you end up ordering too much of a product and block some of your much needed resources. On the other hand, you can opt for venture capital funding and you will likely have enough funds to keep manufacturing moving. However, your processes and staff might not be ready to move as fast as your supply as it is not easy to increase manufacturing quickly.

    Use software and apps to boost your operations

    Though you might be looking for ways to save on money until you scale your startup, there is one area where you shouldn’t apply the same mentality: getting the right software and apps to manage your manufacturing processes. With software providers such as Katana you can track your invento ry in real time and actually end up saving more time and money. It is never too early for efficient management of your inventory. Especially as you are just starting out, you want to ensure that your processes are running smoothly. And with quick onboarding time and user friendly features you can reap the benefits immediately.

    Always analyse and improve

    Analyzing processes and results can be often overlooked in a startup as you are focused on keeping production on the line. However, taking the time to analyze and optimize processes can have a significant impact on your results. This is where software solutions should come to your help again. Monitoring your manufacturing business, analyzing your costs and efficiency can be done easily if you have the data easily available. This means you don’t want to dig through Excel files and other documents to find the answers you need. All your data should be easily trackable.

    Running a successful manufacturing startup is not easy, but these tips can help you get a few steps closer to success.

  • Getting a Crypto Startup off the Ground – The Steps to Success

    The cryptocurrency industry has experienced tremendous growth over the past years, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and other crypto projects paving the path for entrepreneurs to launch their own crypto startups. Digital currencies went from being the underdog of the financial system to an increasingly appealing payment mechanism and investment venue. By the latest count, there are over 420 million crypto users worldwide, and a growing number of businesses and organizations have started accepting crypto payments or adding crypto to their investment portfolios.

    The prevalence of crypto exchanges like Binance where users can check the Bitcoin price in real-time and buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies with ease has also contributed to the rising popularity of this new asset class. This means there are more opportunities than ever for entrepreneurs to launch a lucrative business in this space and scale their venture in the years to come.

    As cryptocurrencies continue to inch closer to mainstream adoption, there’s certainly no shortage of profitable crypto business ideas to consider, from building a new cryptocurrency to establishing crypto exchange platforms, crypto payment gateways, crypto asset management services or legal and accounting services, and so on.

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    However, with more companies entering the fertile crypto land, the competition is also getting tougher, making it harder for newcomers to stand out from the crowd. Although barriers to entry are low and breaking into the crypto industry is relatively simple, growing your startup and setting it up for long-term success is not as easy. So, if you’re planning to dive into the crypto sphere and launch your own crypto business, here are a few aspects to keep in mind.

    Know what you’re getting into

    The cryptocurrency space is vast and complex and it’s only getting bigger in all respects. This means there are many ways you can make money with crypto, but you have to understand what cryptocurrencies are and how they function if you want to unlock these opportunities. Everyone has a rough idea of cryptocurrencies and their use cases, but most people don’t know much about what’s going on behind the scenes.

    If you want to break into an industry, especially one that’s as innovative and fast-paced as the crypto industry, you need to learn as much as you can about it. So, you’ll have to go beyond the basics and gain an in-depth understanding of digital currencies, the principles on which they are based, as well as the technology that underpins them.

    Find your niche

    After you’ve educated yourself on the blockchain and crypto-asset ecosystem and armed yourself with the right knowledge, you’ll be ready to take the leap and choose the path that you want to follow. The demand for crypto products and services is high at the moment, despite the market’s volatility, but you can’t possibly cater to everyone. You need to choose a specific niche for your startup and decide what type of product/service you want your business to provide.

    There are a few steps that can help you narrow down your options and identify the most profitable niche for you, as follows:

    • Identify your interest and skills
    • Conduct market research
    • Look for problems that require solving within the crypto industry
    • Analyze the competition
    • Determine the profitability of the niches you’re considering
    • Focus on a target audience
    • Find your unique selling point
    • Test your idea

    If after testing, your business idea receives a positive response, you can continue and develop it into a full-fledged business. If you don’t get the results you expected, you can tweak it until it matches your objectives, or you can start from scratch with a new business idea.

    Build a team to support your crypto startup

    Even if you manage to become a crypto expert, it’s still highly unlikely you’ll be able to get your startup off the ground without help. The success of a crypto project is largely determined by the team of developers or specialists working on it. That’s why you need to find talented individuals in the field and convince them to jump on board the project.

    But how do you do that when there’s such a high demand for skilled professionals in the crypto industry? Offering competitive salaries and benefits, sparking interest by providing challenging work and emphasizing career advancement opportunities can help you attract the right kind of people on your side. Working with a team of professionals that understand and uphold your vision will make it easier for you to get your message across and win over your audience.

    Attract investors

    It’s not just developers and customers that you need to attract for your crypto startup to thrive. You also need to make your business attractive to investors and secure the necessary funds to help your business grow. Networking and establishing relations or partnerships with other professionals and startups in your niche can open numerous opportunities in this respect. This will make investors come to you instead of you chasing them and vying for their attention.

    Additionally, you should be able to provide evidence of your startup’s potential, spend time developing a personalized pitch, provide accurate information about your business, and emphasize your uniqueness. This should help you attract the right kind of investors and increase your chances of building a strong crypto business.

    Set realistic expectations

    All startups come with a certain degree of risk, but starting a business in the crypto industry is a particularly risky endeavor, regardless of niche, due to the novelty and the inherent volatility of the market. Therefore, you need to be aware of the hazards you expose yourself to and get ready to face the massive swings in the market.

    Setting realistic business goals and having a contingency plan in place is key to reducing risks and keeping your business afloat in trying times. Keep in mind that crypto businesses are profitable in the long run, so don’t expect to see massive returns overnight.

    Launching a startup in the crypto space can be a wild ride, but it can also be an extremely rewarding one, so if you think you’ve got what it takes to make it into this booming industry, you should start preparing right now.

  • Hostinger – Success Story of the Employee-Owned Web Hosting Platform

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Hostinger.

    Revenue in the Web Hosting Segment is projected to reach $90.42 billion in 2023. With an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 12.42%, it is expected to reach $144.40 billion by 2027. With the internet and technological advancements, websites have almost become a part and parcel of life. There are over 1.13 billion websites, of which only around one-fifth are active. Over 70% of Small and Medium Businesses have started using websites to exhibit their profile and promote their products.

    Besides the rising needs, a major factor that impacted the growth of websites is the Web Hosting Platforms. A creation that once required immense knowledge of coding was now made in a matter of a few minutes by these companies. Their cheaper and more secure service paved the way for everyone willing to have a website. Hostinger is one such popular web hosting platform.

    Hostinger is a web hosting service platform that helps you to create and maintain websites quickly and in a simplified way. It was established in 2004 in Lithuania. This platform offers various services like shared hosting, cloud hosting, domain registrations, WordPress hosting, etc. Hostinger is one of the largest hosting service providers in the world.

    Hostinger – Company Highlights

    Company Name Hostinger
    Headquarters Kaunas, Lithuania
    Industry Web Hosting
    Founded 2004 (as Hosting Media), 2011 (Renamed as Hostinger)
    Founder Arnas Stuopelis
    Area served Worldwide
    Employees 1000+
    Website Hostinger.in

    Hostinger – About
    Hostinger – Key People and Team
    Hostinger – Startup Story
    Hostinger – Mission and Vision
    Hostinger – Business Model and Revenue Model
    Hostinger – Challenges Faced
    Hostinger – Funding
    Hostinger – Subsidiaries
    Hostinger – Growth
    Hostinger – Competitors
    Hostinger – Awards and Achievements

    About Hostinger

    Hostinger – About

    Hostinger is a web hosting and internet domain registering platform that also provides simple ways to create websites with just a click of a button. This company offers affordable, quick, and secure hosting services to its users. Hostinger is also helping customers with WordPress, Cloud, VPS, Minecraft, and Shared Hostings.

    Hostinger is an employee-owned company that was instituted in 2004. The company is based and headquartered in Kaunas, Lithuania, and has 3 other offices in Vilnius, Yogyakarta, and Florianopolis. Hostinger has over 29 million users around the world with an average of 15,000 new users every day. The company runs its operations in 178 countries to create a simplified platform for users to build websites and grow online.

    Hostinger – Key People and Team

    Arnas Stuopelis - CEO and Chairman, Hostinger
    Arnas Stuopelis – CEO and Chairman, Hostinger

    Hostinger is an employee-owned web hosting company that was established in 2004. An employee-owned company is a term used to refer to companies whose shares are owned by the employees of the same company. The other key people and team members involved in top management are listed below:

    • Arnas Stuopelis – CEO and Chairman
    • Balys Krikščiūnas – Chief Executive Officer (CTO)
    • Antanas Patašius – Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
    • Domantas Beržanskis – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
    • Gabija Jasiulionytė – Head of People
    • Žygintas Rimkus – Chief Product Officer
    • Daugirdas Jankus – Marketing Head

    Hostinger – Startup Story

    A group of people with the same ideas and goals joined together to create Hostinger. It was initially started with the name Hosting Media in 2004. Their main goal was to make the internet readily available to all people and let them host their websites. They wanted to provide their services for free without limitations.

    With this idea, Hostinger was bootstrapped in 2004. The company started doing well right from the beginning. The initial customers were so pleased by Hostinger’s service and they kept recommending this web hosting platform to their circle of family and friends. This ensured Hostinger’s success in the early days and also helped them grow faster than expected.

    Hostinger – Mission and Vision

    Hostinger’s mission is to create a platform that helps web developers easily create and run websites. It wanted to provide reliable, fast, and stable hosting services for customers. The company has a vision that enables people around the world to explore the power of the internet and capitalize on them to learn and grow.

    Hostinger – Business Model and Revenue Model

    As a web hosting company, Hostinger’s major focus is to provide hosting at a cheaper price with better quality and security. Unlike other competitors who offer many unlimited services for a higher subscription price, Hostinger takes a different path. It avoids unwanted bundling and excess add-ons of plans and services, thus enabling it to provide a low-cost service. The company’s 7 data centers located across the world help it to provide a reliable and quick service for its customers.

    Hostinger generates its revenue through subscription plans. The company offers multiple services in hosting and domain registrations, which have independent pricing plans for each of them. Hostinger also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its plans.

    Hostinger – Challenges Faced

    000webhost, a subsidiary of Hostinger faced a backslash in 2015. A major data breach resulted in the theft of around 13 million customers’ data. The company admitted that the breach was caused by hackers and necessary steps were taken to avoid more leaks. The web host was forced to block access to all customers temporarily and reset their passwords. The platform’s security was further enhanced after this issue and was made even more secure.

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    Hostinger – Funding

    In November 2004, a personal company named Hosting Media (today Hostinger) was bootstrapped in Kaunas, Lithuania. The company has survived successfully without raising funds for almost 16 years. Only in April 2021, a private equity company named ConHostinger led by the German entrepreneurs Jochen Berger and Thomas Strohe invested in Hostinger. They purchased approximately 31% of the company’s shares for an undisclosed sum from long-term employees.

    Hostinger – Subsidiaries

    Hostinger’s subsidiaries
    Hostinger’s subsidiaries

    This bootstrapped web hosting platform has established 5 subsidiaries so far. Here is the list of Hostinger’s subsidiaries:

    000webhost

    000webhost is the world’s first free web hosting provider launched by Hostinger in 2007. It offers services like website creation, SSL Certification, and WordPress hosting for free. 000webhost also has paid plans with additional features.

    Hosting24

    Hostinger established Hosting24 in 2008. It is a specialized company in web hosting that uses the popular cPanel platform to host websites. The company’s subscription plans come with the additional benefits of a free domain and SSL Certificate.

    Niagahoster

    This is another web hosting platform set up in Indonesia by Hostinger. Niagahoster was launched in 2013 as part of Hostinger International Ltd. to develop and build the company’s customer base around the country.

    Weblink is based in Brasil and was instigated as a part of the Hostinger group in 2014. This web hosting company offers services like Virtual Private Servers, cloud hosting, and WordPress hosting.

    Zyro

    Zyro was the latest addition to the list of subsidiaries of Hostinger. It was founded in 2019 and is based in Kaunas, Lithuania, the same as the parent company. Its main purpose is to help small businesses enter and succeed in the online world.

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    Hostinger – Growth

    Beginning in 2004 as a bootstrapped startup, Hostinger’s journey for over a decade and a half contained more growth and expansion. Reaching from 0 to 29 million users in 17 years was their first achievement. This growth of the company was evident right from the beginning. With 3 offices and 7 global data centers, Hostinger has grown to be one of the largest Web Hosting companies in the world.

    Hostinger started expanding its operations in 2008 by establishing various subsidiaries across the world. These companies helped Hostinger secure a strong customer base in around 178 countries. It took 6 years to reach 1 million users in 2010 and another 4 years to reach 10 million. Now, with over 29 million users, the company’s growth trajectory is showing 2x growth in the past few years. To add a feather to the hat, Hostinger made its way into the annual list of FT 1000’s ranking on Europe’s fastest-growing companies in 2020.

    Hostinger – Competitors

    As the popularity and demand for websites grow, many web hosting platforms have entered the market. Hostinger has got multiple popular competitors offering the same services, at times even surpassing theirs. But when it comes to price, Hostinger offers a better service at an affordable price. Here are some of the top competitors for Hostinger:

    • Bluehost
    • DreamHost
    • HostGator
    • GoDaddy
    • A2 Hosting

    Hostinger – Awards and Achievements

    FinancesOnline, a respectable analytical platform lauded Hostinger as an Outstanding Hosting Service for the year 2021. It also presented them with two prestigious awards on the same occasion. Also in 2018, Hostinger was recognized with awards for Great User Experience and 2018 Rising Star. Hostinger was ranked 890 among the 1000 fastest-growing companies in Europe by Financial Times.

    Conclusion

    Hostinger is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting services at affordable prices. They offer shared hosting, Cloud hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated server hosting. They are known for their user-friendly interface, reliable uptime, and fast loading speeds. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support. Overall, Hostinger is a great option for individuals and small businesses looking for affordable and reliable web hosting services.

    FAQs

    What is Hostinger?

    Hostinger is a web hosting and internet domain registering platform that also provides simple ways to create websites with just a click of a button.

    Who are the competitors of Hostinger?

    Some of the top competitors of Hostinger are:

    • Bluehost
    • DreamHost
    • HostGator
    • GoDaddy
    • A2 Hosting

    When was Hostinger founded?

    Hostinger is based in Kaunas, Lithuania, and was established in the year 2004.

    Who is the CEO of Hostinger?

    Balys Krikščiūnas is the CEO of the Hostinger.

    Who owns Hostinger?

    Hostinger is an employee-owned web hosting service platform.