Short learning video platform Seekho reported explosive growth in the fiscal year ending March 2025, with its operating revenue rising more than twelvefold year-on-year. However, the rapid expansion came with heavy marketing spending that significantly increased the company’s losses.
According to financial statements filed with the Registrar of Companies, the Bengaluru-based startup generated Rs 141.5 crore in revenue from operations in FY25, compared with just Rs 11.5 crore in FY24.
Despite the strong revenue growth, the company spent more than Rs 134 crore on advertising and marketing during the same period. This aggressive spending strategy pushed its net losses up more than eight times to Rs 39 crore.
Rapid Growth for the Short Learning Platform
Founded in 2020, Seekho operates a short-form learning video platform that provides educational content across multiple subjects. The platform offers lessons in English, Hindi, and several regional languages, making it accessible to a broad audience across India.
Its content covers a wide range of topics including business skills, technology tutorials, preparation for government exams, personal development, and mobile application usage guides.
The platform targets students, working professionals, and general learners looking for quick and practical learning resources.
The company’s rapid growth reflects increasing demand for bite-sized educational content that can be consumed quickly on mobile devices.
Subscription Revenue Drives Business
Seekho primarily generates revenue through subscriptions paid by users who want access to its learning content.
Subscription income accounted for the majority of the company’s operating revenue in FY25. A smaller portion of revenue came from advertising on the platform.
In addition to operating income, Seekho also reported Rs 1.9 crore in non-operating income during the fiscal year. Most of this came from interest earned on bank deposits.
When combined, the company’s total income reached approximately Rs 143.5 crore in FY25.
Marketing Spend Becomes the Largest Expense
Marketing and advertising expenses were by far the biggest cost for the company during the fiscal year.
Seekho spent Rs 134.2 crore on marketing in FY25, accounting for about 75 percent of its total expenses. The spending represents an increase of more than 11.5 times compared with the Rs 11.6 crore spent on marketing in FY24.
This aggressive marketing push appears to have played a major role in the platform’s rapid user growth and revenue expansion.
However, the scale of the spending has also raised questions about the sustainability of the company’s growth strategy.
Many consumer internet companies in India rely heavily on marketing to attract users in the early stages of growth. These investments are often aimed at building brand awareness and expanding the user base before focusing on profitability.
Employee Costs Also Increased
Apart from marketing, employee expenses were another major cost for the company.
Seekho’s employee benefit expenses rose to Rs 23.4 crore in FY25. A large portion of this included Stock Appreciation Rights valued at Rs 14.3 crore.
Stock Appreciation Rights are a type of compensation that allows employees to benefit from the increase in the company’s share value over time. Since these are non-cash incentives, they do not involve immediate cash payouts but are recorded as expenses in financial statements.
Such incentives are commonly used by startups to attract and retain skilled employees while managing cash flow.
Losses Rise Sharply
While the company achieved strong revenue growth, its heavy spending led to a significant increase in losses.
Seekho’s net loss grew more than eight times to Rs 39 crore in FY25.
This rise in losses reflects the company’s strategy of prioritizing growth and user acquisition over short-term profitability.
Startups in the digital education and content space often adopt similar approaches during their expansion phase, investing heavily in marketing, product development, and content creation.
Funding and Valuation Boost
The company’s strong growth story has also attracted investor interest.
In September 2025, Seekho raised $28 million in funding at a valuation of $180 million.
The investment came shortly after the company reported its impressive 12X revenue growth, highlighting investor confidence in the platform’s potential.
The funding is expected to help Seekho continue expanding its content library, improve its technology platform, and reach more users across India.
Growing Demand for Micro-Learning Platforms
Seekho’s rapid growth reflects a broader trend in digital education known as micro-learning.
Micro-learning platforms provide short, focused lessons that users can complete in a few minutes. This format is especially popular among mobile-first users who prefer quick learning sessions rather than long lectures.
The model has gained traction in India due to increasing smartphone penetration and rising demand for practical skill development.
Short learning platforms often focus on practical knowledge such as business skills, digital tools, exam preparation, and personal productivity.
The Challenge Ahead
While Seekho’s growth numbers are impressive, the company will eventually need to balance expansion with financial sustainability.
High marketing spending can drive rapid user growth, but maintaining such levels of spending over the long term may not be feasible.
As the platform matures, investors will likely expect improvements in profitability and more efficient user acquisition strategies.
Reducing marketing costs, increasing subscription conversions, and expanding revenue streams could be key steps in that direction.
What’s Next for Seekho
With fresh funding and a growing user base, Seekho is likely to continue investing in content, technology, and marketing to strengthen its position in the online learning market.
India’s digital education sector remains highly competitive, with several startups and platforms offering skill-based courses, exam preparation programs, and professional learning tools.
Seekho’s short-video learning format gives it a unique position in this market, appealing to users who prefer quick, mobile-friendly educational content.
If the company can maintain strong user engagement while improving its financial efficiency, it may continue to grow rapidly in the coming years.
