Koo is an Indian microblogging and social networking service based in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.[1][2][3] Formerly known as Ku Koo Ku,[4] it won the government of India's Atmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge in August 2020.[5] As of 2021, it is valued at over $100 million.[6]
History
Koo was first launched in Kannada[7] and supports Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese[8] and Marathi. In February 2021, a cybersecurity expert showed a data breach on the app, but the company rejected the claim.[9]
According to statistics provided by analytics provider Sensor Tower, the Koo saw 2.6 million installs from Indian app stores in 2020, compared to 28 million installs observed for Twitter. From February 6 to February 11, the installations of Koo increased rapidly. The app increased in popularity after a weeklong standoff between Twitter and the Indian government over Twitter's refusal to block accounts the government had flagged for spreading disinformation during the 2020–21 Indian farmers' protest.[10] Following this standoff, many Cabinet Ministers such as Piyush Goyal and various government officials moved to Koo, which saw a surge in user base.[10] In April 2021, Ravi Shankar Prasad became the first minister with 1 million followers on Koo.[11]
Koo became an alternative to Twitter in Nigeria after the country indefinitely banned Twitter for deleting a tweet by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.[12] The government of Nigeria created their official account on 10 June 2021.[13]
Interface and features
Logo
Koo's logo is a yellow bird. The design of the bird was streamlined on 14 May 2021.[14]
Format, interface and features
Koo's interface is similar to that of Twitter, allowing users to categorize their posts with hashtags and tag other users in mentions or replies. Koo uses a yellow and white interface.[15][16]
On 4 May 2021, Koo introduced a new feature called "Talk to Type" which allows its users to create a post with the app's voice assistant.[17]
Koo gives a yellow tick when an account is verified.[18][19]
On August 4 2021, Dark theme was introduced for the app.
Funding
Venture capital firms such as Tiger Global, Kalaari Capital, and IIFL have invested in the app.[6] Shunwei Capital sold its whole stake in Koo by March 2021.[20]
As of May 2021, Koo has investors including Accel Partners, Kalaari Capital,[5] Blume Ventures, Dream Incubator, 3one4 Capital, Blume Ventures, IIFL and Mirae Assets. On 26 May 2021, Koo said in a statement that it has raised $30 million (about ₹218 crore) in Series B funding, led by Tiger Global.[21][22][23] After raising $30 million from Tiger Global, Koo's valuation increased, reaching over $100 million, up from about $25 million in February.[24]
References
- ↑ Will double headcount; lot of headroom for growing user base: Koo. The Hindu(2021-05-09). Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ↑ Indian entrepreneurs back Koo app as Chinese investor exits. The Economic Times(2021-02-12). Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- ↑ Desi microblogging platform Koo will have to cover a lot of ground to be Twitter alternative(10 February 2021). Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ↑ Chingari, YourQuote and Koo are the winners of the Aatmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge. Indulge Express(31 August 2020).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Koo Has A Chinese Investor Who Is Exiting, Says Founder Aprameya Radhakrishna. Moneycontrol(11 February 2021).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Koo's valuation rises five times in three months in new funding round. The Economic Times(26 May 2021). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ↑ Koo is now the largestmicro blog in Kannada. The Hindu(24 September 2020). Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ↑ Nomoskaar Assam! Koo launches app in Assamese as Twitter comes under fire. Zee News(2021-06-16). Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ French cyber expert shows data leak on Koo app, company denies any breach. Deccan Herald(2021-02-11). Retrieved 2021-05-09.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Twitter's clash with India government gives boost to local rival(17 February 2021).
- ↑ Ravi Shankar Prasad becomes first minister with 10 lakh followers on domestic Twitter "Koo"(9 April 2021).
- ↑ Explained: Nigerian govt joins Koo; what this means for Twitter's India-made rival. The Indian Express(14 June 2021). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ↑ Koo expands its wings, govt of Nigeria joins microblogging platform. Business Standard(10 June 2021). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ↑ Koo App: Homegrown social media app Koo launches new logo(13 May 2021).
- ↑ Made in India Twitter alternative Koo wins government's app innovation challenge in social category(7 August 2020).
- ↑ Twitter's clash with government gives boost to Koo app(17 February 2021).
- ↑ Koo Launches New 'Talk To Type' Feature For Indian Languages. Moneycontrol. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
- ↑ How to get Verified Account on Koo (Verified Account), Talakokkula, Karthik. Android Nature(2021-02-11). Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ↑ Like blue tick, Now Koo App will give Yellow Tick to verified users!(28 July 2021).
- ↑ Koo's Chinese investor sells entire stake. Times of India(18 March 2021).
- ↑ Koo raises $30mn funding led by Tiger Global. The Hindu(2021-05-26). Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ↑ Twitter under fire, Koo announces $30 million fundraise: why it's significant. The Indian Express(2021-05-26). Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ↑ Koo raises $30 million funding led by Tiger Global. India Today(2021-05-27). Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ↑ Tiger Global leads $30 million investment in Indian Twitter rival Koo. TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-06-02.