Zhihu Technology, the China-based owner of an online query platform, has raised $300m in funding from investors including internet group Tencent and private equity firm Capital Today, 36Kr reported yesterday.
The series E round reportedly valued the company at about $2.5bn and increased its overall funding to approximately $487m.
Founded in 2011, Zhihu runs an online platform where users can post questions to which other members of the community can supply answers. It initially operated with an invitation-only registration system before opening up membership in 2013.
The company claims 26 million daily active users out of a base of 160 million registered users, according to Technode. It generates most of its revenue through advertising, though other revenue streams include paid Q&A sessions, online talks, consulting and e-books.
Zhihu’s earlier investors included private equity firm SAIF Partners, venture capital firm Qiming Venture Partners and private investor Kai-Fu Lee, before Tencent led its $55m series C round in 2015 at a reported $300m valuation.
Tencent and Capital Today both participated in Zhihu’s last round, a $100m series D in January 2017 that also featured internet company Sogou, Qiming Venture Partners and investment firm Sinovation Ventures.