36Kr (36氪): China's #1 Tech Media Platform for Startups & VC
36Kr (36氪) is China's most influential technology media platform, serving as the primary information hub for the country's startup, venture capital, and innovation ecosystem. Founded in 2010 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (KRKR), it reaches over 50 million monthly readers with coverage spanning tech, business, finance, and emerging industries.
TL;DR
36Kr has 50M+ monthly readers and FY2024 revenue of approximately 360M RMB (~$50M). The platform covers 200,000+ startups and is China's most cited source for VC funding news. Listed on NASDAQ (KRKR) and Beijing Stock Exchange. Revenue comes from advertising, enterprise services, and data products.
Key Insights
Readership
36Kr reaches over 50 million monthly active users across its website, mobile app, WeChat accounts, and syndication partners. Its audience skews heavily toward tech professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and business decision-makers in China.
Startup Coverage
36Kr maintains profiles on over 200,000 Chinese startups and has published tens of thousands of articles on funding rounds, product launches, and industry trends. It is often the first to break major funding news in China's tech sector.
VC Influence
36Kr is the most frequently cited Chinese media outlet by venture capital firms and institutional investors. Its annual '36Kr WISE' conference and startup rankings are considered authoritative benchmarks in China's innovation ecosystem.
Revenue Model
36Kr's revenue comes from advertising and sponsorships (60%+), enterprise data services (25%), and event/conference revenue (15%). The company has been publicly listed since 2019 but trades at a significant discount to its IPO price due to China's media sector challenges.
Content Expansion
Beyond written articles, 36Kr has expanded into video content, podcasts, and short-form content for platforms like Douyin (TikTok) and Bilibili. This diversification aims to reach younger audiences and adapt to changing media consumption habits in China.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 36Kr | TechCrunch | The Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 | 2005 | 2013 |
| HQ | Beijing, China | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Focus | China tech + startups | Global tech + startups | Deep-dive tech reporting |
| Monthly Readers | 50M+ | 15M+ | 500K+ |
| Paywall | Partial | No | Yes ($399/year) |
| Revenue (FY2024) | ~$50M | ~$50M (est.) | ~$40M (est.) |
| Stock | KRKR (NASDAQ) | Private (Yahoo) | Private |
| Content Language | Chinese (some English) | English | English |
| Key Strength | China startup/VC coverage | Global tech community | Exclusive scoops |
| Subscription Model | Freemium | Free | Premium |
Frequently Asked Questions
36Kr (36氪) is China's leading technology and business media platform, founded in 2010. It covers startups, venture capital, innovation, and tech industry trends. Listed on NASDAQ under ticker KRKR, it is the most influential tech media outlet in China's startup ecosystem.
36Kr is generally considered a reliable source for Chinese tech and startup news, particularly regarding funding rounds and industry trends. However, like many Chinese media outlets, it operates under content regulations that limit coverage of politically sensitive topics.
36Kr has a limited English-language section covering major Chinese tech news. The primary content is in Chinese. For English-language coverage of Chinese tech startups, Tech in Asia and China Tech Insights are alternative sources.
36Kr generates revenue through display advertising and sponsored content (60%+), enterprise data services and API products (25%), and conferences/events including the annual 36Kr WISE conference (15%). It has also experimented with paid content and subscription models.
Yes. 36Kr is dual-listed on NASDAQ (ticker: KRKR) and the Beijing Stock Exchange (BSE: 872946). The company IPOed on NASDAQ in November 2019 at $14.50 per share but has traded significantly below its IPO price.