Match.com-Backed Chinese Dating Site Plans A-Share Listing Via Reverse Merger


Zhenai, a Chinese online dating site 20% owned by Match.com, is planning a back-door listing via a reverse merger with Shenzhen-listed DEA General Aviation Holding Co., Ltd.

DEA, a Guangdong province-based aviation parts and electronics maker, said in a disclosure filing that it plans to acquire 100% of Zhenai via new share issuance after Zhenai completes the process of dismantling its variable interest entity (VIE), a legal structure permitting foreign investors to hold a stake in a Chinese Internet company.

The deal is still in the process of being finalized and the two parties have not signed a formal agreement, according to the filing.

DEA said that it is buying Zhenai in order to transition itself from a traditional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) business model to a service provider meeting consumers’ updated demand.

Founded in 2004, Zhenai disclosed two previous financing rounds in 2008 worth a total of US$11 million, but did not disclose the investors’ identities. In 2011, U.S. dating portal Match.com announced plans to acquire 20% of Zhenan for an undisclosed amount.

As of October 2016, Zhenai had over 100 million registered users. The company also registered around RMB1 billion (US$145 million) in revenues and around RMB100 million (US$14 million) in net profits in 2016.

Zhenai was co-founded by a former Morgan Stanley manager Li Song, who is the husband of well-known investment manager Kathy Xu, founder and managing partner of Capital Today.

Jiayuan.com, another Chinese date site backed by Qiming Venture Partners and a number of Chinese angel investors, was established in 2003 and completed a NASDAQ listing in 2011.

Another peer Baihe.com was founded in 2005 and last raised RMB1.5 billion from a number of Chinese companies and investment firms in 2015. The company said at the time that it wanted to pursue a domestic listing.

Caishen.Co - Primary Data for China Secondary Investment and Stock Markets
 
Caishen.Co - Primary Data for China Secondary Investment and Stock Markets

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