Our user base doubling every month and we're ahead of all players in terms of product, tech: Leher CEO

Social media platforms across the spectrum have seen rising adoption during the pandemic period. Live discussion apps such as Clubhouse and Leher are the recent additions to this club with more users opting for live discussions with like-minded people on issues of their interests. Made in India live audio, video discussion social networking app Leher, launched in 2018, with more than 2.5 lakh downloads; is now witnessing its user base doubling every month. An app that can be operated in both iOS and Android operating systems is inclusive in nature unlike Clubhouse's invite-only nature. In a conversation with Bizz Buzz, Vikas Malpani, co-founder & CEO, Leher, said these are early days for such social networking apps with a promising future

Today, we are very early in this space. The total number of people who have tried something like this is less than 30 million in the world of 3 billion big social media universe, which is just one per cent. A very small number of people have tried this platform. I think, a lot of evolution will happen. All the hypes about these platforms are going to help the market expand

We are on both the platforms (iOS and android) from the beginning. We said we are going to attract people and communities who want to come together for great conversations. Therefore, there is no restriction on who can start a room. But people who want to form a club, they will apply and we will review and give the approval. Anyone can start a room and the app is very inclusive in nature

How is the business for live discussion app like Leher during the pandemic? Has the shift to digital interfaces helped apps like Leher?

The pandemic has moved the world towards internet-first world, which is going to help technology companies like us. The offline behaviour is going online now as conversation, meeting people migrate to digital platforms. We had foreseen that there would be a time when internet would be the first port of call. It will be like the real world for you and socializing would go the digital platforms. Though this is still early days for companies like us, it is exciting as the whole fundamental is going to change with natural interfaces and conversation.

Apps like Leher and Clubhouse has made waves in recent times as more people opt for digital interfaces for live discussions and debates amid the pandemic. How do you view the competition?

We are there in the market before other apps. It's not that our competitors came in, then we decided to launch our app. We felt that the world would move to social platforms for socializing, forming communities and having conversations. This will happen over audio and video. So, what we are trying is not to give another podcast experience, but what we are trying to do is a real world experience such as live conversations. Everyday people have conversation on trending topics with their colleagues, the people they meet in events and WhatsApp calls among others. But as the world is moving towards more internet-first, it is very important to have a place where you can just go and have a great conversation, and belong to a community. We feel that the need for belongingness is very important and that is the need we cater to. What Clubhouse did was to make this to the mainstream by getting many influencers on the platform. As we see this space is that the whole audio, video way of interaction is going to be a game changer the way people are going to interact.

How is the adoption of Leher app in recent time?

We are around 2.3 lakhs downloads right now and we are doubling every month. The rate of growth is also growing as more people are exploring this medium. In technology term, we are very much capable of handling the rising traffic as we are ahead of all players in terms of product and technology. Because, we support video also apart from audio. We can support a million people at a go in one room. So, technology and product wise, we are best in class in the world.

Clubhouse is an invite-only app. But Leher works on both android and iOS operating systems and is not an invite-only social platform. Will such differentiation work in your favour going ahead?

We are on both the platforms (iOS and android) from the beginning. We said we are going to attract people and communities who want to come together for great conversations. Therefore, there is no restriction on who can start a room. But people who want to form a club, they will apply and we will review and give the approval. Anyone can start a room and the app is very inclusive in nature.

But all these platforms are in a nascent stage. So, players like Leher and Clubhouse have to expand the market. What are your thoughts on this aspect?

Today, we are very early in this space. The total number of people who have tried something like this is less than 30 million in the world of 3 billion big social media universe, which is just one per cent. A very small number of people have tried this platform. I think, a lot of evolution will happen. All the hypes about these platforms are going to help the market expand.

The ongoing pandemic has helped social media platforms have more users due to the restrictions on movement. Don't you think as the world moves towards normalcy; such high level of adoption will come down?

We have to accept that we have come to a digital-first era. 2020 has been a watershed year in terms of moving towards digital first world. In a world, which has so constrained of time and attention, people have started changing the behaviour. Suddenly, things like international sales have seen a change as people have realized that what is the need for so much of travel when the meeting can be done anywhere. So, the behaviour is changing.

Our core users, who have just come to the industry for couple of years, they are trying to figure out what to do, whom to meet, who are the best people to interact with. They are trying to get in touch with the like-minded people, which is not happening in the physical world. Every year, around 8.5 million people are coming out of college. That is what we are seeing on our platform. We have clubs for personal finance, marketing, cryptocurrency and even clubs for music, poetry and many more. Clubs for spiritual and mental well being are also there comprising people of various walks of life. So, Leher is going to be the destination for their career, personal finance and other important things. As these professionals become serious, they will not mind paying a small amount to be a member of these clubs.

Can you throw some light on your fund-raising plans?

As a company, we have big plans. We will raise money when we hit the next milestone. For us, it will take another 6-9 months.