F

Fenbi Education

Edtech · Chaoyang District, China · Founded 2015 · IPO 2023

Fenbi Education, a prominent player in China's non-formal vocational education and training sector, was established in 2015 with its headquarters located in Beijing. The company was founded by Yong Li, Changzhen Guo, and Xin Li, with Xiao Long Zhang serving as the CEO since its inception. Fenbi originated as a business unit within the online tutoring company Yuanfudao in 2013 before being formally spun off as an independent entity in 2020. The founding team recognized the growing potential of online education, driven by advancements in internet technology and infrastructure. The company's core business revolves around providing comprehensive test preparation services for a variety of recruitment and qualification examinations in China. These include the national civil service examination, public institution recruitment tests, teacher qualification and recruitment exams, and postgraduate entrance examinations. Fenbi primarily serves adult learners and college graduates aiming to secure careers in government-sponsored institutions or other professional industries. The business operates through a hybrid model that integrates online and offline educational delivery. Its digital offerings include live and recorded online courses, membership packages, and extensive question banks for practice. Complementing its online presence, Fenbi has established a significant physical footprint, with over 396 learning centers across numerous provinces and cities in China, facilitating in-person, classroom-based tutoring. Revenue is generated through three main streams: fees for online training services, tuition for classroom-based tutoring, and the sale of proprietary books and learning materials. A key achievement for the company was its successful initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on January 9, 2023, which provided substantial financial backing for its future expansion. Before going public, Fenbi secured a significant $390 million in a Series A funding round in February 2021, led by IDG Capital and Trustbridge Partners. The company has demonstrated a commitment to leveraging technology, with ongoing investments in artificial intelligence to develop tools like an AI Intelligent Teacher, designed to offer personalized instruction and enhance operational efficiency. Keywords: vocational education, test preparation, civil service exam, online training, offline tutoring, edtech, professional qualifications, postgraduate entrance exam, teacher recruitment, China education, online learning, career training, public institution exams, educational software, adult learning, examination tutoring, hybrid education model, AI in education, Beijing startup, Hong Kong IPO