Kuaishou Technology
About Kuaishou Technology
Kuaishou Technology is a Digital Media startup based in Beijing, China that has raised $4.8B in venture capital across 7 funding rounds since 2011. The company reached IPO stage in 2014 with a $10M round led by Sequoia Capital China. Kuaishou Technology's investor base includes 8 institutional funds, with Tencent leading the most recent equity round.
Kuaishou Technology is a Chinese social media company founded in March 2011 by Su Hua and Cheng Yixiao in Beijing. Originally launched as GIF Kuaishou, a mobile tool for creating and sharing animated GIFs, the platform pivoted to short-video in November 2012 and became one of China's largest social video communities. The company operates two primary platforms: Kuaishou (快手), targeting users in lower-tier Chinese cities and rural areas, and the international version Kwai, which serves markets across Brazil, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Kuaishou's differentiation from rival Douyin (TikTok) lies in its decentralized content distribution algorithm, which prioritizes creator retention and community depth over viral reach — a model that has cultivated a highly engaged rural and semi-urban user base with strong e-commerce behavior. The platform processes over 14 billion video views daily and hosts more than 2 million e-commerce merchants via Kuaishou Shop, generating gross merchandise value exceeding $200 billion annually as of 2024. The company attracted Tencent as a strategic anchor investor through consecutive growth rounds, with Tencent participating in the $350 million Series D (2017), $1 billion Series E (2018), and leading a $3 billion Series F (2019) at a $28.6 billion valuation. Sequoia Capital China, Boyu Capital, Temasek, and Yunfeng Capital joined the Series F. Kuaishou listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in February 2021 in one of the world's largest internet IPOs at that time, raising $5.4 billion. In 2026, the company announced plans to spin off its generative AI video product Kling into an independent entity targeting a $20 billion valuation.
Kuaishou Technology Funding Rounds Timeline
7 rounds · $4.8B raised · since 2011
| Round | Date | Amount | Valuation | Lead investor | Co-investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series B | 2014 | $10M | — | Sequoia Capital China | DCM Ventures |
| Series C | 2016 | Undisclosed | — | — | Baidu, China Media Capital |
| Series D | 2017 | $350M | — | Tencent | — |
| Series E | 2018 | $1B | — | Tencent | Sequoia Capital China |
| Series F | 2019 | $3B | $28.6B | Tencent | Sequoia Capital China, Boyu Capital, Temasek, Yunfeng Capital |
Investors in Kuaishou Technology
8 institutional investors across 7 rounds
Lead investors
Co-investors
Recent news about Kuaishou Technology
- Company NewsKuaishou Technology may spin off Kling AI in bid to capture AI market frenzyMay 2026
Questions about Kuaishou Technology
How much has Kuaishou Technology raised?
Kuaishou Technology has raised $4.8B across 7 funding rounds since 2011.
Who are the investors of Kuaishou Technology?
Kuaishou Technology's investors include Tencent, Sequoia Capital China, DCM Ventures, Boyu Capital, Temasek, Yunfeng Capital, Baidu, China Media Capital.
When was Kuaishou Technology's last funding round?
Kuaishou Technology's most recent round was a $10M Series B in 2014, led by Sequoia Capital China.
What is Kuaishou Technology's valuation?
Kuaishou Technology reached a $28.6B valuation (unicorn status) with its Series B round in 2014.
Where is Kuaishou Technology headquartered?
Kuaishou Technology is headquartered in Beijing, China, and was founded in 2011 by Su Hua, Cheng Yixiao.