Meituan Acquires AI Startup "Guangnian Zhiwai" for Approximately 2.07 Billion RMB

Meituan disclosed that it has completed the 100% acquisition of the domestic and overseas entities of Guangnian Zhiwai, an AI startup founded by former Meituan co‑founder Wang Huiwen, for an estimated price of 20.65 billion RMB.

The deal follows a rapid rise of Guangnian Zhiwai, which within four months attracted top venture capital, raised roughly 15.66 billion RMB, and recruited prominent AI researchers such as Liu Jiang from the Baidu Institute of Deep Learning, Sogou’s input‑method founder Ma Zhan‑kai, and Kuaishou founder Su Hua, with Tencent also investing US$5 million.

Wang Huiwen, who announced his retirement from Meituan in 2020 and later launched Guangnian Zhiwai with the slogan “China’s OpenAI,” faced health issues in May, prompting concerns about leadership continuity.

Meituan’s founder Wang Xing publicly supported the acquisition, emphasizing the importance of large‑model AI for boosting productivity and addressing content‑ecosystem gaps against competitors like Douyin.

According to official statements, the acquisition provides Meituan with leading AGI technology and talent, enhancing its competitiveness in the fast‑growing AI sector, while also offering a stable exit for investors and a supportive “big brother” for Wang Huiwen’s recovery.