In a strategic step to shape up its consumer internet platform, the Bengaluru-based community platform Kutumb has made an official entry into the online dating industry with Polo, a specific application tailor-made to gay men. This growth is a major change in the Tiger Global-supported company that had previously specialized in the construction of community-first social networking applications for the regional audiences in Bharat or non-English speakers.
Primary value proposition and launch of Polo
The launch of Polo indicates the desire of Kutumb to build dedicated digital spaces for its main social platform. Being currently accessible on the Google Play Store, Polo is marketed as a safe and respectful app that is specifically designed to meet the demands of gay men. The key value proposition of the app is based on the idea of verified profiles, no spam, and complete privacy. It is expected to appeal to all the old-time fears of safety and authenticity in the LGBTQ+ dating sphere.
Compared to general dating apps that usually force users to scroll through a wide range of preferences, Polo is anchored on a gay-first philosophy. This makes sure that all profiles on the site are owned by men seeking to interact with fellow men and leaves users without having to elaborate on their purpose or identity. The application is well established in the Indian market with complete support of the local languages, such as Hindi, to help users enjoy a dating experience in both the large urban centres, such as Mumbai and Delhi and the smaller cities.
Core features and strategic growth
In terms of technology, Polo uses a set of contemporary connectivity tools to create real relationships. The application employs a Smart Match Engine that allows combining classic swiping functionality with AI-informed recommendations made on the basis of mutual interests and user vibes. This data-based model is supposed to go beyond the cycle of incessant swiping to meaningful conversations and face-to-face encounters.
Polo has developed several modern safety measures to guarantee user confidence. All new profiles go through a selfie verification procedure to prevent fraudsters and fake profiles. The application has a feature of Private Albums, where users share secret photos only with people they trust. It does not show the exact position of a user and retains the incognito position until the user says more.
To establish trust until the time of an actual meeting, the application provides built-in audio and video calling features. Other new features, such as the Travel Mode, allow users to connect with the local gay communities in the world even before they get to their destination.
The launch of Polo is when Kutumb is enjoying a healthy financial expansion. In the current financial year ending in March 2025 (FY25), Kutumb has registered a staggering 173% year-on year revenue growth, which is ₹128.6 crore. More importantly, the firm has been able to turn around to a net profit of ₹12 crore, followed by a loss of ₹3 crore in the last fiscal.
According to industry sources, Polo has already shown good commercial potential already generating approximately ₹5 crore monthly revenues. This is part of a larger house of apps strategy by Kutumb, currently running various consumer applications in the lifestyle, astrology and utility segments, including Tarot99, Astro99, and Piku AI. With the help of a $26 million Series A round of funding led by Tiger Global in 2021, the company has the funding they need to potentially compete with larger market competitors, including Grindr and RainbowLuv.
Conclusion
With Polo, Kutumb is not only venturing into an expanding niche market but also sending a message to itself about the need to create identity-safe digital spaces. As the Indian LGBTQ+ dating space enters maturity, especially in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, the need to have platforms that are more moderated and localized will grow.
The initial financial success of Polo and the inclusion of privileged verification options into the service make it a worthy competitor in the competition of offering a safe, respectful, and technologically superior dating experience to gay men in India and elsewhere.
Read the full article here