Gautam Raj Anand launched the country’s largest podcast hosting, creation and distribution platform ‘Hubhopper’ in 2015. Currently powering audio content across 15 million touchpoints with an impressive network of independent creators and media houses, including HT Media, ANI, Juggernaut Books, Rekhta Foundation, and Rajshri Entertainment, to name a few. The platform helps creators get heard worldwide by distributing their podcasts across 35+ global and Indian audio streaming platforms like Spotify, Google Podcasts, Acast, Amazon Music, Wynk Music, Gaana, etc.
Q. How did it start; what was the idea behind the same?
Back then, I worked at Barclays when I discovered podcasts as a way to improve my skills and take my mind off the monotonous work I was doing. I quickly became obsessed with the medium and started listening to a lot of audio content daily. As I delved deeper into this world, I wondered why podcasts were not more mainstream. I researched and discovered that the space had problem statements and opportunities, which sparked the idea for Hubhopper.
Q. What’s the story behind your venture’s name; why is it Hubhopper?
Initially, I came up with the name Hubster for the company. However, I was disappointed to learn that someone else had already taken the name. Through various iterations of the name, My mother suggested the name Hubhopper. At first, I was hesitant and still preferred the name “Hubster,” but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that “Hubhopper” better captured the essence of what they were trying to build. The name suggests someone who jumps from one genre to another throughout the day.
Q. How has your journey been; what are the challenges you faced?
My journey with Hubhopper has been incredible and life-changing. I faced several challenges across different phases of Hubhopper. The initial challenges included getting a non-educated techy to build a tech-based product, hiring the right people, and securing funding for the company. I made mistakes and learned from them, and ultimately overcame these obstacles to grow Hubhopper into a successful business.
Q. Tell us about your audiences; from which age group of people do Hubhopper has more listeners?
Hubhopper’s audience can be broken down into two cohorts. First, you’ve got the 18 to 32 bracket; people who consume content in genres such as horror, thrillers, society & culture, and storytelling. Topics such as love, romance, self-help, personal development, and business are wildly popular among this audience.
Then there’s the second cohort of people that’s above 45. This cohort usually listens to spirituality, devotion, and business talks. They also consume news through audio, possibly as a nod to the way news was traditionally consumed on the radio.
Q. What makes Hubhopper stand out from other podcast platforms?
Three primary aspects set Hubhopper apart from other podcast platforms.
The first is that the platform provides comprehensive solutions, solving all the podcasters’ needs and problems under one roof. We understand that we are in a localized market and that users don’t want a fragmented solution where they are required to go from platform A to platform B to platform C. They can create, publish, and track their podcasts’ performance without switching between different platforms.
The second significant aspect is that we have a very strong presence across developing markets. The dominance of the West in broadcasting can make it difficult for content creators in developing markets to reach their intended audience. Using a hosting platform from the West, there is a higher likelihood that your shows will be distributed to Western audiences, who may not be interested in consuming the content you create. This can make it challenging for shows to gain traction and find an audience. With its focus on developing markets, Hubhopper offers a solution to this problem, providing a platform for podcasters to reach and engage with local audiences.
The third thing we’ve tried to focus on is building the community and the product. While audio has been consumed for many years, the broadcasting of podcasts is still a relatively new phenomenon. As such, it requires support and collaboration from different organizations to help it grow and evolve. By building a strong community of creators and broadcasters, Hubhopper is working to help the medium reach its full potential and allow creators to learn from each other, share ideas, and collaborate to build better podcasts and reach wider audiences.
Q. Any affirmation that inspires you?
There’s a quote that has changed my life: Sometimes, all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something amazing will come out of it.
It’s something that I use on a daily basis. Whenever I reach a roadblock, I tend to count, and by the time I reach 20, I make a decision, and then whatever that decision is, I run with it without having second thoughts about it. I realize that it holds me in good stead because it is a good compass for me to make sure that I essentially just do the things that my heart actually wants me to do without letting my head get in between.
Q. Where do you envision Hubhopper in the next five years?
Our mission is to democratize audio to a point where it becomes accessible to all. This will involve a lot of hard work and innovation as we strive to find solutions and bring our vision to reality. Hubhopper is committed to this mission, being a pivotal part of that change, being a pivotal part of that legacy, being the largest company in the region, and other emerging markets that has enabled that transition to take place.
We are committed to being a driving force in this transition and to helping audio reach its full potential. We are excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities it will bring. Together with our team and the wider industry, we are looking forward to what the future holds for audio and for Hubhopper.
