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Fonos has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Fonos.
Fonos was founded in 2019 by Xuan Nguyen (Co-Founder and COO) and Oscar Jesionek (Co-Founder & CEO).
Fonos has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Fonos is a digital media organization that operates a subscription-based mobile application providing licensed audiobooks, podcasts, Podcourses, eBooks, and guided meditation content. The platform features a digital library of more than 13,000 exclusive and licensed content items, serving an audience of over 130,000 monthly active users across the domestic Vietnamese market. Operating as the top-grossing application in the regional books category on major app stores, the company monetizes through direct consumer subscriptions and specialized enterprise learning solutions for corporate team development. To finance its expansion into podcasting and scale its professional studio production, the enterprise secured $1.8 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by North Base Media, alongside AngelCentral, Vietcetera, and Orvel Ventures. Fonos was officially founded in 2019 by chief executive officer Oscar Jesionek.
Key people at Fonos.
Fonos is a Vietnamese technology company that builds a digital content platform primarily focused on audiobooks, podcasts, meditation, book summaries, and ebooks. It serves individual consumers and businesses by providing rich, licensed audio and digital content designed to support personal development, learning, and entertainment. The platform addresses the need for accessible, on-the-go learning and leisure content, especially for busy professionals, offering over 13,000 pieces of content and personalized engagement features. Fonos has demonstrated strong growth momentum, becoming the #1 book app in Vietnam on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store[1][2][4].
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Fonos was created to meet the rising demand for digital audio content in the Vietnamese market. The company was founded by Oscar Jesionek and others with backgrounds in media and technology. The idea emerged from the recognition of a gap in the local market for a comprehensive audiobook and podcast platform with licensed content tailored to Vietnamese users. Early traction was marked by rapid user adoption and content expansion, supported by investments from AngelCentral, North Base Media, Orvel Ventures, iSeed Ventures, and Hustle Fund[2].
Fonos rides the global trend of increasing demand for audio content and digital learning, accelerated by mobile internet penetration and changing consumer habits favoring on-demand, bite-sized learning and entertainment. The timing is favorable due to Vietnam’s growing digital economy and rising middle class seeking convenient knowledge and entertainment solutions. Fonos influences the broader ecosystem by promoting digital content consumption, supporting local content creators, and advancing corporate learning culture through innovative technology and scalable subscription models[3][4].
Fonos is poised to expand its content offerings and deepen its presence in both consumer and enterprise markets. Future growth will likely be shaped by trends such as AI-driven personalization, increased demand for remote learning, and integration of multimedia content formats. As it scales, Fonos could become a key player in Southeast Asia’s digital content and edtech sectors, influencing how knowledge and entertainment are consumed in emerging markets. Its continued innovation in user engagement and corporate learning solutions will be critical to sustaining momentum and expanding its ecosystem influence[5].
Fonos was founded in 2019 by Xuan Nguyen (Co-Founder and COO) and Oscar Jesionek (Co-Founder & CEO).
Fonos has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fonos's investors include AngelList, Vibe Capital, Kunal Shah.
Fonos has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Seed in September 2021.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2026 | Hybridity | $2.5M Seed Extension | — | Björn Hovstadius, Hans Otterling, Jörgen Bladh, Noam Perski, Simon Josefsson, Stefan Lennhammer |
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2021 | $1.0M Seed | AngelList, Vibe Capital, Kunal Shah |
