Freshly-funded app in China brings beauticians straight to your doorstep

Nearly every other startup that raises funding in China these days uses some sort of online-to-offline (O2O) business model. The latest is on-demand beautician app Meirong Zongjian, which roughly translates to "Beauty Director" in English.

Through Meirong Zongjian, users can summon a beautician to come straight to their home for a facial or massage. Every beautician goes through screening, training, and a background check. They exclusively use high-end French cosmetics brands. Select which service you want and browse through the profiles of beauticians nearest you.

Meirong Zongjian WeChat app

Meirong Zongjian today received a US$15 million series A investment from undisclosed investors, according to local news outlet Iyiou. The fresh funds will be used to upgrade the app’s backend, expand to more cities, and onboard more beauticians.

Uber for facials

Founded in 2014, the startup currently operates in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Hangzhou. It plans to expand to 20 to 30 cities this year.

Meirong Zongjian isn’t the first Uber-style app for such services. Diandao is an on-demand service that brings masseuses to your doorstep and just picked up US$5 million in series A funding. Helijia allows customers to book manicures and pedicures at local nail salons. It recently raised a US$50 million series C round.

In Singapore, Vanitee brings together independent beauty professionals and their customers, while LookBooker does the same for established salons.

Meirong Zongjian is available on iOS and WeChat.

(Source: Iyiou)