作者/星空下的番茄 编辑/菠菜的星空 排版/星空下的蛋黄酥 #社交赛道 的角逐一直激烈。近日，凭借"灵魂社交"在Z世代中走红的平台#Soul，在时隔32个月后，再 次踏上了港股IPO征程。 与过往不同，Soul此次将故事的核心从"社交元宇宙"悄然换成了"AI+沉浸式社交"。最新数据显示，其 平台近八成用户为Z世代，日均使用时长超50分钟，展现出强大的用户粘性。 从"元宇宙"到"AI"，Soul不断更换资本市场"新衣"。这只专注"情绪价值"的"灵魂"，此次能敲开港交所 的大门吗？ 一、扭亏为盈，"情绪经济"蓝海市场 Soul成立于2015年，是目前中国领先的#AI+沉浸式社交平台，致力于与用户共同打造一个社交游乐场。 Soul作为一个AI驱动，基于兴趣的温暖的情绪绿洲，用户在Soul上可以获得情感满足，亦拥有属于自己 的社交货币和社交资产。 Soul的商业模型核心在于"情绪价值服务"。从《招股说明书》来看，该部分贡献了超过90%的收入。用 户通过购买Soul币（用于购买虚拟礼物或Avatar形象）或订阅"超级星人"会员（月费30元）来获取情感 满足。 这种模式呈现出"低付费率、高ARPPU（每名付费用户月均收入 ...

Core Viewpoint - Social platform Soul has submitted its main board listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, positioning itself as a unique player in the stranger social networking sector with its "soul matching" feature, which is popular among young users [1] Group 1: Business Model and Revenue - Soul redefines itself as an "AI + immersive social platform," with "AI + emotional economy" as the core of its business narrative, tapping into the significant potential of the emotional economy market, projected to reach 4.5 trillion yuan by 2029 [3] - The company's revenue is categorized into emotional value services, advertising, and other income, with AI-driven emotional value services being the primary revenue source, accounting for over 90% of total revenue in the first eight months of 2025 [3] - Revenue growth from 2022 to 2024 shows an increase from 1.667 billion yuan to 2.211 billion yuan, while emotional value service revenue rose from 1.518 billion yuan in 2022 to 1.969 billion yuan in 2024 [3] Group 2: AI Technology and User Engagement - AI technology plays a crucial role in Soul's operations, with its proprietary model Soul X providing deep immersive interactions and emotional experiences, enhancing user matching efficiency through interest graphs and AI algorithms [4] - The integration of AI capabilities, including AI filters and AI music composition, aims to improve monetization efficiency and enhance user interaction experiences [4] Group 3: Financial Performance and Compliance - Soul has demonstrated financial growth and profitability, achieving over 15% compound annual growth from 2022 to 2024, with adjusted profits of 361 million yuan in 2023 and projected adjusted profits of 337 million yuan in 2024 and 286 million yuan in the first eight months of 2025 [4] - In response to increasing regulatory scrutiny, Soul has proactively disclosed governance plans addressing algorithmic bias and data security risks in its prospectus, indicating a commitment to ethical practices [5] Group 4: Future Plans and Market Position - The funds raised from the IPO will be allocated to AI capability development, global expansion, user base growth, and content development, signaling a strong commitment to the commercialization of the emotional economy and long-term growth in the AI social networking sector [5]

Core Insights - Soul's upcoming IPO in 2025 is a significant event in the capital market, driven by its strategic backing from Tencent and a strong user base of 78.7% Gen Z users [1] - The platform has demonstrated its value in the "emotional economy" with a business model that emphasizes emotional value services, accounting for 90.8% of its revenue [1][3] User Engagement and Retention - As of August 31, 2025, Soul has 389 million registered users and 11 million daily active users, with impressive user loyalty metrics: 80% three-month retention rate, over 50 minutes of daily usage, 75 messages sent per user per day, and 20.1 daily launches [3][4] - The platform has created a "virtual social space" that allows users to connect based on interests and values, moving away from traditional social media's identity labels [3][4] Revenue Growth and Business Model - Soul's revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeds 15% from 2022 to 2024, with revenue reaching 1.683 billion yuan in the first eight months of 2025, a 17.8% year-on-year increase [4][8] - The platform's business model combines low-entry barriers with high-margin monetization strategies, including virtual goods and subscription services, leading to a monthly average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) of 104.4 yuan, a 140% increase since 2020 [8][9] Technological Integration - Soul's proprietary AI model, SoulX, enhances user experience by accurately understanding emotions and matching social needs, improving interaction efficiency by 32% and increasing conversion rates by 18% [6][7] - The platform's AI-driven content creation tools enable users to produce high-quality content, resulting in over 10 million new original pieces monthly [7] Market Position and Future Outlook - Soul's successful transition from continuous losses to stable profitability, with adjusted profits of 361 million yuan in 2023 and 337 million yuan in 2024, showcases its effective monetization strategy [8][9] - The stable shareholder structure, with Tencent holding 49.9%, supports Soul's commercialization efforts and strategic continuity [9][10] - The upcoming IPO funds will be allocated to AI development, GPU infrastructure, global expansion, and content creation, indicating a clear strategic direction for future growth [10] Industry Impact - Soul's IPO represents a maturation of the emotional economy in China, highlighting the shift from mere user acquisition to creating irreplaceable emotional value for users [11][12] - The platform sets a new value benchmark in the social media sector, demonstrating the commercial potential of emotional connections and the feasibility of integrating AI into traditional industries [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - Soul is making its fourth attempt to go public through an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with CITIC Securities as its sole sponsor, after previous attempts in the US and Hong Kong failed [1][2]. Group 1: Company Background - Soul focuses on providing "emotional value" services, distinguishing itself from other social platforms by allowing users to express themselves through avatars rather than relying on real identities or appearances [2]. - The company has attracted significant investment from notable backers, including Tencent, which holds a 49.9% stake and 25.7% voting rights, while the founder, Zhang Lu, owns 32% with 65% voting rights [2]. Group 2: User Engagement and Metrics - As of August 31, 2025, Soul is projected to have 11 million daily active users, with 78.7% belonging to Generation Z, making it the leading AI + immersive social platform in China [2]. - The average monthly user interaction rate is 86%, with users sending approximately 75 peer-to-peer messages daily [2]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Soul's revenue from 2022 to 2025 is projected to grow from 1.667 billion RMB in 2022 to 2.211 billion RMB in 2024, while the company has incurred losses of 508 million RMB in 2022, 129 million RMB in 2023, and 149 million RMB in 2024 [3][4]. - The adjusted net profit (non-IFRS) is expected to improve from a loss of 22 million RMB in 2022 to a profit of 2.86 million RMB in 2025 [3]. Group 4: Strategic Focus and Future Plans - The latest IPO prospectus emphasizes AI, with the term appearing 266 times, indicating a strategic pivot towards AI capabilities and immersive social experiences [5]. - The funds raised from the IPO are intended for AI development, global expansion, user base growth, and content creation [5]. - Soul has shifted its branding to align with the AI narrative, moving away from its previous focus on the metaverse as interest in that area wanes [5]. Group 5: Market Outlook - The acceptance of Soul's "AI + immersive social" narrative in the Hong Kong market remains uncertain and will be determined over time [6].

Core Viewpoint - Soul, a social platform, is making its fourth attempt to go public in Hong Kong, having previously faced three unsuccessful attempts. The company has shown improved financial performance and a clear business model, attracting significant attention from the market [2][3][5]. Group 1: IPO Attempts - Soul has made four attempts to go public, with the first being in May 2021 for a NASDAQ listing, which was paused due to potential legal issues [2]. - The second attempt in June 2022 to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange resulted in the prospectus becoming invalid within six months [3]. - The third attempt in April 2023 also failed, but the company is now trying again with updated financial data and a new business model [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Soul's revenue projections for 2022 to 2024 are 1.667 billion, 1.846 billion, and 2.211 billion RMB, respectively, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 15% [5]. - The company has transitioned from continuous losses to stable profitability, reporting an adjusted profit of 361 million RMB in 2023 [5]. - Gross margins are strong, with rates of 86.3%, 85.5%, and 83.7% from 2022 to 2024, maintaining above 80% [5]. Group 3: Revenue Model - Approximately 90.8% of Soul's revenue comes from AI-driven emotional value services, including virtual goods and membership privileges [6]. - The average monthly revenue per paying user is 104.4 RMB, with a paying user rate of 6.5% [6]. Group 4: Shareholder Structure - Tencent is the largest institutional shareholder, holding 49.9% of Soul, while the founder retains 63.3% of voting rights through an AB share structure [7]. - This structure allows the founding team to maintain control while attracting significant strategic investors [7]. Group 5: User Demographics and Engagement - Soul targets younger users, with 78.7% of daily active users belonging to Generation Z [8]. - The platform shows high user engagement, with an average monthly active user interaction rate of 86.0% and a three-month user retention rate of 80% [8]. Group 6: Future Plans and Challenges - Soul plans to issue 10% to 15% of new shares, aiming to raise between 253 million to 300 million USD, with a post-IPO market valuation projected between 2.5 billion to 3 billion USD [9]. - The company intends to allocate 40% of the funds for developing its AI model, 25% for overseas market acquisition, and 15% for expanding emotional consumption products [9]. - Despite its preparations, Soul faces challenges in a competitive social media landscape and must prove its ability to retain users and gain investor confidence [10].

Core Insights - Soul is attempting to leverage AI to create an emotional network, while the capital market scrutinizes its robustness and revenue potential [1] - The company has submitted its prospectus for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to capitalize on the growing AI social market [3] Company Overview - Soul, established in 2016, has developed a unique social platform focused on emotional connections rather than traditional metrics like appearance [4] - 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 [5] Financial Performance - Soul's revenue grew from 1.667 billion to 2.211 billion yuan from 2022 to 2024, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 15% [5] - In the first eight months of 2025, revenue increased by 17.8% year-on-year to 1.683 billion yuan, maintaining a double-digit growth trend [6] - The adjusted net profit for 2024 was 337 million yuan, with a significant increase of 73% to 286 million yuan in the first eight months of 2025 [6] Business Model - Soul's revenue model is primarily based on "emotional value services," with over 90% of total revenue coming from AI-driven services [6] - The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) is 104.4 yuan (approximately 14.3 USD), indicating strong user willingness to pay for emotional value services [12] Market Context - The global AI social market is projected to reach 58 billion USD by 2025, with China being a key player in AI emotional computing [3] - Despite the demand for AI social platforms, the industry faces challenges, including user retention and the need for differentiation in a crowded market [10][11] Challenges and Industry Dynamics - The industry has seen several notable projects fail, highlighting the difficulty in retaining users long-term [11] - Soul's 30-day retention rate for new users is 23%, the highest among Chinese AI social platforms, but still reflects challenges in maintaining user engagement [11] - The AI social sector is experiencing a consolidation phase, with only 10% of applications generating nearly 89% of industry revenue [10] Regulatory and Ethical Considerations - The company is aware of the regulatory landscape and plans to invest in safety mechanisms to address content governance challenges [16] - As AI social platforms navigate innovation and compliance, Soul's ability to balance growth, profitability, and regulatory acceptance will be crucial for its IPO success [17]

Core Viewpoint - Soulgate Inc. (Soul) is seeking to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after previous attempts were unsuccessful, with a new sole sponsor, CITIC Securities [3]. Group 1: Company Overview - Soul, established in 2015, is a leading AI-driven immersive social platform in China, focusing on creating a social playground for users [6]. - The platform allows users to engage without revealing their real names or appearances, fostering a friendly community atmosphere [6]. - As of August 31, 2025, Soul has approximately 389 million registered users, with daily engagement exceeding 50 minutes [6]. Group 2: User Engagement and Metrics - Average daily active users reached 11 million, with 78.7% being Gen Z, ranking first among AI+ immersive social platforms in China [6]. - Users initiate an average of 20.1 sessions per day, also ranking first in the sector [6]. - The platform boasts an 86.0% monthly active user interaction rate, with users sending approximately 75 direct messages daily [6]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Soul's revenue from emotional value services constitutes 90.8% of total revenue, with an average monthly revenue per paying user of RMB 104.4 [6]. - Revenue figures for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and the first eight months of 2025 are RMB 1.67 billion, RMB 1.84 billion, RMB 2.21 billion, and RMB 1.68 billion respectively [14]. - The net losses for the same periods were RMB 508 million, RMB 129 million, RMB 149 million, and RMB 36 million [14]. Group 4: Shareholder Structure - Zhang Lu controls 28.5% of Soulgate Holding Limited and can exercise 49.90% of voting rights through a trust [10]. - Tencent holds 49.9% of the shares, translating to 28.50% of voting rights after accounting for voting proxies [10]. - Other significant shareholders include Mihayou (5.47%) and Genesis Capital (5.34%) [10]. Group 5: Management Team - The board consists of 9 members, including 3 executive directors: Zhang Lu (CEO), Tao Ming (CTO), and Zhang Gaozheng (VP) [13]. - Non-executive directors include representatives from major investors like Mihayou and Tencent [13]. Group 6: IPO Details - Soul's IPO is sponsored solely by CITIC Securities, with KPMG as the auditor and various law firms providing legal counsel [15].

Core Viewpoint - Soulgate Inc. is leveraging AI technology as the core engine for rapid development in the immersive emotional economy, positioning itself as a leading AI-driven social platform in China [2][5]. Company Overview - Founded in 2015, Soul is an AI + immersive social platform that creates a warm emotional oasis based on user interests and personalities, utilizing advanced AI models and algorithms [3]. - Soul is the first AI + immersive social network platform in China where all users interact through virtual identities (avatars) [3]. User Engagement - As of August 31, 2025, Soul has approximately 390 million registered users, with daily active users reaching 11 million, 78.7% of whom are Gen Z [5]. - Users spend over 50 minutes daily on the platform, with an average monthly active user interaction rate of 86.0%, sending about 75 point-to-point messages per day [5]. - The platform sees over 323 million active "experience" scenarios created or participated in by users each month, with a three-month average user retention rate of 80% [5]. Financial Performance - Soul's revenue for 2022, 2023, and 2024 is projected at 1.667 billion, 1.846 billion, and 2.211 billion yuan, respectively, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 15% [6]. - In the first eight months of this year, revenue grew by 17.8% year-on-year to 1.683 billion yuan, with AI-driven emotional value services accounting for over 90% of total revenue [6]. - The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) is 104.4 yuan, indicating strong willingness to pay for emotional value services [6]. - Soul has achieved stable profitability since 2023, with an adjusted net profit of 337 million yuan projected for 2024, and an adjusted net profit of 286 million yuan in the first eight months of this year, reflecting a 73% year-on-year growth [6]. Investment and Funding - Soul has received investments from notable institutions including Tencent, miHoYo, and several venture capital firms, with Tencent holding a 49.9% stake as a strategic investor [6]. IPO Plans - Soul plans to use the net proceeds from its IPO primarily for further development of AI capabilities, GPU capabilities, data analytics, talent retention, global platform expansion, user base growth, content development, and general corporate purposes [7].