Is JD.com Seeking Series A For Its Financing Arm?

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China-based B2B eCommerce site JD.com is reportedly looking to strengthen its small business financing unit, according to reports.

Though unconfirmed, reports said there is talk that JD Finance is seeking to raise a new round of funding. The unit links retailers and businesses on the JD.com platform to various loan products, including supply chain finance, crowdfunding and other modules, including insurance and payments.

[bctt tweet=” JD Finance may be seeking to raise a new round of funding.”]

Reports said the unit will look to raise millions in Series A funding, though a spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the reports, which were published late last week. The company is also rumored to be eyeing an IPO in China in 2017.

The company first launched operations as an independent company in Oct. 2013, according to reports, which added that JD Finance would make a public debut on the China Strategic Emerging Industry Board, a new board on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, though would not rule out an overseas listing.

Reports added that if the company does not launch a successful public debut, it could be reacquired by JD.com.

Series A funding, meanwhile, would likely come from one of its three main investors, including Sequoia Capital, reports said.