When it comes to finding a creative name for your company, it’s always a headache. Many entrepreneurs want an edgy yet memorable name, but ideas don’t always come easily. AllChinaTech looks into the apps below, the names of which may make you scratch your head.
Transportation apps:
DuduBus
As rivals of China’s largest ride-hailing company Didi’s bus service (DidiBus), their name sounds awfully similar. Hailing from Shenzhen, southern China, this company was founded in April. DuduBus claims to have 45,000 users online and the buses are often more than 83% full. They also have services in Guangzhou and Beijing. This commuting startup implements value-added services including offering breakfasts, newspapers, and Wi-Fi on board, special seats for pregnant women, first-aid kits and ponchos. The company raised USD 8.2 million in series A funding in September.
DadaBus
If one competitor with a similar name is not enough, here’s another you could follow. DadaBus was also founded in Shenzhen, Southern China, in March. This startup caters to white-collar workers commuting to and from work. DaDaBus claims to have more than 1.5 million registered users and serves over 2,000 routes in 13 major cities including Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing. To reserve seats, passengers need to book through the app ahead of schedule. The commuting startup raised closed to USD 31 million in series B funding in September.
Dating and social network Apps:
Tantan
Tantan means exploring. This dating app is dubbed the “Chinese Tinder”. The dating app was founded last July in Beijing. It claims to have half a million daily active users and 100 million daily swipes on the app. If you’re asking what “swipes on the app” means, please refer to our guide on how Tantan works. Most of Tantan’s users are millennials, according to PEdaily. Tantan raised USD 5 million in series A funding from Bertelsmann Asia Investment Fund in January.
Bengbeng
Bengbeng means to jump around. The company was founded in 2013 in Hangzhou. It’s a social network and entertainment platform which uses video games as a common interest to draw users. They’re trying to build a virtual community to let users play games, shop and exchange gifts. Their profits are made from online advertising. The company claims to have millions of users and has fundraised millions of dollars, without verified details.
Video Streaming apps:
Douyu TV
Douyu means fighting fish. Douyu TV is a video streaming platform which is similar to Twitch. As China’s leader in game streaming, its daily pageviews has reached 39.69 million. Douyu does live streaming on video games matches, and also broadcasts sports, entertainment and cultural programs. It has raised USD 3.17 million in series A funding and USD 20 million in series B funding from Sequoia Capital.
Panda TV
Setting itself up as Douyu TV’s direct competitor, Panda TV was founded in July with registered capital of RMB 20 million. The CEO of Panda TV is Wang Sicong, the son of China’s richest businessman, Wang Jianlin, founder and CEO of Wanda Group. Panda TV has also poached several first-tier live streaming content producers by offering them high salaries to lure them away from other competing ventures.