Olympic Glory to Startup Story: Neeraj Chopra Invests in OTT Platform

After Bollywood celebrities and cricketers, it's now the Olympians who are venturing into the startup landscape. Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has entered the startup world by investing in the regional streaming platform Stage.

बोलियों की क्रांति यानी STAGE APP के साथ investment और दिल दोनों से जुड़ रहा हूं, अब हम शर्म से नहीं बल्कि गर्व से बोलेंगे अपनी बोली, क्योंकि बोलियाँ ही हमारी असली पहचान है। #BoliyonKiKranti@HaryanviSTAGE@RajasthaniSTAGEpic.twitter.com/Ks75vtcy2K

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) November 27, 2023

Empowering Voices and Preserving Cultural Heritage

In a surprising move, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has stepped into the world of startups by investing in the regional streaming platform, Stage. Launched in 2019, the over-the-top (OTT) platform has already garnered over six million installs and boasts a community of more than 5.5 lakh paying subscribers.

A Platform Rooted in Diversity

Stage sets itself apart by catering to local dialects and languages, offering a diverse range of content spanning from movies to poetry to motivational material. The platform's focus on linguistic diversity aims to celebrate the rich tapestry of regional cultures, bringing forth content that resonates with audiences on a more personal level.

It's A Vision for Cultural Preservation

Neeraj Chopra, known for his achievements on the global stage, expressed his passion for preserving cultural identity through this investment. "Cultural preservation and pride in where we come from are woven into the fabric of our identity," Chopra stated.

"My investment in Stage represents more than just a desire to rekindle the flames of our diverse regional dialects. We will embark on a journey together to reawaken dormant languages and empower every voice, ensuring that our cultural heritage thrives in its true form through this platform."

Call From From the Roots

The announcement of Neeraj Chopra's partnership with Stage took place at the athlete's ancestral village of Khandra in Panipat.

Vinay Singhal, the CEO, and Co-Founder of Stage, expressed excitement about this collaboration. 

"We believe in the compelling force of storytelling and the unifying potential of regional content. Neeraj Chopra's involvement adds an impactful and relevant dimension to our mission, and we are elated to welcome him aboard."

Strategic Partnership for Cultural Empowerment

Divyanshu Singh, COO of JSW Sports, emphasized the strategic nature of the partnership. "Neeraj is a global icon who remains very local and connected to his roots. He has done immensely well for our country at the international level, but he has stayed true to his personality, and from that perspective, we feel that this is a very strategic partnership. His coming on board as an investor with Stage, which is a very dialect-centric OTT platform, is very relevant to him and the brand. It's a long-term association."

Long-Term Impact on Regional Content

Neeraj Chopra's entry into the startup world marks not only a personal investment but a commitment to the preservation and promotion of regional languages and cultures. As Stage continues to thrive with its dialect-centric approach, Chopra's involvement is expected to bring about a long-term impact, ensuring that the platform becomes a beacon for cultural empowerment through diverse and regional content.

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