Influencer Sharan Hegde buys stake in creator start-up Madhouse Mafia
What's the story
Finance influencer and entrepreneur Sharan Hegde has acquired a minority stake in creator-focused start-up Madhouse Mafia. The investment values the company at $3.2 million (approximately ₹30 crore). This strategic move comes as Madhouse Mafia seeks to strengthen its foothold in India's rapidly growing creator economy.
Innovative strategy
Madhouse Mafia's unique approach to talent management
Founded by Rachit Arora, Supriya Ullengala, and Zeba Madni, Madhouse Mafia takes a different approach from traditional influencer agencies. Instead of merely connecting brands with creators for campaigns, the start-up focuses on discovering new talent and helping them monetize through brand partnerships and businesses. The company has already worked with over 40 creators across various categories including finance, technology, and travel.
Advisory position
Hegde's strategic advisory role
Hegde, who runs finance content platform 1% Club, will take on a strategic advisory role at Madhouse Mafia. He won't be involved in day-to-day operations but will guide the start-up and help open doors to other companies through his extensive network in the creator ecosystem. This partnership is expected to give Madhouse Mafia an edge over competitors by leveraging Hegde's connections and expertise.
Business expansion
Start-up's revenue and profit trajectory
Madhouse Mafia's business includes influencer marketing for brands, talent management, and AI-powered advertising solutions. The company has also started offering AI-generated brand films for businesses looking to launch products online and offline. In the last 18 months, the bootstrapped start-up claims to have generated over ₹30 crore in revenue. For FY26, it reported a revenue of ₹28.5 crore with a profit of ₹2.92 crore.
Growth strategy
Creator economy shift and Madhouse Mafia's vision
Madhouse Mafia, which employs around 30 people, has worked with brands such as Amazon, BMW, and Motilal Oswal. The company aims to scale its revenue to over ₹150 crore in the next five years. Arora said the creator economy is shifting from talent representation to creator-building, and their focus has always been on creating long-term businesses around creators rather than chasing short-term campaigns.