Electronics and appliances manufacturer Haier Group has agreed an investment of approximately $10m in China-based wine retail and information platform 9KaCha, China Money Network has reported.
Founded in 2012, 9KaCha has built a platform that enables users to upload photographs of imported wine labels and search for them within a database. They can then access information on the wine, share the data and buy a bottle.
The company secured RMB3m ($450,000 at current exchange rates) from venture capital fund Eagles Fund in 2013 before outdooor advertising group Balintimes Media and undisclosed additional investors added $1.6m in series A funding in September 2015.
Shao Zhaoyang, co-founder of 9KaCha said in a press conference: “9KaCha will assist Haier’s smart wine cabinet in identifying nearly one hundred million data, accurately acquiring users’ requirements and creating the best user experience.”