Shark Tank-featured Medial shuts down amid cash crunch

Medial, a social networking platform targeting the startup ecosystem, is ceasing operations, its founder and CEO Niket Raj Dwivedi announced on Tuesday. The "difficult decision" comes after the startup failed to raise new funding amid a persistent cash crunch, according to the founder.

The platform, founded in 2023, aimed to build an online community for founders, startup employees, and investors across India. Dwivedi stated that Medial reached over 500,000 users and expanded to more than 30 countries. He claimed that several startups built on the platform later secured funding and appeared on television.

The shutdown marks a significant reversal for Medial, which was reportedly in advanced talks last year to raise a $4-5 million Series A funding round. The startup also gained visibility through an appearance on Shark Tank India, securing a deal from OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal, which led to the launch of a premium subscription offering.

Previous claims of significant user growth and engagement, alongside positive investor sentiment from entities like OG Capital regarding premium subscriber renewals and profitability projections, contrast sharply with the current situation. Medial last raised $500,000 in a pre-seed funding round in December 2025.

Medial's closure occurs amidst a challenging market for Indian social networking startups. While some competitors focus on professional communities, others have struggled to establish sustainable business models, leading some to pivot their products and branding.