Glance, India’s fastest growing and the third-largest content platform, today announced the acquisition of Roposo, a Tiger Global and Bertelsmann backed short-video platform. As a result of this acquisition, Glance will get access to Roposo’s extensive network of professional, vernacular content creators and more than 42 million users. The acquisition also gives Glance ownership of Roposo’s video technology, platform and brand.
Roposo, founded by three IIT Delhi alumni, offers a TV-like interface that allows users to watch videos in 10 languages and across 24 channels that are powered by a pan-India network of regional influencers. The acquisition of the platform will enable Glance to tap into Roposo’s regional influencers and create professional vernacular, video content in line with Glance’s editorial guidelines for the lock screen.
Nearly 60% of Glance users in India belong to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and spend an average of 22 minutes per day consuming content in a language of their choice. Glance currently provides content in 4 languages that include Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, besides English.
“Most of India wants high-quality video content in vernacular since only 10% of India speaks English,” said Naveen Tewari, Founder and CEO at InMobi Group. “Glance’s focus on 3Vs – video content across a variety of topics in vernacular – has already made it India’s fastest growing content platform. This acquisition will enable Glance to bring to the fore content created by Roposo’s large vernacular influencer community.”
Glance, which had announced an investment of $45 million from Mithril Capital in September 2019, has been growing rapidly since its first shipment in Q2 2018. It is integrated with the native user experience on most Android smartphones from India’s leading mobile brands. Glance has more than 60 million daily active users (DAUs) as of November 2019, up from 50 million DAUs in September 2019.
About Glance
Glance is the world’s first screen zero platform, enabling consumers to experience the best of the internet on screen zero of their smartphones and other connected devices. Glance’s AI-powered personalization enables consumers to enjoy content, products, and services of their choice, all delivered in an intuitive and visually stunning format. Glance is a free-to-use, zero ad platform. The Internet Starts Here is a trademark of Glance. For more information visit www.glance.com.
About InMobi Group
InMobi Group’s mission is to power intelligent, mobile-first experiences for enterprises and consumers. Its businesses across advertising, marketing, data and content platforms are shaping consumer experience in a world of connected devices. The group’s portfolio companies include InMobi Marketing Cloud for CMOs, TruFactor which offers Intelligence-as-a-Service for data scientists, and Glance, the world’s first Screen Zero platform. InMobi Group has been recognized on both the 2018 and 2019 CNBC Disruptor 50 list and as one of Fast Company’s 2018 World’s Most Innovative Companies.