Overview
The Ken is a digital publication headquartered in Bangalore, India, established in 2016, renowned for its subscription-driven business model. It specializes in delivering premium, subscriber-exclusive content, focusing on in-depth narrative analysis of the business sector. As a subscriber-only platform, The Ken publishes one original narrative story per day, emphasizing detailed storytelling and editorial independence. Its business model is funded entirely by its subscribers, with significant support from angel investors and Omidyar Network India, raising a total of $2.34 million in funding over five rounds.
Key Leadership
- Seema Singh: Co-founder & Editor
With over two decades in journalism, Seema Singh is an authoritative voice, formerly serving as the Bengaluru bureau chief at Forbes India. She authored "Myth Breaker: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and the Story of Indian Biotech" and is a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT.
- Rohin Dharmakumar: Co-founder & CEO
Rohin has over 15 years of experience in journalism, technology, and entrepreneurship. He holds an MBA from IIM Calcutta and an engineering degree from R.V.C.E., Bengaluru.
- Sumanth Raghavendra: Co-founder
Sumanth has more than 18 years of experience in startups, and he is currently the founder of Presentations.AI. He holds an MBA from IIM Bangalore and Thunderbird, USA.
- Praveen Gopal Krishnan: COO
With 9 years in product management, Praveen was formerly the Director of Product at InMobi. He has an MBA from IIM Bangalore and an engineering degree in Electronics & Communications from NIT, Tiruchirappalli.
Business Model and Growth
The Ken breaks traditional media norms with its unique business model that emphasizes high-quality, deeply-reported articles as a selling proposition. It launched subscriber-only apps in 2017, and in 2018, unique subscription plans for corporate and educational institutions were introduced. By July 2019, The Ken had amassed 15,000 paid subscribers. Its strategic geographical expansion in 2020 into Southeast Asia, along with popular podcast offerings such as "Daybreak" which has garnered over a million downloads, reflects its growth trajectory.
Editorial Integrity
The Ken's journalism is powered by robust research and transparent financial and editorial practices, ensuring independence and ethical journalism free from external influences. Disclaimers are provided in stories to avoid conflicts of interest, further ensuring credibility.
Employment and Diversity
Female representation is a focal point at The Ken, with women comprising 40% of its workforce. The organization champions collaboration between its editorial, product, engineering, and marketing teams to stand out from traditional news organizations.
Recent Developments
Innovative journalism and product offerings characterize The Ken's ongoing evolution. Recent developments include a free 30-day trial campaign and storytelling podcasts, showcasing its commitment to redefining digital business journalism while cultivating an engaged community of informed subscribers.
Competitor Profile
Competitors
The Ken operates amidst fierce competition in the digital business journalism market. Key competitors include:
- Business Insider: Based in New York City and owned by Axel Springer SE, Business Insider is a global player known for a mix of original reporting and aggregated content, with an estimated valuation of $442 million.
- Benzinga: A financial media and data technology startup from Detroit aiming to provide market news and insights. It reaches approximately 25 million monthly readers, employs 249 people, and generates an estimated $38.4 million in annual revenue.
- The Morning Context: A smaller platform operating from London, offering subscription-only investigative journalism on business and current affairs in India. Despite its size, with 11-50 employees, it has a readership exceeding 100,000.
- Other Competitors: MediaNama, YourStory, and FactorDaily present varying degrees of competition by targeting overlapping audiences concerned with technology and business news.
Market Position and Strategic Insights
The Ken has carved a niche through its high-quality, narrative-driven content amidst stiff market competition. It ranks third among 738 competitors, with a strategic focus on enhancing content depth and providing unique business insights. By marketing itself as a premium source of business intelligence, The Ken can attract and retain subscribers who value profound analysis beyond mere news reporting. Its distinct operational approach is a key differentiator, sustaining its growth ambition and market penetration while supporting its reputation as a leading subscriber-driven publication.
