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China’s generative AI tiger MiniMax pursues Hong Kong IPO to expand global reach

Hong Kong equity market offers platform for mainland Chinese AI firms seeking international investors amid intensifying domestic competition

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MiniMax plans to beef up its research and development. Photo: Handout
Aileen Chuang
Chinese artificial intelligence start-up MiniMax plans to channel funds from its proposed Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) into research and development as it seeks to compete with global and domestic rivals, according to a person familiar with the matter.
With 70 per cent of its revenue generated overseas, MiniMax was targeting Hong Kong’s international investor base and capital market, the person said.

The Shanghai-based firm, backed by Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings, was aiming for a listing as early as January, the person said. The IPO size had not been finalised, despite a July media report suggesting a range between HK$4 billion (US$514 million) and HK$5 billion, another source said. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

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The listing is pending approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission after the company filed its listing application with the Hong Kong stock exchange confidentially.
MiniMax founder Yan Junjie is focusing on developing multimodal AI models. Photo: Handout
MiniMax founder Yan Junjie is focusing on developing multimodal AI models. Photo: Handout

Domestic rival Zhipu was reportedly considering a Hong Kong listing around the same time. MiniMax and Zhipu are among the four new generative AI tigers of China – along with Baichuan and Moonshot AI.

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MiniMax and Zhipu declined to comment.

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