theAsianparent, a Southeast Asia community and content platforms for mums and parents, has announced an 8-figure USD sum to launch in Africa starting with Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa as well as expand into other parts of Asia.
The Series C round was led by Fosun International, JD.com, ATM Capital, and Redbadge Pacific, with participation from existing investors Global Grand Leisure and WHG Capital.
According to Roshni Mahtani, Founder and CEO of theAsianparent, “Our move from a content platform to a social network wasn’t an easy one, but has significantly accelerated our business to serve as a leading source of information for parents around Asia and the world. One thing that hasn’t changed is our focus on parenting from an Asian perspective.”
Since its launch as a parenting blog, the platform has grown into a multinational tech company and digital publishing house for parenting content and community forums present in more than 12 countries including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, India, Taiwan, Japan and now Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
The company claims it reaches over 23.5 million users monthly across Southeast Asia, India and Africa. It’s other platforms include Asian Money Guide, HerStyleAsia, and Nonilo.
Last year September, theAsianparent launched its mobile app encompassing a community-driven platform providing news, tips and acting as a support network for parents and parents-to-be.
Apart from expansion into new markets, the funding will also help it develop its recently-launched mobile app.
theAsianparent.com’s parent Tickled Media last year raised more than $6.7 million from Global Grand Leisure, Mountain Pine Capital and Vertex Venture Holdings which also invested in them in 2015.