Girnar Software, which has its headquarters at Jaipur that operates and owns the auto portals like ZigWheels, Bike Dekho, Gaadi, Car Dekho and has also acquired PowerDrift Studios which is an automotive channel on You Tube. The PowerDrift studios has been running India’s largest You Tube channel for the automotive content and is also on the verge of being the only automotive channel on You Tube which is subscribed by millions of subscribers. This in turn makes the Girnarsoft group the largest automotive video content player reaching out to 1.4 million subscribers.
It was founded in the year 2012 by Amit Shetty and Rohan Albal which has constantly redefined the way the cars and the bikes are being tested, reviewed and are showcased to their viewers. Within the span of five years after its inception, the PowerDrift has also dominated the video content space in the country with more than 240 million life time views on their You Tube channel having an average of 2 lakh views per the video. Importance of Video content is underlined by the Google – Kantar TNS study, which states that 80 % of car buyers watch online video during their car buying journey.
The company has not disclosed the financial details of the deal and rather than the acquisition, it looks more like an aquihire. The development comes after Girnar Software raised Rs 16 crore in debt round from Trifecta Venture Debt Fund-1. PowerDrift is specialized in the creation of unique lifestyle and engaging video content for the consumers and the enthusiasts of the cars and motorcycles in India. According to CarDekho it says that, about 80 per cent of the car buyers watch online videos during their car buying process. Also, the Sequoia-backed company wants to accelerate engagement on YouTube through PowerDrift reach.
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Other players in the automotive YouTube channel space are Autoportal, Bike Show NDTV and Overdrive. PowerDrift is the Girnar Software’s 8th acquisition spanning across the technology and the content space. The Girnar Software is aiming to digitize the entire ecosystem of the country and become the biggest automotive video content player having 1.4 million YouTube subscribers and 30 million monthly unique visitors coming on the group sites and the largest auto social media platform in the country. At present, The parent of Girnar Software, Car Dekho has raised funding from the Marquee investors those include the Tybourne Capital, Sequoia Capital, Ratan Tata, Times Internet, HDFC Bank and Google Capital.
Car Dekho had raised nearly $ 2.5 million in the month of March from the existing investors Sequoia Capital in an extended Series B round of funding. It also reported that a consolidated growth of 38 per cent to Rs 113 crore in FY17, up from Rs 82 crore in previous fiscal.
Speaking on the Acquisition, CarDekho co-founder and CEO Amit Jain said,“These are exciting times. CarDekho has always innovated and focussed on providing the best user experience. Content plays an extremely important role in that. By bringing PowerDrift on board, I am convinced that this acquisition will prove to be a game-changer. We will come up with the best in class video content, which will be a visual treat and decision enabler for all stakeholders. I welcome each one from PowerDrift on-board and look forward to power-packed innings!”
PowerDrift Co-Founder and CEO Rohal Albal said, “Showcasing Indian motoring in a unique and world-class way has been the founding principle of PowerDrift. This alliance enables us in creating more exciting content, but also offers great value to our viewers. With our strengths compounded, I can’t wait for an even bigger, more exciting automotive future for India.”
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