In 2014 rival taxi apps Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache engaged in a fierce price war that left onlookers stunned. According to multiple sources, Didi and Kuaidi altogether splashed over RMB 2 billion (approx. $376 million) on subsidizing customer ride fares. Yet in early 2015, the two bitter rivals announced their decision to merge. It made little sense. They couldn’t possibly have buried the hatchet that soon. Cases like Didi-Kuaidi are becoming common in China’s internet industry, spanning areas like online travel, group buying and classified advertisement websites. Why is China’s online sector witnessing a series of frenzied mergers, acquisitions and partnerships between sworn rivals?
My ‘App-y Life: Living Life Off Mobile Apps in China
Mobile apps in China have created a bubble in which people can get most of the things they need without stepping out of the comforts of their home
China Roundup: The Chinese Economy Posts Weak Numbers
This week, various economic indicators released on the Chinese economy showed slower growth and Alibaba invested in Snapchat
The Secret Ingredient in Successful Innovation
How should would-be entrepreneurs scout for innovation opportunities? The key lies in finding industries with ‘friction’ and ‘information assymetry’.
Will WeChat Succeed in Mobile Commerce?
WeChat, China’s wildly popular social messaging app, is experimenting with mobile commerce in a bid to become an all-in-one platform. What are the odds of success? Twenty two-year-old Yin Junyu has been selling fashion accessories made of synthetic pearls and designer jewelry replicas for the last two years at a small store in Beijing’s Tongzhou […]
China Round-up: More Chinese IPOs in the US; Alibaba Buys UCWeb; and Inflation Woes
The week that was: Alibaba continued to make waves with its UCWeb buy and China Post tie-up; Baidu tied up with Vanke; and expect more Chinese IPOs in the US. Alibaba Remains Active Before IPO China’s dominant e-commerce giant Alibaba continues to make headlines this week, as the company buys out UCWeb for an undisclosed […]
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