Thai food delivery app LINE MAN Wongnai weighs IPO in Thailand, US in 2025
In a recent exclusive interview with TechCrunch, Yod Chinsupakul, CEO and co-founder of Line Man Wongnai, revealed the company's contemplation of an initial public offering (IPO) on a Thai exchange or potentially in the U.S. by 2025. The decision regarding the IPO venue remains pending, with a dual listing in Thailand and the U.S. being considered as a viable option, noted Chinsupakul.
LINE MAN Wongnai, backed by prominent investors including Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, Z Holdings, and BRV Asia, has accrued over $372 million in funding and commands a valuation surpassing $1 billion. Chinsupakul emphasized the company's primary focus on business execution and restructuring in preparation for the prospective IPO, while concurrently assessing capital structures and financing needs.
A key factor setting LINE MAN Wongnai apart, according to Chinsupakul, lies in its strategic collaborations with Line, Thailand's leading messaging app. Leveraging Line's extensive user base, Line Man Wongnai amalgamated with Line Man in 2020, facilitating access to a broader consumer demographic. Subsequent acquisitions of Rabbit Line Pay (RLP) and FoodStory in 2023 further augmented the company's offerings, encompassing food and grocery delivery, ride-hailing services, and a payments platform.
As Chinsupakul elucidated, Line Man Wongnai aspires beyond the confines of a conventional super app, aiming to provide comprehensive solutions for both consumers and merchants alike. Acknowledging the competitive landscape dominated by entities like GrabFood and GoTo, Line Man Wongnai remains poised to capitalize on Thailand's burgeoning online food and grocery delivery market, underpinned by its robust penetration rate and untapped potential.
With ambitions to expand its POS business and payments services, Line Man Wongnai is committed to bolstering its technological infrastructure, particularly in data analytics and AI. While navigating the trajectory towards IPO readiness, the company remains steadfast in its dedication to the Thailand market, eschewing immediate expansion into other Southeast Asian territories.
As Line Man Wongnai charts its course towards a potential IPO, its strategic partnerships and relentless pursuit of innovation stand as pillars propelling the company's trajectory in the dynamic landscape of food technology and delivery services.
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