Core Insights - Soul, a social networking app targeting Gen Z, has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for the fourth time since initiating its listing plans in 2021 [4][16] - The company reported a revenue of over 2.2 billion yuan in 2024, with an average monthly spending of 104.4 yuan per paying user, and 78.7% of its users belong to the Gen Z demographic [4][10] Company Background - Founded by Zhang Lu, Soul was launched in November 2016 as a "soul social" platform, focusing on emotional connections rather than traditional image-based social networking [5][9] - The app gained popularity by allowing users to interact through virtual avatars and emphasizing shared values over physical appearance [7][10] Financial Performance - Soul initially adopted a "burn money for growth" strategy, with marketing expenses reaching 289.1%, 124.9%, and 118% of total revenue from 2019 to 2021, leading to significant losses [10][18] - In 2023, the company shifted its strategy to focus on existing user value, resulting in an adjusted net profit of 361 million yuan, with profits of 337 million yuan and 286 million yuan reported for 2024 and the first eight months of 2025, respectively [10][18] Revenue Structure - The primary revenue source for Soul is "emotional value services," which includes virtual gifts and membership privileges, accounting for approximately 90% of total revenue [10][11] - Users can purchase "Soul coins" for various virtual items, with prices ranging from 1.6 yuan to 5,333 yuan for premium gifts [11] IPO Journey - Soul's IPO journey began in May 2021 with plans for a NASDAQ listing, initially valued at around 2 billion USD (approximately 130 billion yuan), but was halted due to regulatory pressures and competition-related lawsuits [15][16] - After multiple failed attempts to list, including a submission to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2022 that became invalid due to outdated materials, the company has now reapplied with improved financials and a clearer AI strategy [16][18] Challenges Ahead - Despite recent profitability, Soul faces challenges such as a highly concentrated revenue structure, with 90.8% of income derived from emotional value services and only 9.1% from advertising [18] - User growth has plateaued, with monthly active users peaking at 29.4 million in 2022 and declining to 28 million by August 2023, alongside a shrinking Gen Z user base [18] - The platform also grapples with governance issues, including scams and inappropriate content, and faces potential debt risks related to financial liabilities amounting to 11 billion to 12.4 billion yuan [18][19]

Core Insights - Soul, a social platform targeting Gen Z, has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for the fourth time, with 2024 revenue projected to exceed 2.2 billion yuan and 78.7% of users being from the Z generation [4][19]. Company Background - Founded by Zhang Lu, Soul was created to address the lack of platforms for genuine emotional expression, distinguishing itself from existing photo-centric social apps [5][7]. - The platform's unique features include anonymous interactions and a focus on "soul communication," which quickly attracted users feeling constrained by traditional social media [7][9]. Financial Performance - Soul initially adopted a "burn money for growth" strategy, with marketing expenses reaching 289.1%, 124.9%, and 118% of total revenue from 2019 to 2021, leading to a revenue increase from 70.7 million yuan in 2019 to 1.28 billion yuan in 2021 [9][10]. - In 2023, Soul shifted its strategy to focus on existing user value, achieving an adjusted net profit of 361 million yuan, with projected profits of 337 million yuan in 2024 and 286 million yuan in the first eight months of 2025 [9][12]. Revenue Model - The primary revenue source for Soul is "emotional value services," which account for approximately 90% of total revenue, including virtual gifts and membership privileges [9][10]. - The average monthly spending per paying user increased from 75.3 yuan in 2022 to 104.4 yuan by August 2025 [12]. IPO Journey - Soul's IPO attempts began in 2021 with a plan to list on NASDAQ, but faced setbacks due to regulatory pressures and legal issues, leading to a shift towards the Hong Kong market [14][17]. - After multiple failed attempts, the company is now better positioned for its fourth IPO attempt, having achieved profitability and developed a clearer AI strategy [17][19]. Challenges Ahead - Soul's revenue structure is heavily reliant on a single business model, with 90.8% of revenue coming from emotional value services, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in user spending [19]. - User growth has plateaued, with monthly active users declining from a peak of 29.4 million in 2022 to 28 million by August 2025 [19]. - The platform faces governance challenges, including issues related to scams and content moderation, as well as potential debt risks from financial obligations totaling between 11 billion to 12.4 billion yuan [19][21].

Core Viewpoint - Soul App has submitted its third prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking its fourth attempt to go public after previous rejections and withdrawals in the U.S. market [1][2] Group 1: Listing Attempts - Soul's journey to IPO has been tumultuous, with the company initially aiming for a NASDAQ listing in 2021 but pausing the process due to internal considerations and support from major shareholder Tencent [2] - Legal challenges, including a lawsuit from Uki over unfair competition, have also hindered Soul's listing efforts, resulting in a freeze of 26.93 million yuan shortly after the IPO application [2] - After two failed submissions to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2022 and 2023, Soul is now making another attempt after more than two years [1][2] Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2023, Soul achieved a profitability turning point, projecting an adjusted net profit of 337 million yuan for 2024, with revenue for the first eight months of 2025 nearing the total revenue of 2022 at 1.683 billion yuan [3] - Revenue figures from 2020 to 2022 show a growth trajectory: 498 million yuan in 2020, 1.2812 billion yuan in 2021, and 1.6674 billion yuan in 2022, with gross margins increasing from 79.9% to 86.3% during the same period [3] - The majority of Soul's revenue comes from emotional value services, which account for over 90% of total revenue, while advertising and other business revenues contribute less than 10% [3][4] Group 3: User Engagement and Demographics - As of August 31, 2025, Soul has approximately 390 million registered users, with daily active users averaging 11 million, 78.7% of whom are from Generation Z [4] - Users spend an average of over 50 minutes daily on the platform, with an 86% engagement rate and a monthly retention rate of 80% [4] - The average monthly revenue per paying user is 104.4 yuan, indicating a stable but potentially stagnant user base in terms of growth [5] Group 4: Strategic Positioning and AI Integration - Soul has shifted its positioning over the years, evolving from "soul social" to "social metaverse for youth," and now to "AI + immersive social" [5][6] - The company emphasizes AI as a core competitive advantage, leveraging its self-developed emotional value model and AI recommendation systems to enhance user experience [5][6] - However, the high costs associated with AI development have risen significantly, from 187 million yuan in 2020 to a projected 546 million yuan in 2024, with 407 million yuan already spent in the first eight months of this year [6][7] Group 5: Regulatory and Compliance Challenges - The integration of AI into Soul's platform raises concerns regarding compliance and regulatory risks, particularly around content generation, copyright issues, and user data privacy [7] - The ongoing debate about the authenticity of AI interactions on the platform highlights the complexities and challenges faced by the company in navigating technological advancements and user expectations [7]