Archive · 9 Dec 2025
STAGE Completes INR 4.2 Crore Liquidity Event
STAGE, an OTT platform for regional languages in India, completed a INR 4.2 crore transaction.
This allowed eight early employees to sell some of their ESOPs, which they had earned for working at the company.
These employees joined when the idea of a regional OTT platform seemed risky.
Now, STAGE has over 6 million paying subscribers and plans to expand into Marathi and Gujarati markets in 2026.
The transaction was helped by Hissa Fund, which specializes in giving liquidity to startup employees.
The employees used the money for personal needs like paying off loans or giving to family.
This event shows that early employees can benefit from their hard work even before the company is fully sold or goes public.
STAGE completed a INR 4.2 crore secondary transaction, allowing early employees to partially exit their ESOPs.
Eight employees, including founding members, sold portions of their vested ESOPs after six years with the company.
STAGE has grown to over 6 million paying subscribers, focusing on Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and Bhojpuri content.
The company plans to expand into Marathi and Gujarati markets in 2026.
Hissa Fund facilitated the transaction, aiming to provide liquidity to startup employees before traditional exit events.
- Who
- STAGE, early employees, Hissa Fund
- What
- Secondary transaction for liquidity
- When
- December 9
- Where
- Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Why
- To provide liquidity to early employees and angel investors
- Company
- STAGE
- Transaction Amount
- INR 4.2 crore
- Facilitator
- Hissa Fund
- Participants
- 8 early employees
- Subscribers
- 6 million+ paying subscribers
- Content Languages
- Haryanvi, Rajasthani, Bhojpuri
- Future Expansion
- Marathi & Gujarati in 2026
- Hissa Fund I
- $35 million