Biography of Vinay Singhal: Founder & CEO of STAGE- Entrepreneur
Biography of Vinay Singhal:
Vinay Singhal: From Humble Beginnings to Building STAGE
Vinay Singhal’s journey is a story of determination and
resilience, one that has taken him from the quiet corridors of a small village
to the bustling world of entrepreneurship. Born into a family with no history
of higher education, Vinay was the first in his family to attend school. With
little understanding of the outside world, he dreamt big and set his sights on
becoming the richest person on earth. This dream, however, was not easy to
achieve, but Vinay’s unwavering drive and commitment set him on a path to
success.
The Birth of Badlega Bharat
Vinay's entrepreneurial journey began in college, where he
co-founded "Badlega Bharat," an online organization aimed at raising
youth awareness about social issues. Along with his team, Vinay developed a
network of 300 volunteers who came together for various social causes. The
organization acted as a platform for spreading important messages, engaging
with the youth through both online and offline events. This early venture
sparked Vinay's interest in using digital platforms to create change.
WittyFeed: From College Idea to Viral Sensation
Vinay’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to create WittyFeed,
a viral content platform. In 2014, alongside co-founders Shashank Vaishnav and
Praveen Singhal, Vinay turned WittyFeed into a social media sensation. What
started as a simple Facebook page rapidly grew into one of India’s most popular
content platforms, generating millions of followers and gaining significant
recognition. By the end of 2016, WittyFeed had 120 million unique monthly
users, earning a reputation as India’s answer to BuzzFeed.
The Rise and Fall of WittyFeed
Despite its success, WittyFeed’s rise was abruptly cut
short. In November 2018, the company faced a devastating blow when Facebook
suddenly removed its official page, taking with it a massive chunk of their
audience. The founders were left in shock, grappling with the sudden loss of
their platform. "We got killed overnight without any particular reason by
Facebook," recalls Vinay. Despite their initial hope that it was just a
glitch, it became clear that Facebook was not going to offer any resolution.
Facing the Hard Truth: Almost Shutting Down
The loss of WittyFeed left the company on the brink of
collapse. With no clear explanation from Facebook and dwindling funds, the team
ran out of money by early 2019. At a critical point, Vinay and his co-founders
faced a tough decision: close down or keep fighting. The team gathered for a
town hall meeting and was given two choices—shut the company down immediately
or trust the founders to keep pushing forward. To their surprise, over half of
the employees decided to stay, despite receiving only a fraction of their
salaries.
The Comeback: Launching STAGE
Refusing to give up, Vinay and his team reimagined their
next move. They set out to build an OTT platform for Bharat, focusing on
creating a vernacular, dialect-based video streaming platform. This platform
would cater to the masses in India who wanted access to content in their
regional languages, something that Vinay felt was missing in the entertainment
industry. This vision led to the birth of STAGE, a platform built to serve
India’s diverse and evolving content needs.
STAGE: A Vernacular OTT Platform
STAGE was created with the mission to provide regional video
content to Bharat. The platform focuses on offering high-quality, relatable
content such as poetry, comedy, and storytelling in various Indian languages.
Available on Android devices, STAGE has quickly gained popularity by tapping
into the need for culturally relevant content in vernacular languages. The app
allows users to stream videos in their native dialects, making it accessible
and engaging for millions of Indians.
Raising Funds on Shark Tank India
In 2022, Vinay Singhal appeared on Shark Tank India Season
2, seeking an investment for STAGE. He pitched the idea of a vernacular OTT
platform that would cater to the growing demand for regional content. The
Sharks were impressed with the potential of STAGE and its unique positioning in
the market. Vinay asked for ₹3 Crores for 1% equity, valuing the company at
₹300 Crore. After some negotiations, the Sharks offered ₹1.5 Crores for 0.6%
equity and ₹1.5 Crores as debt at 12% interest, bringing the company’s
valuation down to ₹250 Crore.
Biography of Vinay Singhal: Founder & CEO of STAGE- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/OTT platform for regional content/STAGE story/Vinay S
The Success of STAGE
Despite the challenges, STAGE has become a success story.
Since its inception, the platform has seen over two million downloads and has
attracted more than one lakh paying customers. The company’s focus on
hyperlocal content has resonated with a growing audience in India, leading to
strong engagement. With backing from investors like Vijay Shekhar Sharma,
Ritesh Malik, and Blume Ventures, STAGE has positioned itself as a leading
player in India’s OTT industry.
The Journey from WittyFeed to STAGE
For Vinay, the journey from WittyFeed’s downfall to the
creation of STAGE was not easy. He had to navigate through personal and
professional challenges, including the fear and depression that came with
losing his first company. However, he found strength in his team, and their
belief in the idea of STAGE pushed them to continue. This resilience became the
foundation of STAGE’s success, as the team was determined to not let the
setback define them.
Building a Team That Believed in the Vision
Vinay’s ability to inspire his team played a crucial role in
the success of STAGE. During the tough times when WittyFeed was facing
financial difficulties, many employees chose to stay on board, accepting
reduced salaries in exchange for equity. This shared commitment to the vision
of the company helped build a strong and dedicated team that continues to push
the boundaries of success at STAGE.
The Support System: Overcoming the Tough Times
During the darkest days of his entrepreneurial journey,
Vinay found support from his family, team, and investors. Despite facing
enormous setbacks, the people around him believed in his vision and encouraged
him to keep going. The emotional support from his close circle helped him
overcome the toughest times, proving that entrepreneurship is not just about
business acumen, but also about emotional resilience.
Looking Ahead: The Future of STAGE
As STAGE continues to grow, Vinay’s vision for the platform
is clear. He wants to build a Netflix-like experience tailored to India’s vast
and diverse population, offering content in a wide range of regional languages.
With a strong foundation and continued backing from investors, STAGE is set to
revolutionize the OTT space in India, catering to the tastes and preferences of
Bharat’s vast audience.
Lessons Learned from Vinay Singhal’s Journey
Vinay Singhal’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and
the power of community. His journey teaches aspiring entrepreneurs the
importance of persistence, adaptability, and believing in a vision even when
faced with adversity. The key to success lies in not just having a great idea,
but also in being able to bounce back from failures and adapt to changing
circumstances. Vinay’s journey is a testament to the power of never giving up
on your dreams.
A timeline for Vinay Singhal's entrepreneurial journey:
Early Years – Vinay is the first in his family to attend
school, dreaming of becoming the richest person on earth.
College (Badlega Bharat) – Vinay co-founds "Badlega
Bharat," raising awareness about social issues and engaging youth.
2014 (WittyFeed Launch) – Vinay co-founds WittyFeed, a viral
content platform, with co-founders Shashank Vaishnav and Praveen Singhal.
2016 – WittyFeed reaches 120 million unique monthly users,
becoming a leading social media platform in India.
November 2018 – WittyFeed loses its Facebook page, causing a
significant blow to its audience and business.
2019 (Near Shutdown) – WittyFeed faces near collapse; the
team decides to fight on despite financial struggles.
Post-2019 (STAGE Development) – Vinay and his team develop
STAGE, a vernacular OTT platform for regional content.
2022 (Shark Tank India) – Vinay pitches STAGE on Shark Tank
India, securing investment from the Sharks, with a revised valuation of ₹250
Crore.
2023 – STAGE reaches over 2 million downloads and 100,000
paying customers, solidifying its position in the OTT market.
2024 – Vinay aims to create a Netflix-like experience
tailored to India’s diverse regional audience through STAGE.
