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This is a draft registration statement that is being confidentially submitted to the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 14, 2019.

Registration No. 333-            


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



36KR HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)



Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  7389
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza
No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue
Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100026
+86 10 5825-4106

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)



            
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



Copies to:

Li He, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
18/F, The Hong Kong Club Building
3A Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2533-3300

 

Chris K.H. Lin, Esq.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
c/o 35th Floor, ICBC Tower
3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2514-7600



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

           If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o

           If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Emerging growth company ý

           If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

       
 
Title of each class of securities
to be registered

  Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price(1)

  Amount of
registration fee

 

Ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share(2)(3)

  US$               US$            

 

(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)
Includes ordinary shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the shares are first bona fide offered to the public, and also includes ordinary shares that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to an over-allotment option. These ordinary shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States.

(3)
American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No.333-            ). Each American depositary share represents              ordinary shares.



           The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

   


The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to completion
Preliminary Prospectus dated                          , 2019

American Depositary Shares

LOGO

36Kr Holdings Inc.

(incorporated in Cayman Islands)
Representing        Ordinary Shares



        We are selling        American depositary shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents            of our ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. [The selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are selling an additional            ADSs. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the ADSs being sold by the selling shareholders.]

        This is the initial public offering of ADSs of 36Kr Holdings Inc. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between US$        and US$        per ADS. We intend to apply to list the ADSs on the [NYSE/NASDAQ] under the symbol "        ."

        We [and certain selling shareholders] have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional        ADSs from us [and such selling shareholders] at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

        We are an "emerging growth company" under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See "Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company."



        Investing in our ADSs involves risks. See "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 16.



        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense

 
  Per ADS   Total  

Public offering price

  US$     US$    

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

  US$     US$    

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

  US$     US$    

[Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling shareholders

  US$     US$             ]  

(1)
See "Underwriting" for additional disclosure regarding compensation payable by us to the underwriters.

        The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars in New York, New York on                , 2019.



Credit Suisse

 

CICC



   

The date of this prospectus is                , 2019.


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  Page  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    1  

THE OFFERING

    9  

OUR SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING DATA

    11  

RISK FACTORS

    16  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    61  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    62  

DIVIDEND POLICY

    63  

CAPITALIZATION

    64  

DILUTION

    66  

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

    68  

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

    69  

CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

    71  

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

    75  

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    77  

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

    102  

BUSINESS

    106  

REGULATION

    126  

MANAGEMENT

    140  

PRINCIPAL [AND SELLING] SHAREHOLDERS

    147  

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    149  

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

    151  

DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

    163  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

    171  

TAXATION

    173  

UNDERWRITING

    179  

EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING

    191  

LEGAL MATTERS

    192  

EXPERTS

    193  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    194  



        Until            , 2019 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition the dealer's obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, and neither we, nor the underwriters take responsibility for any other information others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the ADSs only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or the time of any sale of the ADSs. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our ADSs discussed under "Risk Factors" and information contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" before deciding whether to buy our ADSs. This prospectus contains information derived from various public sources and certain information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by CIC, a third-party industry research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and market position in China. We refer to this report as the CIC Report. Such information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

Our Mission

        Our mission is to empower New Economy participants to achieve more.

Our Business

        We are a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China.

        New Economy is rapidly transforming businesses through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models. New Economy covers a wide and expanding spectrum of industries, including the Internet, hardware and software technologies, consumer and retail and finance industries. It has brought tremendous opportunities to New Economy participants in China, including New Economy companies driven by and traditional companies being transformed by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, institutional investors and individuals involved in New Economy.

        We started our business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, we have expanded our offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC Survey, we are one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China. With our significant brand influence, we are well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

        High-quality New Economy-focused content is the foundation of our business. We provide insightful reports on companies, timely market updates and thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. We especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, in January 2013, we were the first to report on ByteDance, which later became a world-leading technology company. Meanwhile, our content covers a variety of industries in China's New Economy, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare. With diverse distribution channels, we are the largest New Economy-focused content platform in terms of average monthly PV in the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2019, according to the CIC Report.

        We offer business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to our customers. We address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies by providing them with tailored advertising and

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marketing solutions and other enterprise value-added services. We also help institutional investors identify promising targets, source investment opportunities and connect them with startup companies directly. Additionally, we have cultivated a large number of subscribers who pay for our premium content and other benefits. Through our diverse service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities.

        With high-quality content and diverse business service offerings, we have fostered an affluent and sophisticated user base and as such, attracted a valuable customer base. As of December 31, 2018, we provided business services to 23 of the Global Fortune 100 companies. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, we also provided business services to 59 of the Top 100 New Economy companies in China as measured by market capitalization and valuation, according to the CIC Report. While we started our institutional investors subscription services in the first quarter of 2017, we already covered 46 of the Top 200 institutional investors in China as of December 31, 2018 as measured by assets under management, according to the CIC Report.

        We are supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. With a massive database covering over 800,000 enterprises, we are able to gain valuable insights into the latest development of New Economy. Through data analysis on user and customer preferences, we are able to recommend our content and tailor business service offerings accordingly.

        We have achieved significant revenue growth and profitability. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from RMB120.5 million in 2017 to RMB299.1 million (US$44.6 million) in 2018. Our revenue increased by 223.2% from RMB25.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB83.8 million (US$12.5 million) for the same period in 2019. Our net income increased by 411.4% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB40.5 million (US$6.0 million) in 2018 and our net profit margin increased from 6.6% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2018. We had net loss of RMB7.1 million and RMB13.6 million (US$2.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

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Our Business Model

        The graph below illustrates the evolution of our business model:

GRAPHIC


(1)
In the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2019.

Market Opportunities

        New Economy in China has experienced an upswing in recent years. The market is expected to continue to grow rapidly driven by continuous technological advancements, expanding New Economy participant base, enthusiastic entrepreneurial environment, strong capital investment, favorable regulatory environment and sufficient talent pool.

        The continuous growth of New Economy and its participants has generated increasing demands for New Economy-focused business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC Report, the size of New Economy-focused business services market in China, primarily consisting of these three segments, increased significantly from US$7.0 billion in 2014 to US$20.2 billion in 2018 with a CAGR of approximately 30.3%, and is expected to further grow at a CAGR of approximately 22.5% from 2018 to reach US$55.6 billion by 2023. The rapid growth in this market presents a multitude of opportunities for New Economy-focused business services providers.

Our Strengths

    Prominent brand and pioneering platform;

    High-quality content;

    Comprehensive service offerings;

    Vibrant and self-reinforcing community;

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    Strong data analytics capabilities;

    Visionary management team and strong shareholder support.

Our Strategies

        To further enhance our brand value and maintain our competitive edge, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

    Enrich our content offerings;

    Expand our service offerings and further strengthen our monetization capabilities;

    Grow our user and customer base more efficiently;

    Broaden our data access and enhance data analytics capabilities;

    Explore strategic collaboration, acquisition and expansion opportunities.

Our Challenges

        Investing in our ADSs involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties summarized below, the risks described under the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 16 of, and the other information contained in, this prospectus before you decide whether to purchase our ADSs.

        We face risks and uncertainties in realizing our business objectives and executing our strategies, including:

    We have a limited operating history as a stand-alone company, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain the growth rate that we have experienced to date;

    We are subject to risks associated with operating in the rapidly evolving New Economy sector;

    The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our brand. Negative publicity about us, our services, operations and management, or our affiliates may adversely affect our reputation and business;

    If we fail to provide high-quality content in a timely manner, we may not be able to attract or retain users. If our efforts to attract or retain users are not successful, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected;

    We cannot guarantee our monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate sustainable revenues or profit;

    Our business could suffer if we are unable to retain or hire quality in-house writers and editors;

    Deterioration or termination of cooperation with third-party professional content providers may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations;

    Our business, prospects and financial results may be affected by our relationship with third-party platforms;

    If the content provided on our platform is deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected; and

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    If we fail to develop effective online advertising services, retain or acquire new online advertising customers, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

        In addition, we face risks and uncertainties related to regulatory environment in China, including:

    We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of Internet businesses and companies, including limitations on our ability to own key assets such as our platform.

    Lack of Internet news information license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

    Lack of Internet audio-visual program transmission license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

    Lack of Internet publishing license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our History and Corporate Structure

        Our 36Kr.com website was launched in December 2010, offering New Economy-focused content. In July 2011, Beijing Xieli Zhucheng Finance Information Service Co., Ltd., or Xieli Zhucheng, was incorporated in the PRC. In December 2016, Xieli Zhucheng incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Beijing Sanshiliuke Culture Media Co., Ltd., or Beijing Sanshiliuke, to host all its businesses of New Economy-focused content and business services. In May 2017, Beijing Sanshiliuke changed its name to Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., which later changed its name to Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. in March 2019.

        We incorporated 36Kr Holdings Inc. in the Cayman Islands on December 3, 2018. On December 4, 2018, 36Kr Holding Limited, or the BVI Subsidiary, was incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary. On December 20, 2018, 36Kr Holdings (HK) Limited, or the HK Subsidiary, was incorporated as the BVI Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On February 25, 2019, 36Kr Global Holding (HK) Limited, or 36Kr Global Holding, was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On May 21, 2019, Tianjin Duoke Investment Co., Ltd., or Tianjin Duoke, was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC. On June 25, 2019, Beijing Dake Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Dake, was incorporated as Tianjin Duoke's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC.

        Immediately after the completion of this offering and assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, we expect an aggregate of        % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by our existing shareholders, and an aggregate of        % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by new investors in this offering.

        In August 2019, to obtain control over Beijing Duoke, which we refer to as our VIE, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Beijing Dake with our VIE and its shareholders.

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        The chart below summarizes our corporate legal structure and identifies our principal subsidiaries and our VIE, as of the date of this prospectus.

GRAPHIC


(1)
As of the date of this prospectus, the shareholders of Beijing Duoke consist of:

i.
Xieli Zhucheng, holding 66.1% of equity interest;

ii.
Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), holding 16.5% of equity interest;

iii.
Shenzhen Guohong No. 2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 6.2% of equity interest;

iv.
Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvheng Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 3.9% of equity interest;

v.
Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd., holding 2.1% of equity interest;

vi.
Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.), holding 1.9% of equity interest;

vii.
Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd., holding 1.0% of equity interest;

viii.
Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.), holding 0.3% of equity interest; and

ix.
Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (L.P.), holding 2.1% of equity interest.

Corporate Information

        Our principal executive offices are located at 5-6/F, Tower A1, Junhao Central Park Plaza, No. 10 South Chaoyang Park Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 10 5825 4106.

        Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

        Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal website is https://www.36kr.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

        As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for the last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (as amended by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015), or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the

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assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of such exemptions.

        We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a "large accelerated filer" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.

Conventions Which Apply to this Prospectus

        Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus reflects the following:

    no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase up to                additional ADSs representing                 ordinary shares from us [and the selling shareholders]; and

        Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only:

    "ADRs" refers to the American depositary receipts that evidence our ADSs;

    "ADSs" refers to the American depositary shares, each representing                of our ordinary shares;

    "average monthly PV" during a period is calculated as the total PV during that period across our self-operated platform and our accounts on major third-party platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu, divided by the number of months in that period.

    "Beijing Duoke", "variable interest entity" or "VIE" refers to Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co. Ltd., a company incorporated in the PRC in December, 2016;

    "CAGR" refers to compound annual growth rate;

    "China" or "PRC" refer to the People's Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus only, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau;

    "CIC" refers to China Insights Consultancy Limited, an independent market research and consulting company;

    "CIC Report" refers to an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by CIC in June 2019 to provide information regarding our industry and our market position;

    "CIC Survey" refers to a survey commissioned by us and conducted by CIC in June 2019 to provide information regarding our market position;

    "JingData" refers to Beijing Venture Glory Information Technology Co., Ltd;

    "KOL" refers to key opinion leader;

    "New Economy" refers to businesses that realize rapid growth primarily through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models;

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    "New Economy companies" refers to companies driven by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models;

    "New Economy participants" refers to New Economy companies, traditional companies being transformed by cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, institutional investors and individuals involved in New Economy;

    "ordinary shares" refers to our ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share;

    "PV" refers to page view;

    "RMB" or "Renminbi" refers to the legal currency of the People's Republic of China;

    "US$," "dollars" or "U.S. dollars" refers to the legal currency of the United States; and

    "36Kr", "we," "us," "our company," and "our," refer, to 36Kr Holdings Inc., a Cayman Islands company, its subsidiaries and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial statements, its VIE (or, where the context requires, its predecessors).

        Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at RMB6.7112 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 29, 2019. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. On August 9, 2019, the noon buying rate for Renminbi was RMB7.0613 to US$1.00.

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THE OFFERING

Offering price

  We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$            and US$            per ADS.

ADSs offered by us

 

            ADSs (or            ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).

[ADSs offered by the selling shareholders]

 

[            ADSs (or            ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).]

The ADSs

 

Each ADS represents            ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. The depositary will hold the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our ordinary shares, after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement.

 

You may turn in the ADSs to the depositary in exchange for ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange.

 

We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold the ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended.

 

To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the "Description of American Depositary Shares" section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

Ordinary shares

 

We will issue            ordinary shares represented by the ADSs in this offering (or            ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full).

 

[All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to the equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions on such share-based compensation awards are met.]

 

See "Description of Share Capital."

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Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering

 

Immediately upon the completion of this offering,            ordinary shares will be outstanding, par value US$0.0001 per share (or            ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full), [excluding ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under our share incentive plans as of the date of this prospectus.]

Over-allotment option

 

We [and certain selling shareholders] have granted to the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of            additional ADSs.

Use of proceeds

 

We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately US$             million from this offering, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, which is the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. [We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of ADSs by the selling shareholders.]

 

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering to further enhance our content offerings, expand our business service scope, client base and service depth, improve our data analytics and technological capabilities, and supplement our working capital and achieve other general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."

Lock-up

 

We, [our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders and option holders] have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of ADSs or ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the ADSs or ordinary shares for a period of [180] days after the date of this prospectus. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting" for more information.

[NYSE/NASDAQ] trading symbol

 

                

Payment and settlement

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on            , 2019.

Depositary

 

                

[Directed share program

 

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to an aggregate of        ADSs offered in this offering to our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons.]

Risk factors

 

See "Risk Factors" and other information included in this prospectus for discussions of the risks related to investing in the ADSs. You should carefully consider these risks before deciding to invest in the ADSs.

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OUR SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING DATA

        The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, which is prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019 and summary consolidated cash flows data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Data:

                                     

Revenues:

                                     

Online advertising services           

    73,958     173,783     25,894     17,057     34,778     5,182  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     100,238     14,936     6,339     41,397     6,168  

Subscription services

    4,084     25,072     3,736     2,532     7,627     1,136  

Total revenues

    120,507     299,093     44,566     25,928     83,802     12,486  

Cost of revenues

    (60,749 )   (140,317 )   (20,908 )   (19,788 )   (59,393 )   (8,850 )

Gross profit

    59,758     158,776     23,658     6,140     24,409     3,636  

Operating expenses:

                                     

Sales and marketing expenses

    (32,275 )   (66,984 )   (9,981 )   (10,695 )   (24,093 )   (3,590 )

General and administrative expenses                

    (10,040 )   (24,125 )   (3,595 )   (3,769 )   (7,955 )   (1,185 )

Research and development expenses

    (6,429 )   (22,075 )   (3,289 )   (2,740 )   (9,708 )   (1,447 )

Total operating expenses

    (48,744 )   (113,184 )   (16,865 )   (17,204 )   (41,756 )   (6,222 )

Income/(loss) from operations

    11,014     45,592     6,793     (11,064 )   (17,347 )   (2,586 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                     

Share of loss from equity method investments                

    (549 )   (2,794 )   (416 )   (1,012 )        

Short-term investment income

    371     9,300     1,386     2,368     1,507     224  

Interest income

    12     22     3     10     6     1  

Interest expenses

    (185 )   (97 )   (14 )   (2 )   (9 )   (1 )

Others, net

    1,169     3,322     495     50     (82 )   (12 )

Income/(loss) before income tax

    11,832     55,345     8,247     (9,650 )   (15,925 )   (2,374 )

Income tax (expense)/credit

    (3,909 )   (14,827 )   (2,210 )   2,531     2,321     346  

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     6,037     (7,119 )   (13,604 )   (2,028 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value                           

        (1,025 )   (153 )       (162 )   (24 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )   (17,889 )   (5,764 )   (89,485 )   (13,334 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                    (26,787 )   (3,991 )

Net income/(loss) attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    5,089     (80,567 )   (12,005 )   (12,883 )   (130,038 )   (19,377 )

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        The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019.

 
  As of December 31,   As of March 31,  
 
  2017   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     48,968     7,296     10,847     1,616  

Short-term investments

    102,334     145,451     21,673     137,136     20,434  

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269     27,159     211,364     31,494  

Total current assets

    218,143     399,392     59,511     390,325     58,160  

Total non-current assets

    3,537     16,033     2,389     18,125     2,700  

Total assets

    221,680     415,425     61,900     408,450     60,860  

Total current liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,621     89,955     13,404  

Total liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,621     89,955     13,404  

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit

    221,680     415,425     61,900     408,450     60,860  

        The following table presents our summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

                                     

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )   (6,794 )   (18,802 )   (46,587 )   (6,942 )

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )   (8,388 )   (120,119 )   8,568     1,277  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716     15,603     99,021          

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

        501     74         (102 )   (15 )

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     3,325     495     (39,900 )   (38,121 )   (5,680 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period/year

        45,643     6,801     45,643     48,968     7,296  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period/year

    45,643     48,968     7,296     5,743     10,847     1,616  

Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for the periods indicated. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of

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normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair representation of our operating results for the quarters presented.

 
  For the three months ended  
 
  June 30,
2017
  September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2018
  March 31,
2019
 
 
  RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Revenues:

                                                 

Online advertising services

    6,778     17,409     45,213     17,057     33,903     51,705     71,118     34,778  

Enterprise value-added services

    12,057     7,561     22,696     6,339     10,269     21,128     62,502     41,397  

Subscription services

    973     1,325     1,551     2,532     2,328     9,449     10,763     7,627  

Total revenues

    19,808     26,295     69,460     25,928     46,500     82,282     144,383     83,802  

Cost of revenues

    (17,026 )   (14,222 )   (25,015 )   (19,788 )   (28,254 )   (37,605 )   (54,670 )   (59,393 )

Gross profit

    2,782     12,073     44,445     6,140     18,246     44,677     89,713     24,409  

Operating expenses:

                                                 

Sales and marketing expenses

    (5,315 )   (10,541 )   (12,956 )   (10,695 )   (13,767 )   (18,794 )   (23,728 )   (24,093 )

General and administrative expenses

    (2,141 )   (2,423 )   (3,513 )   (3,769 )   (4,180 )   (6,521 )   (9,655 )   (7,955 )

Research and development expenses

    (1,557 )   (1,745 )   (2,056 )   (2,740 )   (3,595 )   (7,241 )   (8,499 )   (9,708 )

Total operating expenses

    (9,013 )   (14,709 )   (18,525 )   (17,204 )   (21,542 )   (32,556 )   (41,882 )   (41,756 )

(Loss)/Income from operations

    (6,231 )   (2,636 )   25,920     (11,064 )   (3,296 )   12,121     47,831     (17,347 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                                 

Share of loss from equity method investments

            (549 )   (1,012 )   (1,041 )   (741 )        

Short-term investment income

        14     357     2,368     2,650     2,459     1,823     1,507  

Interest income

    4     2     5     10     4     6     2     6  

Interest expenses

    (28 )   (73 )   (84 )   (2 )   (1 )   (24 )   (70 )   (9 )

Others, net

        1,000     169     50     (8 )   521     2,759     (82 )

(Loss)/Income before income tax

    (6,255 )   (1,693 )   25,818     (9,650 )   (1,692 )   14,342     52,345     (15,925 )

Income tax credit/(expense)

    1,338     165     (6,650 )   2,531     498     (4,561 )   (13,295 )   2,321  

Net (loss)/income

    (4,917 )   (1,528 )   19,168     (7,119 )   (1,194 )   9,781     39,050     (13,604 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

                    (338 )   (350 )   (337 )   (162 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (487 )   (515 )   (1,372 )   (5,764 )   (6,787 )   (37,967 )   (69,542 )   (89,485 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                                (26,787 )

Net (loss)/income attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    (5,404 )   (2,043 )   17,796     (12,883 )   (8,319 )   (28,536 )   (30,829 )   (130,038 )

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        In evaluating our business, we consider and use two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of these two non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation. We define adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net income/(loss) before interest income, interest expenses, income tax expense/(credit), depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of our operating performance.

        These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ

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from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

        We compensate for these limitations by reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in it entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

        The following table reconciles our adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EBITDA in 2017, 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which is net income/(loss):

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     6,037     (7,119 )   (13,604 )   (2,028 )

Adjustments:

                                     

Share-based compensation expenses          

    4,888     5,111     762     1,367     1,167     174  

Adjusted net income/(loss)

    12,811     45,629     6,799     (5,752 )   (12,437 )   (1,854 )

Interest income

    (12 )   (22 )   (3 )   (10 )   (6 )   (1 )

Interest expenses

    185     97     14     2     9     1  

Income tax expense/(credit)

    3,909     14,827     2,210     (2,531 )   (2,321 )   (346 )

Depreciation of property and equipment

    487     1,585     236     128     949     141  

Amortization of intangible assets

        18     3         7     1  

Adjusted EBITDA

    17,380     62,134     9,259     (8,163 )   (13,799 )   (2,058 )

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Key Operating Data

        The following tables present our key operating data for the periods indicated:

 
  For the twelve-month period ended  
 
  March 31, 2018   June 30, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2018   March 31, 2019  
 
  (in millions)
 

Average monthly PV

    120.9     127.0     145.6     196.2     225.4  

 

 
  For the Year
Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  

Online advertising services

             

Number of online advertising services customers

    187     320  

Average revenue per online advertising services customer(1) (RMB'000)

    395.5     543.1  

Enterprise value-added services

   
 
   
 
 

Number of enterprise value-added services customers

    140     263  

Average revenue per enterprise value-added services customer(2) (RMB'000)

    303.3     381.1  

Subscription services

   
 
   
 
 

Number of individual subscribers

    15,880     52,551  

Average revenue per individual subscriber(3) (RMB)

    112     204  

Number of institutional investor subscribers

   
14
   
121
 

Average revenue per institutional investor subscriber(4) (RMB'000)

    164.2     118.7  

Notes:

(1)
Equals revenues generated from online advertising services for a period divided by the number of online advertising services customers in the same period.

(2)
Equals revenues generated from enterprise value-added services for a period divided by the number of enterprise value-added services customers in the same period.

(3)
Equals revenues generated from individual subscription services for a period divided by the number of individual subscribers in the same period.

(4)
Equals revenues generated from institutional investor subscription services for a period divided by the number of institutional investor subscribers in the same period.

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RISK FACTORS

        You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making an investment in the ADSs. Any of the following risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The market price of the ADSs could decline significantly as a result of any of these risks and uncertainties, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

We have a limited operating history as a stand-alone company, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain the growth rate that we have experienced to date.

        We commenced our operations as a stand-alone company when we were incorporated by Xieli Zhucheng in December 2016. Since then we have achieved rapid growth in terms of user traffic, customer base and revenues. However, our limited operating history as a stand-alone company may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical growth rates in future periods. Our growth prospects should be considered in light of the risks and uncertainties that fast-growing companies with a limited operating history in our industry may encounter, including, among others, risks and uncertainties regarding our ability to:

        All of these endeavors involve risks and will require significant allocation of management and employee resources and capital expenditures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies effectively. If the market for our platform does not develop as we expect or if we fail to address the needs of this dynamic market, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

We are subject to risks associated with operating in the rapidly evolving New Economy sectors.

        As a New Economy-focused content and business services provider dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, we are subject to risks associated with the rapidly evolving nature of New Economy sectors, including but not limited to technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare. Our future business, financial conditions, and results of operations will largely depend on the development of China's New Economy and the growth of the number of New Economy participants.

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According to the CIC Report, New Economy in China has experienced periods of rapid expansion, and the market size of New Economy-focused online advertising services, enterprise value-added services, and subscription services is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 16.5%, 27.3% and 34.9% from 2018 to 2023, respectively. However, there are significant uncertainties with respect to the growth and sustained profitability of China's New Economy sectors, including changes in general economic conditions in China, New Economy market trends and regulatory environment. Most of these factors are beyond our control. For example, adverse regulatory developments in New Economy sectors in China, such as new or stricter licensing requirements and restrictive industry policies, could materially affect the result of operations and financial conditions of our customers participating in such industries, which may in turn reduce their demand for our services. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our brand. Negative publicity about us, our services, operations and management, or our affiliates may adversely affect our reputation and business.

        We believe that maintaining and enhancing our 36Kr brand is critical to our success, especially user and customer acquisition and retention. Unsuccessful marketing efforts, low-quality content and service offerings and unsatisfying user and customer experience are likely to harm our brand image and value. Furthermore, we were incorporated in December 2016 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xieli Zhucheng, to hold all its businesses of New Economy-focused content and business services. Any negative publicity about our affiliates may be misunderstood as relating to us, which may adversely affect our reputation and business.

        In addition, negative publicity about us, our services, operations and our management may adversely affect our reputation and business. We have from time to time received negative publicity, including negative Internet and blog postings about our company, our business, our management, our services or our affiliates. Certain of such negative publicity may come from malicious harassment or unfair competition acts by third parties. Our brand and reputation may be materially and adversely affected, which in turn may cause us to lose market share, users, customers and other third parties we conduct business with. As a result, our results of operations and financial performance may be negatively affected.

If we fail to provide high-quality content in a timely manner, we may not be able to attract or retain users. If our efforts to attract or retain users are not successful, our business and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

        We have experienced significant user growth over the past several years. Our success depends on our ability to generate sufficient user traffic on our platform through the provision of high-quality New Economy-focused content. To attract and retain users, we need to further enrich our content by producing and sourcing new high-quality content in a cost-effective and timely manner. Furthermore, we need to anticipate and quickly respond to changing user preferences, development in New Economy market trends. If we fail to cater to the needs and preferences of our users or deliver high-quality content in an efficient manner, we may suffer from reduced user traffic. In addition, if our valuable users no longer contribute their opinions or comments or other forms of interactive content to our platform, we may experience a decrease in the number of users or level of user engagement. At the same time, spam or excessive advertisement could impact user experience on our platform, which could damage our reputation and deter visits to our platform. If we are unable to grow our user base or increase user engagement, our platform will become less attractive to potential customers, especially online advertising customers. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

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We cannot guarantee our monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate sustainable revenues or profit.

        We currently generate a majority of our revenues from online advertising services. Nevertheless, we have been diversifying and may further diversify our monetization channels by introducing new services, including services with which we have limited or no prior experience. We have been expanding our comprehensive enterprise value-added service offerings to meet various demands of our customers. We cannot assure that any of our newly launched services will successfully achieve wide market acceptance, increase the penetration of our addressable market or generate revenues or profit. If our business initiatives fail to enhance our monetization abilities, we may not be able to maintain or increase our revenues or recover any associated costs, and our business and operating results may suffer as a result.

Our business could suffer if we are unable to retain or hire quality in-house writers and editors.

        We rely primarily on our in-house writers and editors to create high-quality original content. We intend to continue to invest resources in our in-house writer and editorial team to maintain and improve content creation capabilities. Nevertheless, the demand and competition for talent is intense in our industry, particularly for skilled writers and editors. Therefore, we may need to offer high compensation and additional benefits to maintain a skilled in-house content creation team, which could increase our expenses. If we fail to compete effectively for talents, lose existing writers or editors, or fail to otherwise maintain an in-house content creation team at reasonable costs, our in-house content creation capabilities would be negatively affected. Any deterioration in our in-house content creation capabilities may materially and adversely affect our business and operating results. If we are unable to offer high-quality original content in a cost-effective manner, our user experience may be adversely affected, and we may suffer from reduced user traffic. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected as a result.

Deterioration or termination of cooperation with third-party professional content providers may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

        Third-party professional content constitutes a meaningful part of our content offerings, and we intend to continue to attract and explore new partnership with third-party professional content providers. If we fail to maintain our relationship with them, or they fail to provide content of satisfactory quality upon terms commercially acceptable to us, we may loss a significant portion of high-quality content offerings, and as a result our brand and operations could be materially harmed.

Our business, prospects and financial results may be affected by our relationship with third-party platforms.

        We distribute certain of our content through our accounts on leading third-party Internet and social networking platforms, including Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao and Zhihu. These third-party platforms enable us to effectively extend our user reach and enhance our influence. To the extent that we fail to leverage such third-party channels, our ability to attract or retain users may be harmed. If our relationship with these third-party platforms deteriorates or is terminated or we fail to establish or maintain relationships with them on commercially viable terms, we may not be able to quickly locate alternative channels. As a result, the aforementioned circumstances may limit our ability to continue growing our user base and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If the content provided on our platform is deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

        China has enacted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers are prohibited from

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posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China or the public interest, or is obscene, superstitious, fraudulent, violent or defamatory. Internet content providers are also prohibited from displaying content that may be deemed by relevant government authorities as "socially destabilizing" or leaking "state secrets" of China. In addition, certain news items, such as news relating to national security, may not be published without permission from the PRC regulatory authorities. If the PRC regulatory authorities were to take any action to limit or prohibit the distribution of information through our platform or our services, or to limit or regulate any current or future content or services available to users on our platform, our business could be significantly harmed.

        In addition, we operate discussion forum, blog, comment section and user survey for our users to interact on our platform, such as expressing opinions, posting comments and discussing with each other, and thereby generating our user interactive content. We have implemented an efficient and thorough content screening and monitoring mechanism which involve both automated filtering and manual review, to timely remove any inappropriate or illegal content, including interactive content on our platform. However, such procedures may not prevent all illegal or impropriate content or comments from being posted, and our editorial staff may fail to review and screen such content or comments effectively.

        Failure to identify and prevent illegal or inappropriate content from being distributed on our platform may subject us to liability. To the extent that PRC regulatory authorities find any content on our platform objectionable, they may require us to limit or eliminate the dissemination of such content on our platform in the form of take-down orders or otherwise. In addition, PRC laws and regulations are subject to interpretation by the relevant authorities, and it may not be possible to determine in all cases the types of content that could result in our liability as a platform operator.

If we fail to develop effective online advertising services, retain or acquire new online advertising customers, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

        We generate a majority of our revenues from online advertising services. Revenue generated from online advertising services accounted for 61.4% and 58.1% of our total revenues in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Revenue generated from online advertising services accounted for 65.8% and 41.5% of our total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our ability to generate and maintain our revenues from online advertising services depends on a number of factors, including our brand value, our user and customer base and competition in the online advertising services market. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain or acquire online advertising customers in the future or maintain or increase pricing of online advertising services. For instance, if our online advertising customers find that they can gain public attention more efficiently elsewhere, or if our competitors provide online advertising services that suit their goals better, we may lose our online advertising customers. In addition, third parties may develop and use certain technologies to block the display of our online advertising customers' advertisements on our platform. As a result, we may lose our online advertising customers or be forced to reduce our pricing as our customers' advertisement becomes less effective due to more limited reach, which in turn materially and adversely affects our results of operations. Additionally, if our online advertising customers determine that their advertising expenditures on our platform do not generate expected returns, they may bargain with us for lower pricing or reduce or terminate cooperation with us. Furthermore, given most of our online advertising service agreement with customers are short-term contracts, our customers may reduce or discontinue cooperation with us easily without incurring material liabilities.

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We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of Internet businesses and companies, including limitations on our ability to own key assets such as our platform.

        The Chinese government heavily regulates the Internet industry, including foreign investment in the Chinese Internet industry, content on the Internet and license and permit requirements for services providers in the Internet industry. Since some of the laws, regulations and legal requirements with respect to the Internet are relatively new and evolving, their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. In addition, the Chinese legal system is based on written statutes, such that prior court decisions can only be cited for reference and have little precedential value. As a result, in many cases it is difficult to determine what actions or omissions may result in liabilities. Issues, risks and uncertainties relating to China's government regulation of the Chinese Internet sector include the following:

        Due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet and other online services, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other online services covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, antitrust and characteristics and quality of products and services. The adoption of additional laws or regulations may impede the growth of the Internet or other online services, which could, in turn, decrease the demand for our content and services and increase our cost of doing business. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet and other online services of existing laws in various jurisdictions governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel and personal privacy is uncertain and may take years to resolve. Any new legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could significantly disrupt our operations or subject us to penalties.

        The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies, the stated positions of relevant PRC government authorities and possible new laws, regulations or policies have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, Internet businesses in China, including our business.

Lack of Internet news information license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        The PRC government regulates the Internet industry extensively, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing requirements pertaining to, companies in the Internet industry. A number of regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, or the MOC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, the National Radio and Television Administration, or the NRTA (previously known as the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT), the State Council Information Office, or the SCIO, and other governmental authorities, jointly regulate all major aspects of the Internet industry. Operators are required to obtain various government approvals and licenses prior to providing the relevant Internet information services.

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        The content provided on our platform, including New Economy-focused industry reports, market updates, flash updates, columns and interviews, may be deemed to be news information content. Pursuant to the Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services issued by the national CAC on May 2, 2017 that became effective on June 1, 2017, an Internet news information license shall be obtained for a provider of Internet news information services to the public in a variety of ways, including forwarding Internet news information and offering of platforms for the dissemination of Internet news information. As such, we may be required to obtain an Internet news information license from CAC for our business. In practice, competent Internet news information services providers that are not state-owned, such as our company, may need to introduce a state-owned shareholder in order to facilitate the application and approval process for the Internet news information license. See "Regulations—Regulation on Internet News Services."

        In addition, according to the Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services, those that apply for a license for Internet news information collecting, editing and publishing service shall be news agencies (including the entities held thereby) or the entities under the charge of news publicity authorities. Internet news information services providers shall separate their news collection and editing services from other operational businesses and non-state-owned capitals shall not engage in services of collecting and editing Internet news information. We are not a news agency or a state-owned entity engaging in services of collecting and editing Internet news information. As such, we may not be permitted to collect and edit Internet news information. As a result, the CAC or its applicable office at the provincial level may, at its sole discretion, order us to cease relevant operations, and impose a fine of more than RMB 10,000 and less than RMB 30,000; where a crime is constituted, it shall be subject to criminal liabilities.

        We plan to apply for the Internet news information license from the CAC through our VIE when it is feasible to do so. However, there can be no assurance that our application will be accepted or approved by the CAC. In the event we fail to obtain the Internet news information license, we may be ordered to suspend relevant business and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to any administrative penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the Internet news information license. However, in the past, CAC ordered certain PRC companies to suspend their online content offerings for a certain period of time due to their lack of Internet news information license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to similar or other penalties, such as any warning, investigations, suspension of some or all of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of Internet audio-visual program transmission license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        Pursuant to the Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-visual Program Service, or the Audio-visual Program Provisions, which was issued by the MIIT and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or the SARFT (the predecessor of SAPPRFT) on December 20, 2007 and came into effect on January 31, 2008 and was amended on August 28, 2015, online transmission of audio and video programs requires an Internet audio-visual program transmission license and online audio-visual services providers must be either wholly state-owned or state-controlled. In a press conference jointly held by SARFT and MIIT to answer questions with respect to the Audio-visual Program Provisions in February 2008, SARFT and MIIT clarified that online audio-visual services providers that had already been operating lawfully prior to the issuance of the Audio-visual Program Provisions may re-register and continue to operate without becoming state-owned or controlled, provided that such providers have not engaged in any unlawful activities. This exemption will not be granted to online audio-video

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services providers established after the Audio-visual Program Provisions was issued. See "Regulation—Regulations on Internet Audio-visual Program Services."

        We provide our content in various formats, including a small portion of audio and video, and we plan to continue to offer audio and video content on our platform. If such content offerings are considered as online transmission of audio and video programs, we may be required to obtain the Internet audio-visual program transmission license. We currently do not possess such license. If the relevant regulatory authorities find our operations to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, we may receive a warning and be ordered to rectify such non-compliance and pay a fine of not more than RMB30,000. In severe cases, we may be ordered to cease transmission of audio and video programs, be subject to a penalty equal to one to two times our total investment in the affected business and the devices we used for such operation may be confiscated. Furthermore, according to the Audiovisual Program Provisions, the telecommunications administrative authorities may, based on written opinions of the SARFT, and in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations on supervision of telecommunications and Internet, close our platform, revoke the relevant license or filings for the provision of Internet information service and order the relevant network operation entity which provides us signal access services to stop such provision of services. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to any administrative penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the Internet audio-visual program transmission license. However, in the past, the relevant governmental authorities penalized certain PRC companies due to their lack of the Internet audio-visual program transmission license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations suspension of some of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of Internet publishing license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        On February 4, 2016, the SAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing Services, or the Internet Publishing Rules, which took effect in March 10, 2016 and prohibit wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises from engaging in the provision of web publishing services. Under these rules, providers of online publications are required to hold the Internet publishing license. However, uncertainty remains regarding the interpretation of relevant concepts, including "online publications" under the current PRC laws and regulations. Although we have not been required by the General Administration of Press and Publication or other relevant authorities to obtain the Internet publishing license as of the date of this prospectus, we may face further scrutiny by such authorities and they may require us to apply for such license or subject us to penalties. In addition, cooperation between Internet publishing services providers and wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, or Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises within China or overseas organizations or individuals engaging in Internet publishing business shall be subject to examination and approval by the General Administration of Press and Publication in advance. See "Regulations—Regulations on Internet Publishing."

        If the provision of our in-house-generated content, in the forms of articles, pictures, audio and video clips, on our online platform is considered "online publishing", we may be required to obtain the Internet publishing license. If the relevant regulatory authorities find our operations without an Internet publishing license to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, such regulatory authorities may order us to cease relevant operations or close our platform, or confiscate the devices we used for such operation. If our revenue from such violation is less than RMB10,000, the relevant regulatory authorities may impose a fine of less than RMB50,000. If our revenue from such violation is RMB10,000 or above, such regulatory authorities may impose a fine equivalent to five to ten times of our revenue from the violation. In addition to the administrative penalties, our operation without the Internet publishing license may also subject us to civil and criminal liabilities.

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        We plan to apply for the Internet publishing license through our VIE when it is feasible to do so. However, there can be no assurance that the application will be accepted or approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the license. However, in the past, the relevant governmental authorities penalized certain PRC companies due to their lack of the Internet publishing license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations suspension of some or all of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of online culture operating permit may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        On February 17, 2011, the Ministry of Culture (the predecessor of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) issued the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, or the Internet Culture Provision, which was amended in 2017. According to the Internet Culture Provision, Internet culture activities include: (i) production, reproduction, import, release or broadcast of Internet culture products (such as online music, online game, online performance and cultural products by certain technical means and copied to the Internet for spreading); (ii) distribution or publication of cultural products on Internet; and (iii) exhibitions, competitions and other similar activities concerning Internet culture products. Pursuant to the Internet Culture Provision, commercial Internet culture activities shall be approved by the relevant cultural administration authorities or cultural market enforcement authorities. See "Regulation—Regulations on Online Culture Administration."

        Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations as well as inquiry with PRC government, our content and services may not be considered as "online culture product." However, there is uncertainty with respect to the interpretation and application of PRC laws. If our content and services are considered as "online culture product", we will be required to obtain the online culture operating permit from the relevant local branches of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Additionally, if the relevant regulatory authorities find our current operations without an online culture operating permit to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, we may receive a warning and be ordered to cease our relevant operation, and may also be subject to a fine of no more than RMB30,000. If we refuse to cease the relevant operation, we may also be blacklisted publicly as an uncreditworthy entity. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the permit. However, in the past, the Ministry of Culture Tourism or its relevant local branch ordered certain PRC companies to suspend their online content offering for a certain period of time due to their lack of the online culture operating permit. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations suspension of some or all of our content offerings or other penalties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lack of production and operation of radio and television programs license may expose us to administrative sanctions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        On July 19, 2004, the SARFT promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, or the Radio and TV Programs Regulations, which came into effect on August 20, 2004 and was amended on August 28, 2015. Pursuant to the Radio and TV Programs Regulations, entities engaging in the production of radio and television programs must obtain a production and operation of radio and television program license from the SARFT or its counterparts at the provincial level. Holders of such licenses must conduct their business operations strictly in compliance within the approved scope as provided in the licenses. See "Regulation—Regulations on the Administration of Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs."

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        Our in-house content are generated in the forms of articles, pictures, audio and video clips. Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations as well as inquiry with PRC government, radio and television programs primarily refer to content distributed on radio and television instead of on mobile apps and websites. However, there is uncertainty with respect to the interpretation and application of PRC laws. If our in-house generated audio and video content are considered as radio and television programs, we will be required to obtain the production and operation of radio and television program license. Additionally, the relevant regulatory authorities may also find our current operations without the production and operation of radio and television program license to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations. As a result, we may be ordered to cease our relevant operation, or be subject to a fine of RMB10,000 to RMB50,000 and a confiscation of devices used in our relevant operation. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of the license. However, in the past, the relevant governmental authorities penalized certain PRC companies due to their lack of production and operation of radio and television programs license. As such, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations or other penalties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to complete the update procedures of or maintain the ICP license, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

        PRC regulations impose sanctions for engaging in Internet information services of a commercial nature without having obtained an Internet content provider license, or the ICP license. These sanctions include corrective orders and warnings from the PRC communication administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the mobile apps and websites may be ordered to cease operation. See "Regulation—Regulations on Value-added Telecommunication Services."

        Our PRC variable interest entity, Beijing Duoke, has obtained a valid ICP license, which will remain effective until March 13, 2020. As Beijing Duoke has changed its name from Beijing Pinxin and its registered capital within the validity period of its ICP license, we are required and we plan to apply for the update of the ICP license through Beijing Duoke. Given the evolving regulatory environment of the value-added telecommunication business, we cannot assure you that we will timely complete the update. In the event that the local telecommunication regulatory authority puts our update application on hold or we fail to complete the update of ICP license, we could be found in violation of the regulations governing the provision of Internet information services and may receive a warning and be ordered to rectify such non-compliance and pay a fine of more than RMB5,000 but not more than RMB30,000. As a result our operations and financial condition could be harmed materially. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain or renew our ICP license, which would subject us to the sanctions such as the imposition of fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations or other sanctions as stipulated in the new regulatory rules, and materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary actions from the relevant governmental authorities for failure to update the permit. However, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations or penalties that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Advertisements on our platform may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions.

        Under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we are obligated to monitor the advertising content shown on our platform to ensure that such content is true, accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, where a special government review is required for specific types of advertisements prior to posting, such as advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical

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instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals, we are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and approval has been obtained from competent governmental authorities. To fulfill these monitoring functions, we typically include clauses in our online advertising contracts requiring that all advertising content provided by online advertising customers must comply with relevant laws and regulations. Under PRC law, we may have claims against online advertising customers for all damages to us caused by their breach of such representations. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our online advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, such as posting a pharmaceutical product advertisement without approval, or posting an advertisement for fake pharmaceutical product, PRC regulatory authorities may force us to terminate our online advertising operation or revoke our licenses. See "Regulations—Regulations on Online Advertising Services."

        A majority of the advertisements shown on our platform are provided to us by third parties. Although we have implemented automated and manual content monitoring systems and significant efforts have been made to ensure that the advertisements shown on our platform are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true, accurate and legitimate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the uncertainty in the application of these laws and regulations. The inability of our systems and procedures to adequately and timely discover such evasions may subject us to regulatory penalties or administrative sanctions. Although we have not been subject to material penalties or administrative sanctions in the past for the advertisements shown on our platform, if we are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations in the future, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. See "Regulations—Regulations on Online Advertising Services."

We face competition in major aspects of our business. If we are unable to compete effectively in the industry we operate, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

        The New Economy-focused business services market is highly competitive. Our online advertising services face competition from other content-based online advertising services providers as well as technology channels of major Internet information portals, such as Sina and Tencent News. For our enterprise value-added services, we face competition from other New Economy-focused enterprise value-added services providers as well as traditional marketing, consulting and public relation companies. We also compete with paid content services providers with respect to our subscription services. We also face competition from traditional advertising media. If we cannot effectively compete with these platforms and distribution channels for marketing budgets of our existing and potential customers, our results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected.

        Our competition is primarily centered on increasing user traffic, user engagement and brand recognition, as well as customer acquisition and retention, among other factors. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial resources than we do, which may allow them to attract and retain more users and customers. Our competitors may compete with us in a variety of ways, including by offering popular content, introducing new business services, conducting more aggressive brand promotions and other marketing activities and through investments and acquisitions. If any of our competitors achieves greater market acceptance or is able to offer more attractive content and business services than us, our user traffic, customer acquisition and retention, brand value and market share may decrease, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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If we are unable to conduct our marketing activities cost-effectively, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

        We have incurred expenses on a variety of marketing and branding activities. In 2017 and 2018, we incurred RMB32.3 million and RMB67.0 million (US$10.0 million) in sales and marketing expenses, accounting for 26.8% and 22.4% of our total revenues, respectively. Our marketing and branding activities may not be well received, successful or cost-effective, which may lead to significantly higher marketing expenses in the future. We may also not be able to continue our existing marketing and branding activities. Failure to refine our existing marketing strategies or introduce new effective marketing strategies in a cost-effective manner could impact our business operations and financial performance.

Content provided on our platform may expose us to libel or other legal claims which may result in costly legal damages.

        Claims may be threatened and filed against us for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, intellectual property right infringements and other theories based on the nature and content of the information distributed on our platform. While we screen our content for such potential liability, there is no assurance that our screening process will identify all potential liability, especially liability arising from our user interactive content and content we source from third parties. In the past, there was no claim brought against us which resulted in material liability, but we cannot assure you we will not be subject to future claims that could be costly, encourage similar lawsuits, distract our management team and harm our reputation and possibly our business.

If we are unable to manage our growth, our business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

        We have experienced rapid growth since our incorporation in 2016. To manage our business expansion, we need to continuously expand and enhance our infrastructure and technology, and improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and internal controls. We cannot assure you that our current and planned personnel, infrastructure, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our expanding operations. We may be required to spend more on sales and marketing in order to support any such expansion and our efforts may not be effective. If we fail to manage our expansion effectively or efficiently, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We may face challenges in expanding our international and local operations.

        We rely on our diversified distribution channels to deliver our content to users in a cost-effective and timely manner. Specifically, we collaborate with established overseas and local media companies in setting up overseas and local stations. As of the date of this prospectus, we have established local stations covering seven cities in China and launched krasia.com in Singapore and 36kr.jp in Japan. On the one hand, we face risks associated with expanding into new regions and markets in which we have limited or no experience and in which our brand may be less known. We may be unable to attract a sufficient number of users and other participants through our overseas and local stations. We may face fierce competition from overseas and local markets or other difficulties in operating effectively in these new markets. On the other hand, our international expansion and local penetration will also expose us to risk such as increased demands on management, operational and financial resources, different regulatory compliance requirements and exchange rate fluctuations, among others. One or more of these factors could adversely impact our international and local operations. Accordingly, any efforts we make to expand our international and local operations may not be successful.

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Future investments in and acquisitions of complementary assets, technologies and businesses may fail and may result in equity or earnings dilution.

        We may invest in or acquire assets, technologies and businesses that are complementary to our existing business. Our investments or acquisitions may not yield the results we expect. In addition, investments and acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, significant amortization expenses related to goodwill or intangible assets and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. Furthermore, if such goodwill or intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to our results of operations. Such investments and acquisitions may also require our management team to devote a significant amount of attention. Moreover, the cost of identifying and consummating investments and acquisitions, and integrating the acquired businesses into ours, may be significant, and the integration of acquired businesses may be disruptive to our existing business operations. In addition, we may have to obtain approval from the relevant PRC governmental authorities for the investments and acquisitions and comply with any applicable PRC rules and regulations, which may be costly. In the event our investments and acquisitions are not successful, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

We have recorded negative cash flows from operating activities historically. We may need additional capital, and we may be unable to obtain such capital in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, or at all.

        We have experienced cash outflow from operating activities in history. We recorded net cash used in operating activities of RMB11.4 million, RMB45.6 million (US$6.8 million), RMB18.8 million and RMB46.6 million (US$6.9 million) in 2017, 2018 and the three months ended 2018 and 2019, respectively. The cost of continuing operations could further reduce our cash position, and an increase in our net cash outflow from operating activities could adversely affect our operations by reducing the amount of cash available to meet the capital needs for our daily operation and future business expansion. Our ability to obtain additional capital is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:

        We may be unable to obtain additional capital in a timely manner or on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, due to future capital needs and other business reasons, we may need to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities could dilute our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations or our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

If we fail to collect accounts receivable from our customers in a timely manner, our business operations and financial results may be materially and adversely affected.

        We typically extend to our customers credit terms ranging from 90 to of 180 days, resulting in accounts receivable. We generally make a credit assessment of our customers before entering into an agreement with them. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that we are or will be able to accurately assess the creditworthiness of each customer. Furthermore, the financial soundness of our customers, which is beyond our control, may affect our collection of accounts receivable. Any delay in payment or failed payment may adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows, which in turn has a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial results.

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Our current dependence on a limited number of customers may cause significant fluctuations or declines in our revenues.

        A considerable portion of our revenues is derived from a limited number of our customers. In 2018, our top five customers in aggregate accounted for approximately 30% of our total revenues, and our largest customer accounted for 19% of our total revenues. Our largest customer in 2018 is a third-party advertising agency. Through our cooperation with this agency, we provided online advertising services to 45 companies, who are our end customers, in 2018. Nevertheless, there are inherent risks whenever a large percentage of total revenues are concentrated with a limited number of customers. It may not be possible for us to predict the future level of demand for our services by our largest customers. Actions taken by our largest customers to exploit their comparably superior bargaining position when negotiating for renewals of services agreements or otherwise could also have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, revenues from the largest customers may fluctuate from time to time for reasons beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we can maintain relationships with our largest customers on commercially desirable terms. If any of the foregoing were to occur, we could be pressured to reduce the prices we charge for our services or risk losing our largest customers, which could have an adverse effect on our revenues and margins, and could negatively affect our financial position and results of operations and/or trading price of our ADSs.

The continued and collaborative efforts of our senior management and key employees are crucial to our success, and our business may be harmed if we lose their services.

        Our success depends on the continued and collaborative efforts of our senior management. If, however, one or more of our executives or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue to provide services to us, we may not be able to find suitable replacements easily or at all. Competition for management and key personnel is intense and the pool of qualified candidates is limited. We may not be able to retain the services of our executives or key personnel, or attract and retain experienced executives or key personnel in the future. If any of our executive officers or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing business, we may lose crucial business secrets, technological know-hows, customers and other valuable resources.

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims or other allegations by third parties for information or content distributed on our platform, which may be expensive to defend and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.

        Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to operate our business without infringing third-party rights, including third-party intellectual property rights. Companies in the Internet, technology and media industries own, and are seeking to obtain, a large number of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, and they are frequently involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights or other related legal rights. The validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights in Internet-related industries, particularly in China, are uncertain and still evolving. As we face increasing competition and as litigation becomes more common in China in resolving commercial disputes, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims.

        While our content screening and monitoring mechanism screens content for potential copyright infringements, we may not be able to identify all instances of copyright infringement, especially those arising from professional content we source from third parties. For example, content providers may submit copyrighted content that they have no right to distribute. In the event we deliver content that violates the copyrights of a third party, we may be required to pay damages to compensate such third party. In addition, our platform allows our users to voice their opinions, express their views, discuss with each other and provide feedbacks to our content. Content posted by our users may expose us to allegations by third parties of infringement of intellectual property rights, invasion of privacy,

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defamation and other violations of third-party rights. Pursuant to our user agreement, users agree not to post any content that is illegal, obscene or may otherwise violate generally accepted codes of ethics. We have also implemented automated and manual review of the content on our platform. However, there is no assurance that we can to identify and remove all potentially infringing content uploaded by our users. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

        Third parties may take action and file claims against us if they believe that certain content on our site violates their copyrights or other related legal rights. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to such claims in the PRC.

        In addition, we operate our platform primarily through our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries, and our ability to monitor content as described above depends in large part on the experience and skills of the management of, and our control over, those consolidated affiliated entities. Our control over the management and operations of our consolidated affiliated entities through contractual arrangements may not be as effective as that through direct ownership. See "—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders to operate our business, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control and otherwise materially and adversely affect our business."

        Although we have not been subject to claims or lawsuits with respect to copyright infringement outside of China, we cannot assure you that we will not become subject to copyright laws or legal proceedings initiated by third parties in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, as a result of the ability of users to access our content in the United States and other jurisdictions, the ownership of our ADSs by investors in the United States and other jurisdictions, the extraterritorial application of foreign law by foreign courts, the fact that we sub-licensed content from licensors who in turn obtained their authorizations from content providers in the United States and other jurisdictions or otherwise. In addition, as a publicly listed company, we may be exposed to increased risk of litigation. If a claim of infringement brought against us in the United States or other jurisdictions is successful, we may be required to, upon enforcement, (i) pay substantial statutory or other damages and fines, (ii) remove relevant content from our platform or (iii) enter into royalty or license agreements which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could cause us to be less competitive and harm our business.

        We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws and confidentiality agreements and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our copyrighted content and other intellectual property. Monitoring such unauthorized use is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. The PRC has historically afforded less protection to a company's intellectual property than the United States and the Cayman Islands, and therefore companies such as ours operating in the PRC face an increased risk of intellectual property piracy.

        In addition, we entered into a trademark transfer agreement with Xieli Zhucheng, pursuant to which it has agreed to transfer certain trademarks to us. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not finished the trademark transferring registration, which could impair our ability to protect our trademark rights and prevent others from unauthorized use of such trademarks.

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We may from time to time become a party to litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings that may materially and adversely affect us.

        We may from time to time become a party to various litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We may also get involved in legal disputes, claims or litigation in connection with our major corporate actions. For example, in connection with our reorganization, shareholders of Xieli Zhucheng are entitled to designate an entity to subscribe for and/or receive shares of our company reflecting their respective indirect ownership percentages in our VIE before completion of the reorganization. Certain shareholder of Xieli Zhucheng, however, has not officially responded to Xieli Zhucheng's request for such designation. As such, Xieli Zhucheng designated an offshore entity to hold the shares that such shareholder is entitled to receive in the reorganization, which represent [1.5]% of our total outstanding shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering, pending further instructions from such shareholder. We cannot assure you, however, that such shareholder will be satisfied with such arrangement or will not file any claim or lawsuit against Xieli Zhucheng or us to claim for damages or even challenge the validity of the reorganization and our contractual arrangements with our VIE.

        We cannot predict the outcome of any litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings. If any verdict or award is rendered against us or if we decide to settle the disputes, we may be required to incur monetary damages or other liabilities. Even if we can successfully defend ourselves, we may have to incur substantial costs and spend substantial time and efforts in these lawsuits. Negative publicity relating to such litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings may damage our reputation and adversely affect the image of our brand and services. Furthermore, any litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings which are not of material importance may escalate due to the various factors involved, such as the facts and circumstances of the cases, the likelihood of winning or losing, the monetary amount at stake, and the parties concerned continue to evolve in the future, and such factors may result in these cases becoming of material importance to us. Consequently, any ongoing or future litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have undertaken strategic partnerships which may not be successful. If our collaboration with any of our strategic partners is terminated or curtailed, or if we are no longer able to benefit from the business collaborations with our strategic partners, our business may be adversely affected.

        Our business has benefited from our collaborations with our strategic partners to provide services that are critical to our businesses. For example, through our strategic partnership with JingData, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xieli Zhucheng, we collectively contribute to and manage a massive database of over 800,000 enterprises, which is essential to our business. If there is a material disruption in the business of JingData, or any systems failure or security breach or lapse from JingData, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that such alliances or partnerships will make a positive contribution to our business, and we might not be able to maintain our cooperative relationships with our strategic partners and their respective affiliates in the future. If the services provided by these strategic partners become limited, compromised, restricted, curtailed or less effective or become more expensive or unavailable to us for any reason, our business may be materially and adversely affected. To the extent we cannot maintain our cooperative relationships with any of these strategic partners, it may be very difficult for us to identify other alternative partners, which may divert significant management attention from existing business operations and adversely impact our daily operation and customer experience.

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We rely on third-party online payment platforms as to certain aspects of our operations. If these payment services are restricted or curtailed in any way or become unavailable to us or our users for any reason, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

        Our customers may pay for our service using a variety of different online payment methods. We rely on third parties to process such payment. Acceptance and processing of these payment methods are subject to certain rules and regulations and require payment of interchange and other fees. To the extent there are increases in payment processing fees, material changes in the payment ecosystem, such as delays in receiving payments from payment processors and/or changes to rules or regulations concerning payment processing, our revenue, operating expenses and results of operation could be adversely impacted.

Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed by service disruptions, or by our failure to timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and infrastructure.

        We may experience service disruptions, outages and other performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, human or software errors, hardware failure, capacity constraints due to an overwhelming number of people accessing our services simultaneously, computer viruses and denial of service, fraud and security attacks. Any disruption or failure in our infrastructure could hinder our ability to handle existing or increased traffic on our platform or cause us to lose content stored on our platform, which could significantly harm our business and our ability to retain existing users and attract new users.

        As the number of our users increases and as we continue to diversify into new content formats, we may be required to expand and adapt our technology and infrastructure to continue to reliably store, analyze and deliver content. It may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve the performance of our services, especially during peak usage times, as our services become more complex and our user traffic increases. If our users are unable to access our platform or we are not able to make information available rapidly on our platform, or at all, users may become frustrated and seek other channels for their New Economy-focused content, and may not return to our platform or use our platform as often in the future, or at all. This would negatively impact our ability to attract users and maintain high level of user engagements as well as our ability to attract online advertising customers.

Our operations depend on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunications networks in China. Any malfunction, capacity constraint or operation interruption may have an adverse impact on our business.

        The successful operation of our business depends on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China. Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. Moreover, we primarily rely on a limited number of telecommunication services providers to provide us with data communications capacity. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China's Internet infrastructure or the telecommunications networks provided by telecommunications services providers. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with the increasing traffic on our platform. However, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunications services providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and Internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. If Internet access fees or other charges to Internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be harmed.

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Privacy concerns relating to our services and the use of user information could damage our reputation, deter current and potential users and customers from using our services and negatively impact our business.

        We collect personal data from our users in order to better study and predict the preferences and demands of our users, and in turn tailor and recommend our content offerings accordingly. Concerns about the collection, use, disclosure or security of personal information or other privacy-related matters, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation, cause us to lose users and customers and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. While we strive to comply with applicable data protection laws and regulations, as well as our own posted privacy policies and other obligations we may have with respect to privacy and data protection, the failure or perceived failure to comply may result, and in some cases has resulted, in inquiries and other proceedings or actions against us by government agencies or others, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation and brand, each of which could cause us to lose users and customers, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

        Any systems failure or compromise of our security that results in the unauthorized access to or release of our users' or customers' data could significantly limit the adoption of our services, as well as harm our reputation and brand and, therefore, our business. We expect to continue to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches. The risk that these types of events could seriously harm our business is likely to increase as we expand the number of products and services we offer and expand our user base.

        New laws or regulations concerning data protection, or the interpretation and application of existing consumer and data protection laws or regulations, which is often uncertain and in flux, may be inconsistent with our practices. Complying with new laws and regulations could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business. See "Regulation—Regulation on Privacy Protection."

If our security measures are breached, or if our services are subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our services, our services may be perceived as not being secure, users may curtail or stop using our services and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed.

        Our services involve the storage and transmission of users' information, and security breaches expose us to a risk of loss of this information, litigation and potential liability. Our user data is encrypted and saved on cloud-based servers, protected by access control, and further backed up in long-distance servers, so as to minimize the possibility of data loss or breach. Upon a security breach, our technical team will be notified immediately and diagnose and solve the technical problems. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not experienced any material incidents of security breach.

        Despite the security measures we have implemented, we may experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees, including attempts to hack into our user accounts or redirect our user traffic to other websites. Functions that facilitate interactivity with other mobile applications, which among other things allows users to log into our platform using their accounts or identities, could increase the scope of access of hackers to user accounts. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or otherwise. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our users' data or accounts, or may otherwise obtain access to such data or accounts. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence in the security of our services that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, the market perception of

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the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed, we could lose users and we may be exposed to significant legal and financial risks, including legal claims and regulatory fines and penalties. Any of these actions could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our user and customer operating metrics and other estimates are subject to inherent challenges in measuring our operating performance, which may harm our reputation.

        We regularly review our operating metrics in relation to our users and customers to evaluate growth trends, measure our performance, and make strategic decisions. These metrics are calculated using our internal data as well as third-party platform's data, have not been validated by an independent third party, and may not be indicative of our future operation results. While these numbers are based on what we believe to be reasonable estimates for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring how our platform is used across a large population in China. For example, we may not be able to distinguish individual users who have multiple registered accounts across our self-operated platform and third-party platforms. Errors or inaccuracies in our metrics or data could result in incorrect business decisions and inefficiencies. For instance, if a significant understatement or overstatement of active users were to occur, we might expend resources to implement unnecessary business measures or fail to take required actions to remedy an unfavorable trend. If online advertising customers or investors do not perceive our user or other operating metrics to accurately represent our user base, or if we discover inaccuracies in our user or other operating metrics, our reputation may be harmed.

If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

        Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and other control deficiencies. The material weakness identified is our lack of sufficient competent financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate understanding of U.S. GAAP to design and implement formal period-end financial reporting controls and procedures to address U.S. GAAP technical accounting issues, and to prepare and review the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC. We are in the process of implementing a number of measures to address the identified material weakness and control deficiencies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Internal Control Over Financial Reporting." However, we cannot assure you that these measures may fully address or remediate the material weakness and control deficiencies.

        Upon the completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, will require that we include a report from management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. In addition, once we cease to be an "emerging growth company" as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our

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management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.

        During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other or more material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. Generally speaking, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.

We have limited business insurance coverage which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

        Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products. We do not have any business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations.

        Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and may continue to fluctuate depending upon a number of factors, many of which are out of our control. Our operating results tend to be seasonal. For instance, advertising and marketing activities tend to be less active during the first quarter, which is Chinese New Year holiday season. As compared to the first quarter, our online advertising customers tend to increase advertising and marketing spending near the end of each calendar year when they spend their remaining annual budgets. Moreover, as most of our offline events are hosted in the fourth quarter of each year, we also experience increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of each year for our enterprise value-added services. For these reasons, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly and annual revenues and costs and expenses as a percentage of our revenues in a given period may be significantly different from our historical or projected rates and our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations.

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We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentives, which may have an adverse effect on our future profit.

        Beijing Duoke adopted a share incentive plan in December 2016, or the 2016 Share Incentive Plan, to enhance its ability to attract and retain exceptionally qualified individuals and to encourage them to acquire a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of us. The maximum percentage of aggregate equity interest of Beijing Duoke that it is authorized to issue is 20%, divided into 1,000,000 units, pursuant to the 2016 Share Incentive Plan at the time of adoption. As of the date of this prospectus, 922,913 restricted share units have been granted and outstanding under the 2016 Share Incentive Plan, excluding awards that were forfeited after the relevant grant dates. See "Management—Share Incentive Plan."

        In addition, prior to our incorporation, Xieli Zhucheng granted restricted share units to certain employees in relation to the New Economy-focused businesses which were transferred to us. As a result, the associated share-based compensation expenses of such employees were allocated to the consolidated financial statements of our Group as a contribution by the parent company. In 2017, 2018 and for the three months ended 2018 and 2019, we recorded RMB4.9 million, RMB5.1 million (US$0.8 million), RMB1.4 million and RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million), respectively, in share-based compensation expenses. We believe the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based compensation to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

A severe and prolonged global economic recession and the slowdown in the Chinese economy may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        The global macroeconomic environment is facing challenges, including the end of quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the economic slowdown in the Eurozone since 2014, uncertainties over the impact of Brexit and ongoing trade disputes and tariffs. The growth of the Chinese economy has slowed down since 2012 compared to the previous decade and the trend may continue. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China's gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 6.6% in 2018. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world's leading economies, including the United States and China. There have been concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. There have also been concerns on the relationship between China and other countries, including surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially lead to foreign investors closing down their businesses or withdrawing their investments in China and, thus, exiting the China market, and other economic effects. In addition, there have also been concerns on the relationship between China and the U.S. following rounds of tariffs imposed by the U.S. and retaliatory tariffs imposed by China. It is unclear whether these challenges and uncertainties will be contained or resolved, and what effects they may have on the global political and economic conditions in the long term. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs. Our customers may reduce or delay spending with us, while we may have difficulty expanding our customer base fast enough, or at all, to offset the impact of decreased spending by our existing customers. In addition, to the extent we offer credit to any customer and the customer experiences financial difficulties due to the economic slowdown, we could have difficulty collecting payment from the customer.

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Any catastrophe, including natural catastrophes and outbreaks of health pandemics and other extraordinary events, could disrupt our business operation.

        We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures or Internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide our services.

        Our business could also be adversely affected by the effects of Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees is suspected of having Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS or another contagious disease or condition, since it could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the Chinese economy in general.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

        Foreign investment in the value-added telecommunication services industry in China is extensively regulated and subject to numerous restrictions. The Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2018 Version) provides that foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a commercial Internet content provider or other value-added telecommunication services provider other than an e-commerce services provider, and the Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (2016 Revision) requires that the major foreign investor in a value-added telecommunication services provider in China must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas and maintain a good track record. In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in companies engaged in Internet dissemination, Internet content provision, Internet news information services, online publishing businesses, certain Internet culture businesses, Internet audio-visual programs businesses and production and operation of radio and television programs. See "Regulation—Foreign Investment Law"

        We are a Cayman Islands company and our subsidiary in China is currently considered a foreign-invested enterprise. Accordingly, in practice, our PRC subsidiary is not eligible to provide value-added telecommunication services or conduct other businesses which foreign-owned companies are prohibited or restricted from conducting in China. To ensure strict compliance with the PRC laws and regulations, we conduct such business activities through our VIE, and its subsidiaries. Beijing Dake, our wholly owned subsidiary in China, has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders, which enables us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE; (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE; and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and assets in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC laws and regulations. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure."

        If the PRC government finds that our contractual arrangements do not comply with its restrictions on foreign investment in the value-added telecommunication services and other foreign prohibited services or if the PRC government otherwise finds that we, our VIE, or any of its subsidiaries are in violation of PRC laws or regulations or lack the necessary permits or licenses to operate our business,

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the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations or failures, including:

        Any of these events could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If occurrence of any of these events results in our inability to direct the activities of our VIE that most significantly impact their economic performance and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits of our VIE, we may not be able to consolidate their operating results in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law of the PRC and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

        On March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress adopted the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which will become effective on January 1, 2020 and replace three existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law of the PRC, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC and the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law of the PRC embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For example, the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC adds a catch-all clause to the definition of "foreign investment" so that foreign investment, by its definition, includes "investments made by foreign investors in China through other means defined by other laws or administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council" without further elaboration on the meaning of "other means." It leaves leeway for the future legislations promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. It is therefore uncertain whether our corporate structure will be seen as violating the foreign investment rules as we are currently leveraging the contractual arrangements to operate certain businesses in which foreign investors are prohibited from or restricted to investing. Furthermore, if future legislations prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to take appropriate and timely measures to comply with any of these or similar regulatory compliance requirements, our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations could be materially and adversely affected.

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We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders to operate our business, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control and otherwise materially and adversely affect our business.

        We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE, its shareholders, as well as certain of its subsidiaries to operate our business in China. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure." These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our VIE. For example, our VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. The revenues contributed by our VIE and its subsidiaries constituted substantially all of our revenues in 2017, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

        If we had direct ownership of our VIE, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the contractual arrangements, we expect to rely on the performance by our VIE and its shareholders of their respective obligations under the contracts to exercise control over our VIE. The shareholders of our VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks will exist throughout the period in which we operate our business through the contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation or other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See "—Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business." Therefore, our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders may not be as effective in controlling our business operations as direct ownership.

Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business.

        If our VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we could be limited in our ability to enforce the contractual arrangements that give us effective control over our business operations in the PRC and may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure will be effective under PRC law. For example, if the shareholders of our VIE refuse to transfer their equity interest in our VIE to our PRC subsidiary or its designee after we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they otherwise act in bad faith or otherwise fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if there are any disputes or governmental proceedings involving any interest in such shareholders' equity interests in our VIE, our ability to exercise shareholders' rights or foreclose the share pledges according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these disputes or proceedings were to impair our control over our VIE, we may not be able to maintain effective control over our business operations in the PRC and thus would not be able to continue to consolidate our VIE's financial results, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

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All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures.

        All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a VIE should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIE, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See "—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and the interpretation of laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect us."

Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIE owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.

        Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE were not entered into on an arm's-length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the income of our VIE in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our VIE for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing our PRC subsidiary's tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose additional tax liability on our VIE for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our VIE's tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

        The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause our VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and our VIE, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIE and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with our VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

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We may lose the ability to use, or otherwise benefit from, the licenses, permits and assets held by our VIE.

        As part of our contractual arrangements with our VIE, our VIE holds certain assets, licenses and permits that are material to our business operations, including without limitation permits, licenses, domain names and most of our IP rights. The contractual arrangements contain terms that specifically obligate our VIE's shareholders to ensure the valid existence of our VIE and restrict the disposal of material assets of our VIE. However, in the event that our VIE's shareholders breach the terms of these contractual arrangements and voluntarily liquidate any of our VIE, or our VIE declares bankruptcy and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, or are otherwise disposed of or encumbered without our consent, we may be unable to conduct some or all of our business operations or otherwise benefit from the assets held by our VIE, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, under the contractual arrangements, our VIE may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their material assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If our VIE undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of the assets of our VIE, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business as well as constrain our growth.

RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and the interpretation of laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect us.

        The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

        In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules may not be uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

        In particular, PRC laws and regulations concerning the industries we operate are developing and evolving. Although we have taken measures to comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations and avoid conducting any non-compliant activities under the applicable laws and regulations, the PRC governmental authorities may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating the industries we operate in the future. We cannot assure you that our practice would not be deemed to violate any new PRC laws or regulations relating to the industries we operate. Moreover, developments in the industries we operate may lead to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or

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in the interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies that may limit or restrict us, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operations.

The custodians or authorized users of our controlling non-tangible assets, including chops and seals, may fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets.

        Under the PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions, including agreements and contracts are executed using the chop or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with relevant PRC market regulation administrative authorities.

        In order to secure the use of our chops and seals, we have established internal control procedures and rules for using these chops and seals. In any event that the chops and seals are intended to be used, the responsible personnel will submit the application through our office automation system and the application will be verified and approved by authorized employees in accordance with our internal control procedures and rules. In addition, in order to maintain the physical security of our chops, we generally have them stored in secured locations accessible only to authorized employees. Although we monitor such authorized employees, the procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. There is a risk that our employees could abuse their authority, for example, by entering into a contract not approved by us or seeking to gain control of one of our subsidiaries or our VIE. If any employee obtains, misuses or misappropriates our chops and seals or other controlling non-tangible assets for whatever reason, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve and divert management from our operations.

Changes in China's economic, political and social conditions as well as government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospect.

        Substantially all of our operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospect, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally, and by continued economic growth in China as a whole. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

        While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to a reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate adjustment, to control

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the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

        We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see "Enforceability of Civil Liabilities."

Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business and reputation and subject us to liability for information displayed on our platform.

        The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the revocation of licenses to provide Internet content and other licenses, and the closure of the concerned websites. The website operator may also be held liable for such censored information displayed on or linked to the websites. If our platform is found to be in violation of any such requirements, we may be penalized by relevant authorities, and our operations or reputation could be adversely affected.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

        We are a Cayman Islands holding company and, other than external financing, we rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and for services of any debt we may incur. Our PRC subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of our PRC subsidiaries is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at its discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

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        In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated.

        In response to the persistent capital outflow and the RMB's depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People's Bank of China, or the PBOC, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, the PBOC issued the Circular on Further Clarification of Relevant Matters Relating to Offshore RMB Loans Provided by Domestic Enterprises, or PBOC Circular 306, on November 26, 2016, which provides that offshore RMB loans provided by a domestic enterprise to offshore enterprises with which it has an equity relationship shall not exceed 30% of the domestic enterprise's most recent audited owner's equity. PBOC Circular 306 may constrain our PRC subsidiaries' ability to provide offshore loans to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries' dividends and other distributions may be subjected to tighter scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. See also "—We may be classified as a "PRC resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment."

        Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC and related regulations, dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by a foreign-invested enterprise, such as our PRC subsidiaries, to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors, and proceeds from any such foreign enterprise investor's disposition of assets (after deducting the net value of such assets) are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless the foreign enterprise investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax.

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiary and our VIE, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary.

        In utilizing the proceeds of this offering, we, as an offshore holding company, are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, through loans or capital contributions. However, loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE and capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System, and registration with other governmental authorities in China.

        SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 59, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange

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Businesses, or Circular 45. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that Renminbi capital may not be used for the issuance of Renminbi entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue Renminbi entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our initial public offering and follow-on public offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

        Due to the restrictions imposed on loans in foreign currencies extended to any PRC domestic companies, we are not likely to make such loans to our VIE and its subsidiaries, each a PRC domestic company. Meanwhile, we are not likely to finance the activities of our VIE and its subsidiaries by means of capital contributions given the restrictions on foreign investment in the businesses that are currently conducted by our VIE and its subsidiaries.

        In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE and their subsidiaries when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use foreign currency, including the proceeds we received from our initial public offering, and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

        The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions in China and by China's foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. On November 30, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that with effect from October 1, 2016, Renminbi is determined to be a freely usable currency and will be included in the SDR basket as a fifth currency,

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along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Renminbi has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. Moreover, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more flexible currency policy, including from the U.S. government, which has labeled China as a "currency manipulator," which could result in greater fluctuation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

        Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.

        Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.

Foreign exchange controls may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.

        The PRC government imposes foreign exchange controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company primarily relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval or registration to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and VIE to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders and holders of the ADSs.

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The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

        The Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC requires that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency be notified in advance of any transaction where the parties' turnover in the China market and/or global market exceed certain thresholds and the buyer would obtain control of, or decisive influence over, the target as a result of the business combination. As further clarified by the Provisions of the State Council on the Threshold of Filings for Undertaking Concentrations issued by the State Council in 2008 and amended in September 2018, such thresholds include: (i) the total global turnover of all operators participating in the transaction exceeds RMB10 billion in the preceding fiscal year and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China in the preceding fiscal year, or (ii) the total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the transaction exceeded RMB2 billion in the preceding fiscal year, and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China in the preceding fiscal year. There are numerous factors the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency considers in determining "control" or "decisive influence," and, depending on certain criteria, the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency may conduct anti-monopoly review of transactions in respect of which it was notified. In light of the uncertainties relating to the interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC, we cannot assure you that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency will not deem our past and future acquisitions or investments to have triggered filing requirement for anti-trust review. If we are found to have violated the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC for failing to file the notification of concentration and request for review, we could be subject to a fine of up to RMB500,000, and the parts of the transaction causing the prohibited concentration could be ordered to be unwound, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        In addition, the Circular of the General Office of the State Council on the Establishment of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors that became effective in March 2011, and the Rules on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the Ministry of Commerce that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise "national defense and security" concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise "national security" concerns are subject to strict review by the Ministry of Commerce, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.

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PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

        SAFE promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing with such PRC residents or entities' legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. According to the Circular of Further Simplifying and Improving the Policies of Foreign Exchange Administration Applicable to Direct Investment released in February 2015 by SAFE, local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 2015. See "Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment."

        If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE, the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, or MOC branches, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, our shareholders may be required to suspend or stop the investment and complete the registration within a specified time, and may be warned or prosecuted for criminal liability if a crime is constituted. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

        We have notified all PRC residents or entities who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents or entities to complete the foreign exchange registrations or outbound investment filings. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration or outbound investment filings requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by SAFE, NDRC or MOC regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE, NDRC or MOC regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

        Furthermore, as these foreign exchange and outbound investment regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation has been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign currency denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.

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Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee share incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

        Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. In the meantime, directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC residents residing in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted share-based awards, may follow the Circular of the SAFE on Issues Concerning the Administration of Foreign Exchange Used for Domestic Individuals' Participation in Equity Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Companies, promulgated by SAFE in 2012. Pursuant to the circular, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We, our directors, our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who reside in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted share-based awards will be subject to these regulations when our company becomes an overseas listed company upon the completion of this offering. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines, and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law. See "Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment."

        The State Administration of Taxation has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities. See "Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange and Offshore Investment."

The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

        The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress enacted the Labor Contract Law in 2008, and amended it on December 28, 2012. The Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign an non-fixed-term labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor contract is

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terminated or expires. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law.

        Under the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Measures on Housing Fund, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, and housing funds and employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. If we fail to make adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions, we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions, and our business, financial conditions and results of operations may be adversely affected.

        These laws designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not be at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations.

We may be classified as a "PRC resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

        Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise" and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management body" as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise's financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise's primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

        We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." As a majority of our management members are based in China, it remains unclear how the tax residency rule will apply to our case. If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be subject to PRC enterprise income on our worldwide income at the rate of 25%, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Furthermore, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. In addition,

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non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us), if such income is deemed to be from PRC sources. These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

        On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 7. SAT Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Circular 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Circular 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets.

        On October 17, 2017, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Tax Withholding regarding Non-PRC Resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Circular 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. SAT Circular 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax.

        Where a nonresident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is known as an indirect transfer, the nonresident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such indirect transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a "substance over form" principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

        We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37. For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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The audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

        Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in this prospectus filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with professional standards. Since our auditors are located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB. In May 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC, and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

        On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. However, it remains unclear what further actions, if any, the SEC and PCAOB will take to address the problem.

        Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor' audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

        The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors' audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against certain PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

        In December 2012, the SEC instituted administrative proceedings against the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that these firms had violated U.S. securities laws and the SEC's rules and regulations thereunder by failing to provide to the SEC the firms' audit work papers with respect to certain PRC-based companies that are publicly traded in the United States.

        On January 22, 2014, the administrative law judge, or the ALJ, presiding over the matter rendered an initial decision that each of the firms had violated the SEC's rules of practice by failing to produce audit papers and other documents to the SEC. The initial decision censured each of the firms and barred them from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months.

        On February 6, 2015, the four China-based accounting firms each agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC and audit U.S.-listed companies. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures and to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms' audit documents via the CSRC. Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four China-based accounting firms was deemed

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dismissed with prejudice four years after entry of the settlement. The four-year mark occurred on February 6, 2019. While we cannot predict if the SEC will further challenge the four China-based accounting firms' compliance with U.S. law in connection with U.S. regulatory requests for audit work papers or if the results of such a challenge would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions, if the accounting firms are subject to additional remedial measures, our ability to file our financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could be impacted. A determination that we have not timely filed financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ADSs from [NYSE/NASDAQ] or the termination of the registration of our ADSs under the Exchange Act, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

RISKS RELATED TO THE ADSs AND THIS OFFERING

An active trading market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs may not develop and the trading price for the ADSs may fluctuate significantly.

        We will apply to list the ADSs on the [NYSE/NASDAQ]. We have no current intention to seek a listing for our ordinary shares on any stock exchange. Prior to the completion of this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares, and we cannot assure you that a liquid public market for the ADSs will develop. If an active public market for the ADSs does not develop following the completion of this offering, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. The initial public offering price for the ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters based upon several factors, and we can provide no assurance that the trading price of the ADSs after this offering will not decline below the initial public offering price. As a result, investors in our securities may experience a significant decrease in the value of their ADSs.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

        The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to multiple factors, some of which are beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors, including the following:

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        Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade.

        In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Because the initial public offering price is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

        If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for each ADS than the corresponding amount paid by existing shareholders for their ordinary shares. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of US$            per ADS, assuming that no outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares are exercised. This number represents the difference between the initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, and our pro forma net tangible book value per ADS as of            , 2019, after giving effect to this offering. You may experience further dilution to the extent that our ordinary shares are issued upon exercise of any share options. See "Dilution" for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in our ADSs will be diluted upon completion of this offering.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

        The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

        Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. [In connection with this offering, we, our directors, executive officers and existing shareholders holding substantially all of our issued ordinary shares have agreed not to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions.] However, the underwriters may release these shares from these restrictions at any time, subject to applicable regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Any sale or perceived sale of the shares into the market may cause the price of ADSs to decline. See "Underwriting" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.

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Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ADSs.

        Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller's interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions and allegations regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of the ADSs.

        The ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems it expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

Because we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on a price appreciation of the ADSs for a return on your investment.

        We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

        Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.

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The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.

        The M&A Rules purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. In September 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by a special purpose vehicle seeking CSRC approval of its overseas listings. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and this offering may ultimately require approval from the CSRC. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval, and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

        Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel, has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval of the listing and trading of the ADSs on the [NYSE/NASDAQ] because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours under this prospectus are subject to this regulation; (ii) we established the PRC subsidiaries that are wholly owned foreign enterprises by means of direct investment and not through a merger or acquisition of the equity or assets of a "PRC domestic company" as such term is defined under the M&A Rules; and (iii) no explicit provision in the M&A Rules classifies the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the M&A Rules.

        However, our PRC legal counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules or any other PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Notice of the State Council on Further Strengthening the Administration of Share Issues and Listing Overseas, will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering our PRC legal opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel, and hence we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered hereby. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs.

Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs.

        We [have adopted] an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our post-offering amended and

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restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs representing our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

        We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

        Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

        As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see "Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law."

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ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

        The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial for any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

        If we or the depositary were to oppose a jury trial based on this waiver, the court would have to determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of the case in accordance with applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, or by a federal or state court in the City of New York, which has non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this would be the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

        If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have, including outcomes that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

        Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or the ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs.

        Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of the ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which attach to the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as holder of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. If we ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to enable you to withdraw the shares underlying the ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the

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record date for the general meeting to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, upon our instruction, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you. Under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately upon completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is      days. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting material in time to ensure you can direct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the shares underlying the ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying the ADSs are not voted as you requested.

You may experience dilution of your holdings due to the inability to participate in rights offerings.

        We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the [NYSE/NASDAQ] corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the [NYSE/NASDAQ] corporate governance listing standards.

        As a Cayman Islands company listed on the [NYSE/NASDAQ], we are subject to [NYSE/NASDAQ] corporate governance listing standards. However, [NYSE/NASDAQ] rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the [NYSE/NASDAQ] corporate governance listing standards. [We intend to follow Cayman Islands corporate governance practices in lieu of the corporate governance requirements of the [NYSE/NASDAQ] that listed companies must have: (i) a majority of independent directors; (ii) the establishment of a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors; (iii) a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, and (iv) an audit committee composed of at least three members.] As a result of our reliance on the "foreign private issuer" exemptions, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under [NYSE/NASDAQ] corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

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We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

        Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

        We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the [NYSE/NASDAQ]. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an "emerging growth company."

        Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the [NYSE/NASDAQ], impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also permits an emerging growth company to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. After we are no longer an "emerging growth company," we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC.

        We expect the rules and regulations applicable to us after we becoming a public company to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public

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company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

        In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average value of its assets (generally determined on a quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill is an active asset to the extent attributable to activities that produce active income.

        Based on the expected composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets, including goodwill, which is based on the expected price of our ADSs in this offering, we do not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. However, it is not entirely clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our VIE will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules, and we may be or become a PFIC if our VIE is not treated as owned by us. Because the treatment of our contractual arrangements with our VIE is not entirely clear, because we will hold a substantial amount of cash following this offering and because our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of our ADSs, which could be volatile), there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current or any future taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor held ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. investor. See "Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules."

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

        You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "likely to" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

        You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

        You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

        This prospectus also contains statistical data and estimates that we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by third-party providers of market intelligence. These industry publications and reports generally indicate that the information contained therein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified the data.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$             million, or approximately US$             million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS, which is the mid-point of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. [We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the ADSs being sold by the selling shareholders.]

        We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

        In utilizing the net proceeds from this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and to our consolidated VIE only through loans, and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet these requirements on a timely basis, or at all. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiary and our VIE, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary."

        Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to hold our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, financial instruments or demand deposits.

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DIVIDEND POLICY

        We have not previously declared or paid cash dividends and we have no plan to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on our shares or the ADSs representing our ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

        We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely principally on dividends from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See "Regulation—Regulations on Dividend Distribution."

        Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See "Description of American Depositary Shares."

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2019:

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        You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 
  As of March 31, 2019  
 
  Actual   Pro forma   Pro forma
as adjusted(1)
 
 
  RMB   US$   RMB   US$   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Mezzanine equity:

                                     

Series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 62,273,127 and 52,245,672 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    571     85                      

Series A-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 81,008,717 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    13,500     2,012                      

Series B-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 200,241,529 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    465,635     69,382                      

Series B-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 11,674,379 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    45,000     6,705                      

Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 19,361,727 and 29,389,182 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    80,315     11,967                      

Series B-4 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 9,338,761 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    36,000     5,364                      

Series C-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 164,876,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively ; and none (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    283,852     42,295                      

Redeemable non-controlling interests

    7,893     1,176     7,893     1,176              

Shareholders' (deficit)/equity:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 4,326,574,000 shares authorized, 233,800,850 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively; and 782,575,090 (unaudited) outstanding on a pro-forma basis as of March 31, 2019)

    184     27     565     84              

Additional paid-in capital

            924,492     137,753              

Accumulated deficit

    (614,656 )   (91,587 )   (614,656 )   (91,587 )            

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    201     30     201     30              

Total shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    (614,271 )   (91,530 )   310,602     46,280              

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' (deficit)/equity

    408,450     60,860     408,450     60,860              

Notes:

(1)
The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our additional paid-in capital, total shareholders' equity and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

(2)
Assuming the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same, and after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, a US$1.00 change in the assumed initial public offering price of US$            per ADS being the mid-point of the estimated range of the initial offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus would, in the case of an increase, increase and, in the case of a decrease, decrease each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders' (deficit)/equity and total capitalization by US$             million.

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DILUTION

        If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.

        Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 was US$             million, US$            per ordinary share and US$            per ADS. Net tangible book value per ordinary share represents the amount of total tangible assets, minus the amount of total liabilities, divided by the total number of ordinary shares outstanding. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share from the public offering price per ordinary share.

        Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after June 30, 2019, other than to give effect to (i) the conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares into                ordinary shares, which will occur automatically immediately prior to the completion of this offering and (ii) our issuance and sale of ADSs offered in this offering at an initial public offering price of US$            per ADS being the mid-point of the estimated range of the initial offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus, after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 would have been US$             million, or US$            per ordinary share and US$            per ADS, to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$            per ordinary share, or US$            per ADS, to purchasers of ADSs in this offering.

        The following table illustrates the dilution on a per ordinary share basis assuming that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is US$            and all ADSs are exchanged for ordinary shares:

 
  Per
Ordinary
Share
  Per ADS  

Initial public offering price per ordinary share

  US$     US$    

Net tangible book value per ordinary share

  US$     US$    

Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares, as of June 30, 2019

  US$     US$    

Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share as adjusted to give effect to the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding preferred shares and this offering as of June 30, 2019

  US$     US$    

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in the offering

  US$     US$    

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ADS to new investors in the offering

  US$     US$    

        The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

        The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of June 30, 2019, the differences between the existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share paid at the initial public offering price of US$            per ADS before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The total number

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of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.

 
   
   
  Total Consideration    
   
 
 
  Ordinary shares
Purchased
  Amount
(in thousands
of US$)
   
  Average Price
Per Ordinary
Share
  Average Price
Per ADS
 
 
  Number   Percent   US$   Percent   US$   US$  

Existing shareholders

                                     

New investors

                                     

Total

                                     

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EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

        Our reporting currency is the Renminbi because our business is mainly conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. This prospectus contains translations of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars in this prospectus is based on the rate certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at RMB6.7112 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 29, 2019. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On August 9, 2019, the rate was RMB7.0613 to US$1.00.

        The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.

 
  Noon Buying Rate  
Period
  Period End   Average(1)   Low   High  
 
  (RMB per US$1.00)
 

2014

    6.2046     6.1704     6.2591     6.0402  

2015

    6.4778     6.2869     6.4896     6.1870  

2016

    6.9430     6.6549     6.9580     6.4480  

2017

    6.5063     6.7350     6.9575     6.4773  

2018

    6.8755     6.6292     6.9737     6.2649  

2019 (through August 9)

                         

January

    6.6958     6.7863     6.8708     6.6958  

February

    6.6912     6.7367     6.7907     6.6822  

March

    6.7112     6.7119     6.7381     6.6916  

April

    6.7347     6.7161     6.7418     6.6870  

May

    6.9027     6.8519     6.9182     6.7319  

June

    6.8650     6.8977     6.9298     6.8510  

July (through July 26)

    6.8833     6.8775     6.8927     6.8487  

August (through August 9)

    7.0613     7.0010     7.0613     6.8972  

Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release

Notes:

(1)
Annual averages were calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant year. Monthly averages are calculated by using the average of the daily rates during the relevant month.

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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

        We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands in order to enjoy the following benefits:

        However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:

        Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.

        All of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

        We have appointed                as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.

        Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Jingtian & Gongcheng, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:

        Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has informed us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, and (e) was not

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obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. Because such a determination has not yet been made by a court of the Cayman Islands, it is uncertain whether such civil liability judgments from U.S. courts would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands.

        We have been advised by Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts or Cayman courts obtained against us or these persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal and state securities laws, or entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or these persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. Jingtian & Gongcheng has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against us in the PRC, if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. However, it would be difficult for foreign shareholders to establish sufficient nexus to the PRC by virtue only of holding our ADSs or ordinary shares.

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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

Corporate History

        Our 36Kr.com website was launched in December 2010, offering New Economy-focused content. In July 2011, Xieli Zhucheng was incorporated in the PRC. In December 2016, Xieli Zhucheng incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Beijing Sanshiliuke Culture Media Co., Ltd., or Beijing Sanshiliuke, to host all its businesses of New Economy-focused content and business services. In May 2017, Beijing Sanshiliuke changed its name to Beijing Pinxin Media Culture Co., Ltd., which later changed its name to Beijing Duoke Information Technology Co., Ltd. in March 2019.

Reorganization

        We incorporated 36Kr Holdings Inc. in the Cayman Islands on December 3, 2018. On December 4, 2018, the BVI Subsidiary was incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary. On December 20, 2018, the HK Subsidiary was incorporated as the BVI Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On February 25, 2019, 36Kr Global Holding was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. On May 21, 2019, Tianjin Duoke was incorporated as the HK Subsidiary's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC. On June 25, 2019, Beijing Dake was incorporated as Tianjin Duoke's wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC.

        36Kr Holdings Inc. issued one ordinary share in December 2018 and issued one ordinary share in April 2019.

        In August 2019, 36Kr Holdings Inc. issued 176,842,998 ordinary shares, 65,307,000 series A-1 preferred shares, 101,261,000 series A-2 preferred shares, 250,302,000 series B-1 preferred shares, 14,593,000 series B-2 preferred shares, 56,105,000 series B-3 preferred shares, 20,982,000 series B-4 preferred shares, 164,876,000 series C-1 preferred shares, and 12,545,000 series C-2 preferred shares. Immediately after the completion of this offering and assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, we expect an aggregate of            % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by our existing shareholders, and an aggregate of            % of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares will be held by new investors in this offering.

        In August 2019, to obtain control over Beijing Duoke, which we refer to as our VIE, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Beijing Dake with our VIE and its shareholders. Our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders have enabled us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits and bear the obligation to absorb substantially all of the losses of our VIE, and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC laws. For more details, including risks associated with the VIE structure, please see "—Contractual Arrangements with Beijing Duoke," and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure."

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Corporate Structure

        The chart below summarizes our corporate legal structure and identifies our principal subsidiaries and our VIE as of the date of this prospectus.

GRAPHIC


(1)
As of the date of this prospectus, the shareholders of Beijing Duoke consist of:

i.
Xieli Zhucheng, holding 66.1% of equity interest;

ii.
Tianjin Zhanggongzi Technology Partnership (L.P.), holding 16.5% of equity interest;

iii.
Shenzhen Guohong No. 2 Enterprise Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 6.2% of equity interest;

iv.
Ningbo Meishan Baoshui Gangqu Tianhong Lvheng Investment Management Partnership (L.P.), holding 3.9% of equity interest;

v.
Gongqingcheng Fenzhong Chuangxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd., holding 2.1% of equity interest;

vi.
Suzhou Industrial Park Gebi Yinghe Venture Capital Partnership (L.P.), holding 1.9% of equity interest;

vii.
Beijing Wentou Huyu Investment Co., Ltd., holding 1.0% of equity interest;

viii.
Beijing Gebi Lvzhou Angel Investment Center (L.P.), holding 0.3% of equity interest; and

ix.
Wuhan Feixiang Automobile Electronics Industry Investment Partnership (L.P.), holding 2.1% of equity interest.

Contractual Arrangements with Beijing Duoke

        Due to the PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership of Internet-based businesses, currently we conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our variable interest entity and its subsidiaries. We have entered into a series of contractual arrangements, including an exclusive purchase option agreement, powers of attorney, an equity pledge agreement and an exclusive business cooperation agreement, with our VIE and its shareholders.

        These contractual arrangements have enabled us to exercise effective control over our VIE, receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE, and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIE, and we accordingly treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP.

        The following is a summary of the contractual arrangements entered into by and among Beijing Dake, our VIE and its shareholders in August 2019.

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Agreements that provide us with effective control over Beijing Duoke

Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably granted Beijing Dake or its designated representatives an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of his, her or its equity interests in Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake or its designated representatives have sole discretion as to when to exercise such options, either in part or in full, once or at multiple times at any time. Without Beijing Dake's prior written consent, the shareholders of Beijing Duoke shall not sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke, or allow the encumbrance thereon. The agreement will remain effective until all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

Powers of Attorney

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into powers of attorney, pursuant to which each of the shareholders of Beijing Duoke irrevocably appointed Beijing Dake (as well as its successors, including a liquidator, if any, replacing Beijing Dake) or its designated persons to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all equity interests held by each of them in Beijing Duoke, including without limitation (i) exercise all the shareholder's rights (including but not limited to voting rights and right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held in part or in whole), (ii) to attend shareholders' meetings and to execute any and all written resolutions and meeting minutes in the name and on behalf of such shareholders, and (iii) to file documents with the relevant companies registry. The agreement will remain effective until Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing or all equity interests in Beijing Duoke held by its shareholders are transferred or assigned to Beijing Dake or its designated representatives.

Equity Pledge Agreement

        Beijing Dake, Beijing Duoke and the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have entered into an equity pledge agreement, pursuant to which the shareholders of Beijing Duoke have pledged all of their equity interests in Beijing Duoke that they own, including any interest or dividend paid for the shares, to Beijing Dake as a security interest to guarantee the performance by Beijing Duoke and its shareholders' performance of their respective obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement and power of attorney. Upon the or discovery of the occurrence of any circumstances or event that may lead to an event of default (as defined in the equity pledge agreement), Beijing Dake, as the pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests. Beijing Dake is not be liable for any loss incurred by its due exercise of such rights and powers. This pledge will become effective on the date the pledged equity interests are registered with the relevant office of industry and commerce and will remain effective until the pledgors are no longer the shareholders of Beijing Duoke.

Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from our VIE

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

        Beijing Dake and Beijing Duoke have entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement, pursuant to which Beijing Dake has the exclusive right to provide to Beijing Duoke technical support, consulting services and other services related to Beijing Duoke's business, including business management, daily operations, strategic planning, among others. Beijing Dake has granted Beijing Duoke the right to register its intellectual property rights under Beijing Duoke. Beijing Dake has the

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right to purchase such intellectual property rights from Beijing Duoke at nominal prices. The scope of the services provided by Beijing Dake may be expanded from time to time per Beijing Duoke's request. The timing and amount of the service fee payments shall be determined at the sole discretion of Beijing Dake. The term of this agreement is indefinite unless Beijing Dake unilaterally terminates the agreement in writing.

        In the opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel:

        However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from the above opinion of our PRC legal counsel. If the PRC government finds the agreements that establish the structure do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in certain of our businesses, we may be subject to severe penalties including being prohibited from continuing operations. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations." and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and the interpretation of laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect us."

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019 and summary consolidated cash flows data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(loss) Data:

                                     

Revenues:

                                     

Online advertising services

    73,958     173,783     25,894     17,057     34,778     5,182  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     100,238     14,936     6,339     41,397     6,168  

Subscription services

    4,084     25,072     3,736     2,532     7,627     1,136  

Total revenues

    120,507     299,093     44,566     25,928     83,802     12,486  

Cost of revenues

    (60,749 )   (140,317 )   (20,908 )   (19,788 )   (59,393 )   (8,850 )

Gross profit

    59,758     158,776     23,658     6,140     24,409     3,636  

Operating expenses:

                                     

Sales and marketing expenses

    (32,275 )   (66,984 )   (9,981 )   (10,695 )   (24,093 )   (3,590 )

General and administrative expenses

    (10,040 )   (24,125 )   (3,595 )   (3,769 )   (7,955 )   (1,185 )

Research and development expenses

    (6,429 )   (22,075 )   (3,289 )   (2,740 )   (9,708 )   (1,447 )

Total operating expenses

    (48,744 )   (113,184 )   (16,865 )   (17,204 )   (41,756 )   (6,222 )

Income/(loss) from operations

    11,014     45,592     6,793     (11,064 )   (17,347 )   (2,586 )

Other income/(expenses):

                                     

Share of loss from equity method investments

    (549 )   (2,794 )   (416 )   (1,012 )        

Short-term investment income

    371     9,300     1,386     2,368     1,507     224  

Interest income

    12     22     3     10     6     1  

Interest expenses

    (185 )   (97 )   (14 )   (2 )   (9 )   (1 )

Others, net

    1,169     3,322     495     50     (82 )   (12 )

Income/(loss) before income tax

    11,832     55,345     8,247     (9,650 )   (15,925 )   (2,374 )

Income tax (expense)/credit

    (3,909 )   (14,827 )   (2,210 )   2,531     2,321     346  

Net income/(loss)

    7,923     40,518     6,037     (7,119 )   (13,604 )   (2,028 )

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value

        (1,025 )   (153 )       (162 )   (24 )

Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value

    (2,834 )   (120,060 )   (17,889 )   (5,764 )   (89,485 )   (13,334 )

Re-designation of Series A-1 into Series B-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares

                    (26,787 )   (3,991 )

Net income/(loss) attributable to 36Kr Holdings Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

    5,089     (80,567 )   (12,005 )   (12,883 )   (130,038 )   (19,377 )

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        The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019.

 
  As of December 31,   As of March 31,  
 
  2017   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     48,968     7,296     10,847     1,616  

Short-term investments

    102,334     145,451     21,673     137,136     20,434  

Accounts receivable, net

    62,801     182,269     27,159     211,364     31,494  

Total current assets

    218,143     399,392     59,511     390,325     58,160  

Total non-current assets

    3,537     16,033     2,389     18,125     2,700  

Total assets

    221,680     415,425     61,900     408,450     60,860  

Total current liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,621     89,955     13,404  

Total liabilities

    44,824     84,705     12,621     89,955     13,404  

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit

    221,680     415,425     61,900     408,450     60,860  

        The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

                                     

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,444 )   (45,598 )   (6,794 )   (18,802 )   (46,587 )   (6,942 )

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (105,892 )   (56,294 )   (8,388 )   (120,119 )   8,568     1,277  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    162,979     104,716     15,603     99,021          

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies

        501     74         (102 )   (15 )

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    45,643     3,325     495     (39,900 )   (38,121 )   (5,680 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period/year

        45,643     6,801     45,643     48,968     7,296  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period/year

    45,643     48,968     7,296     5,743     10,847     1,616  

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

        We are a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China. We started our business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, we have expanded our offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services. According to the CIC Survey, we are one of the most recognized platforms among New Economy participants in China. With our significant brand influence, we are well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China's New Economy.

        High-quality New Economy-focused content is the foundation of our business. We provide insightful reports on companies, timely market updates and thought-provoking editorials and commentaries. We especially take pride in our ability to discover startup companies with great potentials and introduce them to the investment community. We were the first to report on a number of startup companies that later became industry leaders. For example, in January 2013, we were the first to report on ByteDance, which later became a world-leading technology company. Meanwhile, our content covers a variety of industries in China's New Economy, such as technology, consumer and retail, and healthcare.

        We offer business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to our customers. We address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrade needs of traditional companies by providing them with tailored advertising and marketing solutions and other enterprise value-added services. We also help institutional investors identify promising targets, source investment opportunities and connect them with startup companies directly. Additionally, we have cultivated a large number of subscribers who purchase our premium content and other benefits. Through our diverse service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities.

        With high-quality content and diverse business service offerings, we have fostered an affluent and sophisticated user base and as such, attracted a valuable customer base. As of December 31, 2018, we provided business services to 23 of the Global Fortune 100 Companies. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, we also provided business services to 59 of the Top 100 New Economy companies as measured by market capitalization and valuation, according to the CIC Report. While we started our institutional investors subscription services in the first quarter of 2017, we already covered 46 of the Top 200 institutional investors in China as of December 31, 2018 as measured by assets under management, according to the CIC Report.

        We have achieved significant revenue growth and profitability. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from RMB120.5 million in 2017 to RMB299.1 million (US$44.6 million) in 2018. Our revenue increased by 223.2% from RMB25.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB83.8 million (US$12.5 million) for the same period in 2019. Our net income increased by 411.4% from RMB7.9 million in 2017 to RMB40.5 million (US$6.0 million) in 2018 and our net profit margin increased from 6.6% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2018. We had net loss of RMB7.1 million and RMB13.6 million (US$2.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

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Key Operating Data

        The following table presents our monthly average PV for the twelve-month periods ended the dates indicated:

 
  For the twelve-month period ended  
 
  March 31, 2018   June 30, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2018   March 31, 2019  
 
  (in millions)
 

Average monthly PV

    120.9     127.0     145.6     196.2     225.4  

        The following table presents our key operating data of our business services:

 
  For the Year
Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2017   2018  

Online advertising services

             

Number of online advertising services customers

    187     320  

Average revenue per online advertising services customer(1) (RMB'000)

    395.5     543.1  

Enterprise value-added services

   
 
   
 
 

Number of enterprise value-added services customers

    140     263  

Average revenue per enterprise value-added services customer(2) (RMB'000)

    303.3     381.1  

Subscription services

   
 
   
 
 

Number of individual subscribers

    15,880     52,551  

Average revenue per individual subscriber(3) (RMB)

    112     204  

Number of institutional investor subscribers

   
14
   
121
 

Average revenue per institutional investor subscriber(4) (RMB'000)

    164.2     118.7  

Notes:

(1)
Equals revenues generated from online advertising services for a period divided by the number of online advertising services customers in the same period.

(2)
Equals revenues generated from enterprise value-added services for a period divided by the number of enterprise value-added services customers in the same period.

(3)
Equals revenues generated from individual subscription services for a period divided by the number of individual subscribers in the same period.

(4)
Equals revenues generated from institutional investor subscription services for a period divided by the number of institutional investor subscribers in the same period.

Major Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

        The following factors are the principal factors that have affected and will continue to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

        Our business and results of operations are significantly affected by China's overall economic conditions and structural transformation, especially the development of China's New Economy. The development of New Economy in China is affected by factors such as technological advancements, New Economy participant base, entrepreneurial environment, capital investment, regulatory environment and talent pool. According to the CIC Report, the GDP of China's New Economy increased from approximately US$0.6 trillion in 2014 to approximately US$2.0 trillion in 2018, representing a robust CAGR of 34.8%, and the GDP of China's New Economy as a percentage of the GDP of China's

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overall economy increased from 6.4% in 2014 to 16.1% in 2018. A strong growth of China's New Economy has resulted in, and likely will continue to result in increasing demands for New Economy-focused content and business services. Our content and business services have captured, and are likely to continue to capture, the various market opportunities brought by China's New Economy development.

        Nevertheless, unfavorable changes in China's overall economy, New Economy and New Economy-focused business services market, especially unfavorable regulations and policies towards New Economy, could negatively affect demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our results of operations. The emerging New Economy in China is still in its early stage of development and there are considerable uncertainties about its future growth. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to risks associated with operating in the rapidly evolving New Economy sector."

        We have fostered a vibrant and self-reinforcing community of New Economy participants. Our high-quality content offerings generate organic traffic and attract New Economy participants to our platform and become our users and customers, which greatly enhances our ability to generate revenues. Leveraging our established and growing community of New Economy participants, we are able to gain deeper insights into China's New Economy and generate more high-quality content. At the same time, we plan to offer more effective and tailored business solutions to our customers, which in turn enhances our value propositions to them and improves their engagement. Moreover, leveraging our significant brand appeal among New Economy participants, we are well-positioned to better retain and attract more participants onto our platform.

        Our ability to manage and control our costs and expenses is critical to the success of our business. Leveraging our prominent brand, our traffic and customer acquisition cost has been low. We have also adopted various measures, such as automated screening system, to enhance operating efficiency and reduce costs and expenses. We expect our costs and expenses to increase in absolute amount as we grow our business while decreasing as a percentage of our total revenues due to enhanced brand value and increased operational efficiency.

        Our financial condition and results of operations depend substantially on our monetization capabilities, including our ability to convert more users to subscribers, attract more customers, cross-sell and increase customer spending. Leveraging our high-quality content and comprehensive business service offerings, we have captured extensive monetization opportunities. Our revenue increased by 148.2% from 2017 to 2018 and increased by 223.2% from the first quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2019, primarily driven by the growth of our business.

        We endeavor to constantly reinforce our monetization capabilities by providing broader and better content and services, which improves our user and customer experience, attracts more traffic and enhances stickiness. Our robust customer and user base, in turn, leads to increased revenue and profit which enables us to further devote more resources to content and service offerings. We intend to meet our customers' needs throughout their lifecycle and seek additional cross-selling opportunities to achieve synergies among our services.

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        We experience seasonality in our business, primarily our online advertising services. Advertising and marketing activities tend to be less active during the first quarter, which is Chinese New Year holiday season. During this period, companies generally limit their advertising and marketing spending. As a result, we generally experience fewer activities on our platform and demands for our services during the first quarter. As compared to the first quarter, our online advertising customers tend to increase advertising and marketing spending near the end of each calendar year. We believe an increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of each year is a typical pattern in the online advertising market. Moreover, as most of our offline events are hosted in the fourth quarter of each year, we also experience an increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of each year for our enterprise value-added services. In line with increased revenues during the fourth quarter, we record higher balances of account receivables at year-end. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations."

Key Components of Results of Operations

        We derive our revenues from: (i) online advertising services; (ii) enterprise value-added services; and (iii) subscription services. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our revenues for the periods indicated:

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
 
  2017   2018   2018   2019  
 
  RMB   %   RMB   US$   %   RMB   %   RMB   US$   %  
 
  (in thousands, except percentages)
 

Online advertising services

    73,958     61.4     173,783     25,894     58.1     17,057     65.8     34,778     5,182     41.5  

Enterprise value-added services

    42,465     35.2     100,238     14,936     33.5     6,339     24.4     41,397     6,168     49.4  

Subscription services

    4,084     3.4     25,072     3,736     8.4     2,532     9.8     7,627     1,136     9.1