Mumbai-based creator economy startup TIST Media has raised a seed funding round at a post-money valuation of $5.9 million. The round was led by Sthira Partners, marking a significant investment in India’s fast-growing creator economy sector.
The company plans to use the newly raised capital to expand its team, improve product infrastructure through the TIST app, and scale creator-brand partnerships across India and international markets. The funding reflects growing investor confidence in platforms that support creators with structured workflows, payment systems, and campaign management tools.
Founded by Tarun Nathani, TIST Media focuses on solving operational and trust-related gaps in creator-brand collaborations. The platform enables seamless partnerships between brands and content creators through transparent systems and measurable campaigns.
Speaking about the funding, Nathani said the creator economy has already arrived, but the infrastructure supporting it still needs to evolve. The company aims to become a foundational platform powering long-term creator partnerships globally.
According to the investors, the decision to back TIST Media was driven by the company’s strong understanding of the creator ecosystem from the perspectives of brands, agencies, and creators alike. Investors believe the startup is well-positioned to build scalable infrastructure for the rapidly expanding digital creator market.
The funding comes at a time when India’s creator economy is attracting increased venture capital interest. With influencer marketing and creator-led commerce continuing to grow, startups like TIST Media are emerging as critical infrastructure providers for brands and digital creators worldwide.
