China’s ‘Uber for domestic help’ cleans up series B funding

Ayibang – which literally means “maid help” in Chinese – has secured series B funding just 10 months after its first major round.

Ayibang founder Wan Yong tells 36Kr that the investment amounts to about US$10 million (a common ballpark figure given by Chinese startups), led by Vertex Ventures, plus previous investors and a group of unnamed angel investors.

The startup brings together domestic helpers and other useful services into one platform in a similar way to Uber’s approach to transportation. It began by covering just four services, but in the course of the year it has added in extra options such as window cleaning and air-con maintenance.

Ayibang has also expanded geographically. When we first spotted the startup, it supported only Beijing, but now it covers Shanghai and Chengdu as well. The team will use the new funds to add in nearly every major (“tier-one”) city in the country during 2015, as well as some tier-two cities.

One of Ayibang’s main rivals is Ejiajie, which last month attracted a US$4 million series A round of funding from Tencent and Shanda. Ejiajie already covers six major cities.

Ayibang has apps for iOS and Android.

See: “It’s the Silicon Valley experience in Shanghai”

(Source: 36Kr)