Humans of Bombay rebrands as The Human Company, expands beyond storytelling into full-service brand solutions
After more than a decade of building one of India’s most recognisable storytelling platforms, Humans of Bombay has rebranded its parent business as The Human Company, marking a strategic shift from a content platform to a full-stack media and brand solutions firm.
The announcement comes 12 years after Humans of Bombay was launched as a storytelling platform inspired by everyday human experiences. Over the years, the company says it has published more than 7,000 stories and built a community of over 7 million followers across digital platforms.
According to the company, the move reflects the changing nature of content consumption, with audiences increasingly gravitating toward short-form video, podcasts, creator-led content and digital-first storytelling formats.
While Humans of Bombay will continue to operate as the company’s flagship storytelling brand, The Human Company will serve as the umbrella entity overseeing content strategy, creative services, production, original intellectual properties (IPs) and distribution.
The company said the new structure is designed to bring the entire content lifecycle under one roof, from strategic planning and ideation to content creation and audience distribution.
Over the years, the business has expanded beyond editorial storytelling to work with brands on content marketing, branded entertainment and digital campaigns. Its client roster includes companies such as AWS, Samsung, HSBC, Myntra and Zomato, among others.
Announcing the development, founder and CEO Karishma Mehta said the company had evolved far beyond its original publishing roots.
“Humans of Bombay began with a simple belief that stories can change the way people see the world. Over the last twelve years, that belief led us somewhere unexpected. Beyond building a storytelling platform, we built a company that helps ideas become movements, brands become part of culture, and stories create lasting impact,” Mehta said.
As part of the restructuring, The Human Company has elevated Amit Sobti to the role of Chief Operating Officer, while Jasleen Kaur Gupta has been named Chief Creative and Strategy Officer.
The appointments come as the company looks to scale its operations across content, media, original IPs and brand partnerships.
A company that has also courted controversy
Humans of Bombay’s growth has not been without challenges.
In 2023, the company became the centre of a high-profile legal dispute after filing a copyright infringement lawsuit against storytelling platform People of India, alleging similarities in content presentation and design.
The case triggered extensive debate across social media, with many users questioning whether storytelling formats inspired by the globally popular Humans of New York model could be exclusively claimed.
The controversy gained international attention after Brandon Stanton, founder of Humans of New York, publicly criticised the lawsuit. Stanton argued that the storytelling format was intended to inspire similar projects rather than restrict them.
The dispute became one of the most talked-about legal battles in India’s creator and digital publishing ecosystem, placing Humans of Bombay under intense public scrutiny.
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First Published onAugust 18, 2026, 16:24:45 IST
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