Rumor: Alibaba to Acquire Android Mobile App Store 'Wandoujia'
Tencent Tech, 7/02/16
Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA) is reportedly in talks to buy Beijing-based Zhuoyi Xunchang Technology, operator of Android mobile app store Wandoujia, for USD 200 mln, according to a person familiar with the matter. Alibaba is already auditing Wandoujia in preparation for the buyout, and news of the acquisition should be released early this month, said the source.
Alibaba has declined to comment on the matter.
Zhuoyi Xunchang, established in September 2010, received a USD 120 mln round of funding led by Japanese telecom and media corporation SoftBank in January 2014. In July last year, there were rumors that the company was going to be acquired by Shenqi Gongchang Technology, the smart hardware and handset retail subsidiary belonging to consumer electronics maker Lenovo (0992.HK).
Editor's Note: For more information on this topic, please see "Wandoujia Secures USD 120 Mln Funding from Softbank," MD 1/13/14 and "Rumor: Lenovo App Store Acquires Wandoujia," MD 7/10/15 issues.
Keywords: wireless app store Alibaba Group Wandoujia BABA Zhuoyi Xunchang mobile application M&A