Hyperlocal social media platform Lokal has launched a new app, Dostt, which enables 1-to-1 voice and video calls while keeping user identities anonymous. This is just one of several apps the company plans to introduce over the next year, according to Co-Founder Jani Pasha.

The Dostt app is designed to be a secure, private platform with verified profiles and a diverse community. It aims to offer a safe space for discussions on topics like relationships, love, career, and more. The app is tailored to users between the ages of 18 and 45 who speak native languages.

“We are rapidly expanding our app portfolio across various categories and are preparing to launch 40 new apps in areas such as astrology, emotional wellness, matrimony, and legal services in 2024,” Pasha said.

In addition to Dostt, Lokal has recently launched Eaze, an emotional wellness app, and Gyan TV, a skill-based learning platform offering courses on stock trading, photography, and more, similar to Seekho.

Lokal is backed by investors like Tencent, 3one4 Capital, Y Combinator, RB Investments, and India Quotient.

Lokal now faces competition from ShareChat’s newly launched app Vibely, which offers similar features, along with Alyke, FRND, and Clarity. EloElo, backed by WaterBridge and Kalaari Capital, has also emerged as a promising competitor in this space.

Founded in 2018 by Jani Pasha and Vipul Chaudhary, Lokal has raised around $30 million to date and competes directly with InShorts’ Public app and Dailyhunt’s PublicVibe. For the fiscal year ending March 2024, Lokal reported a slight increase in operating revenue to Rs 18.58 crore, while reducing its losses by 36%.