# Beijing Sogou Information Service Co.

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/beijing-sogou-information-service-co

- Industry: Internet
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Website: www.sogou.com
- Total disclosed funding: $48M
- Latest round: Series A (Aug 9, 2010)
- Investors on record: 2

## About

Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd. is a prominent Chinese online search engine that enables efficient search functionalities across various content types, enhancing user experience with advanced algorithms and AI-driven technology.Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Beijing, China, Sogou operates as a leading search engine, enabling users to conduct online queries. The company has undergone significant changes, including transitioning to a Public to Private funding strategy. Sogou completed a funding round of USD 1,180.00 mn, led by Tencent Holdings Limited, which represents the total amount raised to date. Sogou has executed a total of 4 deals since its inception.Sogou primarily operates as a search engine allowing users to execute online searches effectively, with a character limit of 40 Chinese characters for queries. Its core product offering includes a search engine that uses advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to deliver relevant results across web pages, images, and videos. Additionally, Sogou offers input methods for Chinese characters, which significantly enhance user experience by facilitating faster and more accurate typing. The company caters to a diverse clientele, including individual internet users, businesses seeking online visibility, and advertisers aiming to leverage search engine marketing. While Sogou's primary focus is the Chinese market, it also extends services to international users within Chinese-speaking communities.Sogou generates revenue from a combination of advertising services and partnerships. The main transaction structure involves businesses purchasing advertising space on its search engine platform, promoting products and services to a vast user base. These transactions are generally structured as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, where advertisers compensate Sogou for each click their ads receive. Furthermore, Sogou engages in partnerships that may involve revenue-sharing agreements, particularly with content creators or other platforms. The company’s flagship offerings, including its search engine and Chinese input methods, are instrumental in attracting advertisers and contributing significantly to its revenue model.Sogou aims to innovate its product offerings, with plans for launching new features that enhance search functionalities, although specific release dates have not been disclosed. The company is also targeting expansion into international markets where Chinese speakers reside. Recent funding of USD 1,180.00 mn will be utilized to support these initiatives and strengthen its technological infrastructure. Notably, Alibaba Group's decision in July 2012 to sell its 10% stake in Sogou back to the company for USD 25.8 million, and YF Capital's exit from their stake demonstrates ongoing strategic financial maneuvers within the company's operational landscape.

## Funding rounds

- Series A, Aug 9, 2010, $48M — YF Capital, Alibaba Group

## Investors

- YF Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/yf-capital) — Series A
- Alibaba Group — Series A