Guiji Zhineng, a China-based automation technology developer backed by internet group Tencent, completed a nine-figure renminbi (RMB100m = $14m) series B-plus round led by CMB Telecom, part of China Merchants Bank, yesterday.
Founded in 2017, Guiji Zhineng provides technologies that enable enterprise customers to automate tasks using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as natural language processing and voice recognition.
The company originally focused on robotic call centre systems but has diversified to offer four main products which include an AI-aided system for marketing campaigns.
The series B-plus capital will help Guiji Zhineng advance research and development and introduce a range of AI-equipped smart city technology.
Tencent supplied a nine-figure renminbi (RMB100m = $14.9m) amount for Guiji Zhineng in an April 2019 series B round that followed an undisclosed amount of series A-plus funding from Sequoia Capital in July 2018.
Sequoia Capital had joined Komsomolsk Qihoo Choi Investment for a series A round of undisclosed size the month before, according to media reports, after financial services firm China Merchants Bank unit had invested an undisclosed sum in May 2018.
Guiji Zhineng had previously raised an eight-digit renminbi sum from Ningbo Lanshi Equity Investment Partnership and Gongqingcheng Zhongcai Qihu Gold Control Phase II Internet Industry Investment Center in March 2018.
Komsomolsk Qihoo Choi and Qionglai provided an undisclosed amount in a December 2017 pre-series A round, after an angel round backed by investors including Hejun Capital in March 2017, according to 36Kr.