TOKYO -- Chinese technology news platform 36Kr will launch a Japanese version of its website on Sunday, hoping to eventually provide support services for startups trying to break into China.
36Kr will translate and post over 10 news articles a day on Chinese startups and the information technology industry. Analysis by Japanese writers and articles presenting Chinese business know-how will also be available.
The website will be free to view for the time being and generate revenue from advertisements. 36Kr aims for 5 million views per month after one year.
The company will then set up a joint venture called 36Kr Japan in Tokyo with LXR, a creator of Chinese-language websites for Japanese companies. LXR President Kaichi Nakajima will double as president of the new entity.
LXR will hold a majority stake while 36Kr's operating company will be the second-largest shareholder. Funds will also be raised from local venture capital firms until September.
The joint venture will roll out services for Japanese companies interested in Chinese startups and the IT industry through the new website. It also plans to help local companies enter China and perform studies of startups in that country. These services are expected to grow into the new entity's main operations going forward.
36Kr began its Chinese website in 2012 and is currently considered the top platform in China for startup and IT industry news. Its parent company has a database of over 560,000 Chinese companies. It also has about 1,000 employees and provides services like startup consulting.
LXR was founded by Nakajima, who was posted in China for many years while at Funai Electric. The builder of Chinese-language websites already cooperates with companies likes Baidu's Japanese unit.
