China-based internet company Alibaba Group is reportedly considering an investment in US-based advertising technology firm AppNexus, according to news provider The Information.
The deal would form part of a strategy to acquire stakes in international online companies so that Alibaba would be in a prime position to evaluate new technologies and potentially acquire any portfolio companies that subsequently perform well, an unnamed US-based internet executive who had been briefed on Alibaba’s plans told The Information.
AppNexus has raised more than $140m from investors including computing company Microsoft and venture capital firms Technology Crossover Ventures, Venrock, Tribeca Venture Partners, First Round Capital and Kodiak Venture Partners.