Podcast startup Podeo raises $5.4M in funding to empower 100,000+ creators and reach 50 million global listeners

The global podcasting market is on a meteoric rise, with over 500 million listeners today and projections estimating it will grow from $27 billion in 2023 to over $234 billion by 2030. With nearly 80% of listeners finishing entire episodes, it’s no wonder worldwide ad spending is set to hit $4.02 billion by 2024. Despite this boom, podcasters still face one major challenge: discoverability.

Enter Podeo, a Dubai-based podcast startup and the world’s largest podcast distribution platform that is helping over 100,000 creators reach audiences worldwide.

Podeo is announcing a $5.4M Series A funding round to help podcasters overcome this discoverability hurdle. The round, led by Oraseya Capital (the venture arm of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority), also saw participation from Ibtikar Fund, Cedar Mundi Ventures, Samarium, iSME, and returning investor Razor Capital.

With this new capital, Podeo plans to enhance podcast discoverability and increase creator revenue. The platform will expand across emerging markets, utilizing its unique distribution channels and advanced AI tools that benefit both creators and advertisers.

Podeo provides an all-in-one solution for podcasters, covering everything from content creation and distribution to monetization. While discoverability is a growing challenge, Podeo’s unique distribution integrations extend far beyond traditional streaming apps. The platform offers creators exposure across unexpected channels, including radio stations, airlines, ride-hailing apps, gaming platforms, and messaging apps. With a community of over 100,000 creators and a global audience of 50 million, Podeo is breaking barriers and amplifying independent voices like never before.

Podeo

Founded in 2020 by Stefano Fallaha, Anthony Essaye, and Mario Hayek, Podeo initially started out as a podcast app but quickly evolved into an end-to-end platform. Transitioning from a destination-first to a distribution-first model, Podeo is redefining how podcasts are delivered and monetized. The founding team, who previously developed the timed-podcast aggregator Fallound, is now leading a dynamic group of over 35 experts in audio, big data, and media.

Podeo equips creators with top-tier tools to expand their reach and engage diverse audiences. For brands, the platform offers ways to optimize ad spend through its cutting-edge ad-tech, making advertising more efficient across multiple channels.

“We’re dedicated to empowering creators to become global audio stars by giving them the tools to connect with diverse audiences,” said Stefano Fallaha, CEO of Podeo. “This Series A funding will help us scale rapidly across emerging markets and bring storytelling to a global stage, giving underrepresented voices the chance to reach billions.”

The podcast industry is undergoing a massive shift as independent creators rise to meet the growing demand for authentic content. Podeo is positioning itself as the go-to platform for creators aiming to reach mobile audiences, with partnerships that include Dubai Taxis, Anuvu’s airline customers, messaging platform imo, and Arabic media giant Rotana.

Podeo’s impact in the MENA region has been groundbreaking, increasing podcast production by 50X in two years and boosting regional revenue six-fold. Creators using Podeo have seen a 166% average monthly audience growth after switching to the platform, thanks to an easy transition process. “Podeo has transformed our podcast reach through its exclusive distribution network and monetization tools,” said Mo Islam, host of Saudi Arabia’s leading English podcast, The Mo Show. “Since joining Podeo, we’ve become part of a thriving community, supported by a platform that adapts to our needs and drives our growth.”

Podeo will also use the fresh capital infusion to accelerate its global expansion, enhance its AI capabilities, and continue rolling out innovative tools that reshape the podcasting landscape. The company envisions a future where content transcends geographic limits, merging radio and on-demand experiences into a unified ecosystem with Podeo at the center.

“We’re excited to back Podeo in their next growth phase,” said Julien Plouzeau, Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital. “Podeo’s distribution model and Stefano’s leadership have brought them to the forefront of podcasting in MENA, and we’re confident they’ll scale this success in new markets, solving the discoverability problem for creators and advertisers alike.”