How Saurabh Pandey Raised $40M to Build Eloelo, India’s Largest Live Social Entertainment App

How Saurabh Pandey Raised $40M to Build Eloelo, India’s Largest Live Social Entertainment App

Author: The BarberShop with Shantanu April 11, 2025 Duration: 1:39:59

Some Founders wait for the “Right time.” Others just CREATE IT!

Based in Bangalore, this company has been developing an app since March 2021, and it has already been installed by 105 million users.

We’re super excited to have Saurabh Pandey (Founder and CEO, Eloelo) on the pod this time. From leaving Flipkart just before the pandemic to building Eloelo after, one of India’s largest Live Social Entertainment Platform, his story is a masterclass in courage, conviction, and community building.

Key takeaways from the episode:

•⁠ ⁠What sets Eloelo apart from traditional social media.

•⁠ ⁠How the platform tackles loneliness and spreads the sense of belonging.

•⁠ ⁠Why transparency, data, and failure matter in startups.

What’s been your biggest leap of faith so far—and what did it teach you? Tell us in the comments!

And if you’d like to join our next conversation as a live audience member, sign up here: https://forms.gle/yF6Rzr9NRheKRoV98

Navigate your journey through this conversation:

00:00 Coming Up

01:17 Introduction

01:48 Why the Name Eloelo

08:46 What is a Live Social Entertainment Platform

14:55 How Eloelo Was Born

19:37 How Can Creators Make Money on Eloelo

22:52 Different Types of Content and User Engagement on Eloelo

33:18 Monetization Models on Eloelo

42:40 How Much Do Creators Get Paid On The App

43:17 Monetisation Through Eloelo

46:49 Competitors and Similar Apps in this space

48:01 Compliance Of The Content On The App

50:25 Vision for Eloelo

57:24 The Entrepreneurial Journey and Personal Insights

1:12:35 Learnings from Flipkart

1:25:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

1:29:43 Non-Tech Founder in a Tech Industry

1:34:00 Closing Thoughts


Step into a space where business talk feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation happening in the back of a classic barbershop. The BarberShop with Shantanu is built on that exact feeling-a place for honest, meandering, and deeply insightful dialogues about the real journey of building something. Host Shantanu, who founded Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae, doesn't just interview guests; he engages in a form of mutual mentorship, drawing on his own experiences to unpack the stories, struggles, and small victories that define entrepreneurship. Each episode feels like a candid exchange, stripping away the polished veneer often found in business media to explore how ideas actually take root and flourish. You'll hear from a variety of voices navigating their own hustles, with conversations that naturally touch on strategy, personal growth, and the often-overlooked human elements behind the brands. This podcast thrives on the free flow of genuine perspective, offering listeners not just lessons, but a sense of camaraderie. It’s a platform dedicated to growth, framed through storytelling that’s as much about the missteps as the milestones. Tune in for a regular dose of reflection and practical wisdom, all shared with the ease of a good chat.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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