The 19th floor

About The 19th floor

Originating from Hangzhou, China, 19lou.com is a local lifestyle service and community-based social networking platform operated by Shijiulou Network Media Co., Ltd. The company was founded in June 2001 by Lin煜 (Lin Yu), who at the time was an editorial board member of the "City Express" newspaper. The platform's name, which translates to "19th Floor," was inspired by the location of Lin Yu's office in the Hangzhou Daily building. Lin Yu, who also served as the editor-in-chief of "Urban Consumption" and deputy editor-in-chief of "City Express," brought his extensive media background to the digital space, shaping 19lou into a community hub.

The platform functions as a large interactive space offering life information, consumer shopping, and interpersonal communication. It primarily targets urban women aged 18 to 45, who are active in sharing experiences and seeking advice on significant life events such as relationships, marriage, parenting, and home decoration. The business model is centered on providing a forum for users to discuss a wide range of topics, from real estate and jobs to dining and travel. This user-generated content model fosters a highly engaged community. Revenue is generated through providing interactive marketing solutions for merchants, connecting them with their target consumer base on the platform. The company has a history of venture capital funding, including an Angel round from Ceyuan Ventures in 2008, a Series A from Legend Capital in 2013, and subsequent rounds involving investors like Huamei Holdings and Huali Group.

19lou's service is essentially a collection of online forums categorized by topic and geographic location. Initially focused on Hangzhou, the platform expanded to other cities starting in May 2008. Key features include dedicated sections for real estate, where users can find property listings and discuss the market; parenting forums for sharing advice; and sections for topics like wedding planning, home renovation, and second-hand trading. The platform's strength lies in its hyper-local focus, creating a space for residents of specific cities to connect and share locally relevant information, effectively becoming an indispensable part of their daily lives.