Artificial Intelligence: Chinese AI Behemoth SenseTime May Dual-List

August 17, 2020 | Artificial Intelligence, News
https://dailyalts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sensetime-SuperCompCenter.png

SenseTime, the largest AI company in China is considering an IPO and may list shares in Hong Kong and China.

SenseTime Group Ltd., the Chinese AI giant that deploys facial recognition technology on a massive scale, including for law enforcement, is weighing an IPO, according to Bloomberg. (Yahoo Finance)

Sources told Bloomberg anonymously that the company, which is backed by investors such as SoftBank and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, is raising $1.5 billion of pre-IPO financing at a valuation of nearly $8.5 billion.

IPO on the horizon

The sources said that SenseTime was considering an IPO that would be dual-listed in Hong Kong and China. Initial plans had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the company was reconsidering the matter given the recent enthusiasm for new share issues.

In 2018, SenseTime raised $2.5 billion at a massive valuation exceeding $7.5 billion. It quickly achieved the distinction of being the world’s most valuable AI startup.

The company currently works with 127 cities across China for various types of surveillance systems. It also counts as its customers many companies in retail, healthcare, and security industries.

In 2019, SenseTime reported a 147% growth in revenue to 5 billion yuan ($720 million).

However, the sources told Bloomberg that the IPO plans might well change and that nothing has been finalized as yet.

Ant Financial

Another Chinese giant, this one in financial services, is striding towards a massive-sized IPO. Ant Group, the fintech arm of Chinese company Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE: BABA) has made a preparatory filing with China’s securities regulator for its initial share issue, Reuters reported.

Last valued at about $150 billion in its 2018 funding round, Ant Group is looking for an IPO valuation of upwards of $200 billion according to Reuters.

Ant Group is said to be the world’s most valuable unicorn.

Sino-U.S. relations are a cause of concern

Chinese and U.S. relations are currently at a low because of tensions surrounding the virus, trade issues, human rights, Hong Kong, and technology disputes.

These are reasons Chinese companies are perhaps avoiding listing on the U.S. bourses. The advantages of listing at home such as convenience, access to a vast population of domestic investors, and support from the Chinese government, are also additional reasons, according to Fortune.

Related Story:   Ant Group, the Fintech Arm of Alibaba, To Float Hong Kong IPO

Image credit: SenseTime                                                 

Free Industry News

Subscribe to our free newsletter for updates and news about alternatives investments.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


Shape

Latest Alternative Investment News

https://dailyalts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AMD_headquarters_santa_clara.624da707519a6.jpg
Artificial Intelligence: AMD Takes On Rivals In The AI Chip Sweepstakes
December 7, 2023     Artificial Intelligence, News

Chipmaker AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) has unveiled a range of innovative AI solutions spanning from data centers to personal computers. The AMD Instinct MI300 Series features data center AI accelerators, while…

https://dailyalts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RHCEU-Inline.jpg
Digital Assets: Robinhood Debuts Crypto Trading On Its App In The EU
December 7, 2023     Digital Assets, FinTech, News

Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD) has launched its Crypto app in the European Union (EU), allowing eligible customers to engage in crypto trading with the added incentive of earning Bitcoin rewards. Customers…

https://dailyalts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Samsung_UK_Samsung_Pay_Lifestyle_0552-revised-Pictogram-23.11.30-1024x744-1.png
FinTech: Samsung Electronics Ties With Mastercard’s Wallet Express
December 7, 2023     FinTech, News

Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930) and Mastercard (NYSE: MA) have partnered to launch the Wallet Express program, offering banks and card issuers a cost-effective way to expand digital wallet offerings. Through…

https://dailyalts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Revaia-founders.jpg
Venture Capital: Revaia, Europe’s Biggest Female-Led VC Firm, Racks Up $160M For Second Fund
December 7, 2023     ESG and Sustainability, News, Venture Capital

Revaia, Europe’s largest female-founded venture capital firm, has successfully raised €150 million ($160 million) for its second fund, Revaia Growth II. The funding was secured from sovereign wealth funds, family…