Shark Tank India-Featured Networking Startup Medial Shuts Down Operations

Bengaluru-based professional networking platform Medial has officially announced it is winding down operations. CEO and founder Niket Raj Dwivedi confirmed the "difficult decision" in a LinkedIn post, citing that the company’s timing may have been a factor in its inability to scale sustainably.

Launched in 2023, Medial aimed to create a dedicated hub for the Indian startup ecosystem, offering features like startup news, career discussions, and community networking. The platform, which gained visibility after an appearance on Shark Tank India, was designed to democratize information access, particularly bridging the gap between Tier I and Tier II/III cities. Despite claiming a user base of 500,000 across 30 countries and raising $500,000 in pre-Series A funding from Ortella Global Capital in late 2024, the platform ultimately could not maintain long-term viability in a competitive landscape filled with established players like Reddit and niche professional networks.

Dwivedi expressed gratitude to his team and investors, noting that he intends to remain in the startup space despite the setback. The closure marks a challenging moment for community-led professional networking apps, which have faced significant headwinds in recent months.