China-based social media and e-commerce company Xiachufang has secured $30m in a series B round featuring e-commerce company JD.com, Tech in Asia reported earlier today.
Venture capital firm China Growth Capital led the round, which also included participation by VC firm Ceyuan Ventures and Zhixin Capital.
Founded in 2011, Xiachufang operates an app through which users can share recipes with each other. They can then use an online store accessible through the same app to purchase the kitchen utensils and food supplies needed to cook the recipes.
JD’s investment signals the beginning of a collaboration between the two companies, in which the e-commerce company will assist Xiachufang with selected products and logistics.
Ceyuan and Zhixin previously invested an undisclosed amount in the company’s 2012 series A round.
Wang Xusheng, founder of Xiachufang, said: “At first, Xiachufang hoped to help those eating at home eat better, and from the recipe-sharing platform we have gradually expanded into e-commerce.
“After completing this round, we are going to work harder to mix together content and products, and meet the needs of even more users when it comes to food and everyday home-life products.”