Pocket Entertainment elevates Umesh Bude to CTO

Pocket Entertainment, the parent company of Pocket FM, Pocket Toons, and Pocket Novel, has elevated Umesh Bude to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). 

Previously Senior Vice President of Engineering, Umesh will now lead the company’s technology strategy, focusing on developing the future of AI-powered storytelling across its platforms.

As CTO, Umesh will oversee the end-to-end tech stack at Pocket Entertainment and spearhead innovations to scale its products globally. His responsibilities will include designing scalable systems, advancing generative AI capabilities, and delivering technology-led innovations to empower both creators and consumers.

“It’s a privilege to take on this role at a time when technology and creativity are deeply intertwined at Pocket Entertainment. I look forward to driving the next wave of innovation, where technology and AI are not just enablers, but storytellers in their own right,” said Bude on his promotion.

Umesh will continue to report to Prateek Dixit as the company aims to consolidate its position at the intersection of entertainment and technology. 

Earlier this year, Pocket Entertainment launched Pocket Toons, an AI-first comics (webcomics) platform that uses AI to transform storytelling and content creation.

In March 2024, Pocket FM secured $103 million in its Series D funding round, led by Lightspeed and joined by Stepstone Group. The company has raised $196.5 million in total funding and was valued at $750 million in its last equity round. 

Pocket FM’s global revenue spiked to Rs 1,051.97 crore in FY24 from Rs 176.36 crore in FY23. The Bengaluru-based company also improved its economics as its losses narrowed by 21% to Rs 165 crore in FY24.