Maoyan, one of China’s biggest online ticketing platforms, said it has secured 1 billion yuan ($150.82 million) in funding from internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, valuing the company at 20 billion yuan.
The deal comes after Maoyan and Tencent-backed Beijing Weiying Technology Co struck a merger deal in September to create a movie ticketing giant.
Tencent’s additional investment in the newly created entity points to heated competition with rival ticketing app Taopiaopiao owned by tech behemoth Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
Maoyan, which says it controls 65 percent of China’s online movie ticket market, is also considering an IPO.