In a world where kids’ content is often driven by trends and algorithms, Emomee Startup Story teaches us a completely different game. As Pooja Jauhari puts it, “What we are building is not a show, it’s an ecosystem.”
Founded by second-time entrepreneurs Varun Duggirala and Pooja Jauhari, Emomee isn’t trying to become “just another YouTube channel” or “another animation studio.” Instead, it’s being built as a full-stack IP business – a brand ecosystem where children live with characters across screens, products, experiences, and everyday moments.
The 30-Second Pitch
Startup Name: Emomee
Founders: Varun Duggirala & Pooja Jauhari
Co-founder: Suraksha Subramaniam (Compliance & Culture)
Industry: Kids’ IP / Children’s Content / Consumer Brand
Based In: Mumbai, India
Core Mission: Build a kids’ IP that lasts decades — with trust before transactions
Shark Tank Moment: All five sharks made offers at ₹50 Cr valuation; partnered with Aman Gupta & Namita Thapar
Second-Time Founders, First-Time Kids’ IP
Emomee’s foundation is deeply shaped by the founders’ past journey. Varun and Pooja previously built and scaled The Glitch, eventually leading it to an acquisition by WPP. That experience of scaling teams, running global client operations, and executing an exit gave them something most creators don’t start with: Patience, Discipline, Business-first thinking and A decade-long vision. Varun Duggirala explains it clearly, “We’re not chasing virality. We’re chasing longevity.”
Content First. Commerce Later.
The biggest differentiator in Emomee’s strategy is how intentionally it is built. Rather than pushing products too early, Emomee follows a global model similar to Cocomelon: Build trust through content at scale, Make screen time meaningful and Expand into products and monetisation later. Because in kids’ content, the real gatekeepers are not children – it’s parents. Pooja sums it up perfectly, “Children’s IP monetisation only works when trust comes before transaction.”
Meet the Characters: E, Mo, and Mee
Emomee’s IP universe is designed around more than entertainment. Their characters E, Mo, and Mee are created to support children’s development through themes like:
- Emotional intelligence
- Financial literacy
- Health and habits
- Curiosity and life skills
- Technology awareness
- Cultural learning
This makes Emomee stand out in a crowded market full of fast, loud, forgettable content.
Global Growth Powered by YouTube + Data
Emomee’s flagship content lives on YouTube, and the traction is already massive: 2 million+ subscribers (in under a year), 40 million+ monthly views (in under a year) and Strong engagement across: US, UK, Philippines, South Africa, Southeast Asia.
And the most important part?
Their growth has been largely organic, driven by consistency and strong “stayed-to-watch” ratios – not big marketing spends or hype campaigns.
AI, Analytics, and Discipline: The Business Behind the Creativity
Emomee’s approach is creative – but never chaotic.
A key pillar of their strategy is data-driven decision-making, supported by:
- Platform analytics
- AI-driven insights
- AI content tools as part of their creation process
This combination of storytelling + data + distribution discipline is what makes Emomee scalable as a business, not just as content.
Shark Tank India Season 5: A Milestone, Not the Mission
Emomee gained public spotlight after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 5, where something rare happened: All five sharks made offers and At the founders’ asked valuation of ₹50 crore. Eventually, the founders partnered with: Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar.
Their reason? Alignment on long-term brand building and distribution expertise.
But the founders are clear: Shark Tank was a checkpoint – not the destination.
“We went there to present an IP with global reach, proudly built from India.”
The Business Expansion Roadmap: IP → Products → Experiences
Because Emomee is built as an IP ecosystem, it can expand into multiple revenue streams without losing purpose, including:
- Publishing
- Toys
- Learning products
- Live experiences
- Licensing
- Eventually even FMCG categories
That’s what makes it a long-term, scalable consumer brand.
Also Read | Guugly Wuugly Startup Story | Kids Fashion on Shark Tank India Season 5
The Crazy Careers Takeaway
Emomee is proof that the biggest businesses aren’t always built by chasing attention.
They’re built by earning trust repeatedly, especially in categories like children’s content.
Their strategy is simple – but hard: Build slowly, Build globally, Build responsibly and Build for decades.