Matrubharti

Matrubharti operates as a self-publishing platform focused on vernacular literature, providing a space for writers to publish their work in various Indian regional languages. The company was founded in 2015 by Mahendra Sharma, who serves as the CEO. Prior to launching Matrubharti, Sharma accumulated over 15 years of experience in the IT and media industries, working with companies like Cybage and Zensar Technologies. This background in technology and media provided the foundation for creating a digital platform for Indian language content. The idea for Matrubharti emerged from Sharma's observation of his mother's passion for reading and writing in her native language, and the concurrent rise of smartphones and affordable data in India.

The platform targets a vast market of regional language readers and writers, offering content in languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. It hosts a substantial library of over one million pieces of content, including eBooks, short stories, poems, and audiobooks, contributed by more than 250,000 authors. For readers, Matrubharti offers a freemium model; they can access a significant portion of the content for free, while a premium subscription unlocks exclusive content and an ad-free experience. For writers, the platform provides a direct channel to publish their work, build an audience, and potentially monetize their content through royalties. The business generates revenue through multiple streams, including premium subscriptions from readers, paid content promotions for authors, and content syndication to other platforms like OTT services and television channels. A notable feature is the platform's algorithm, which assists writers with suggestions for cover designs, titles, and content improvements.

Matrubharti has achieved several milestones, including securing an undisclosed amount of seed funding in 2019 from the US-based accelerator program Fledge. It was also selected for Reliance Jio's GenNext Hub accelerator program, indicating industry recognition of its potential. The company has reported significant user engagement, with millions of stories downloaded and a substantial base of registered users. By digitizing regional literature and creating a community for vernacular writers and readers, Matrubharti addresses a significant gap in the digital content landscape of India.

Keywords: vernacular literature, self-publishing platform, regional languages, Indian content, digital books, author monetization, content syndication, freemium model, literary platform, storytelling