Podcasts have witnessed a surge in popularity in India, becoming a staple for many during their daily commutes and now serving as a platform for creating and consuming content.

In light of this trend, two Indian entrepreneurs, Ronit Roy and Garima Surana, have unveiled a new venture called Podcash, aiming to create a marketplace for podcasters, brands, and users to connect and collaborate.

The Genesis of Podcash

Scheduled to be officially launched early next year, Podcash is envisioned as a comprehensive, data-driven discovery platform facilitating connections between podcast producers and advertisers, enabling content monetization.

Ronit Roy, one of the co-founders, emphasizes Podcash’s mission to simplify podcast discovery and foster podcaster growth by facilitating collaborations with suitable partners. The platform aims to address prevalent queries in India surrounding podcast sponsorship and monetization, reflected in its name, Podcash.

Garima Surana, Roy’s co-founder and a seasoned podcast host with 50 episodes and 100,000 listens to her credit, underscores the significance of brand collaborations in podcasting. Drawing from her own podcasting experience, Surana recognizes the untapped potential of the Indian podcast market and envisions Podcash as a catalyst for global engagement and collaborative monetization efforts.

The Thriving Indian Podcast Landscape

India’s podcast industry is experiencing exponential growth, emerging as the third-largest market globally, trailing only behind the US and China. According to a PwC report, the number of podcast listeners in India is projected to soar from four crore in 2018 to over 17 crore by 2023.

While established players like Apple and Spotify contribute to the podcast boom, several Indian podcast startups are also making significant strides. Platforms such as Headfone, vernacular-focused Aawaz.com, and directory platform Hubhopper are among the notable contenders in the burgeoning Indian podcast ecosystem.