Smart Dragon

About Smart Dragon

Beijing Linglong Culture Development Co., Ltd., operating as Smart Dragon, is a content creation and intellectual property (IP) management firm focused on the fantasy genre. The company was established in Beijing on February 29, 2016, by the acclaimed Chinese fantasy author Yang Zhi, who is better known by his pen name, Jiang Nan. Yang Zhi, a Peking University graduate who later studied in the United States, is a prominent figure in Chinese literature and a founder of one of the predecessors of Baidu Literature, Zongheng Chinese Network. His extensive background and passion for literature led him to create Linglong Culture as a "dream factory" for writers, aiming to foster a supportive environment for authors.

The company's core business revolves around the development of its founder's rich portfolio of literary works, such as the popular series "Kyushu" and "Dragon Raja," into a wide array of media formats. The business model is centered on a full-chain IP industry approach, transforming its literary properties into screenplays, films, television series, video games, and even virtual reality content. This strategy targets a young audience with inspiring texts and visual productions. Linglong Culture makes money through the licensing and development rights for these adaptations. The company also employs a unique "writer-signing strategy," charging a symbolic 1% agency fee to attract and retain talented authors, enabling them to focus on creating quality content that can then be developed across multiple platforms.

Shortly after its inception, Linglong Culture secured a significant investment of 100 million RMB from Alpha Group (Auldey), a major player in China's animation and toy industry. The company has since completed further funding rounds, including a Series A in October 2016 and a Series B in January 2018, with Tencent Investment as another key backer. This financial support has been instrumental in the company's ambition to create the "number one fantasy world in China" by developing and expanding its valuable IP assets into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem.