Operator App Lands $15 Million to Bring Chinese Users American Goods

Normally, we hear about how Chinese goods are flooding American stores, and while most people aren’t really in favor of this development, it doesn’t show any signs of letting up any time soon.

Interestingly, a new development is turning this whole process on its head, as Chinese startup firm Operator just raised $15 million in venture funding to drive the sale of American goods in China.

What’s more, this latest funding round is just indeed the latest, as it was a Series B round that added to a cumulative total of $100 million so far.

The Series B leader was GGV Capital, a company that actually specializes in US-China operations, providing some valuable insights in how to navigate the various potential issues coming with the concept.

GGV Capital was hardly alone, and it looks like there are no shortage of funders interested in better connecting Chinese citizens with American products.

Some might think that Americans don’t actually make products any more, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

Those skeptical need only keep an eye out for Menard’s, the home improvement store who routinely runs a sales promotion called the “Made in the USA” sale in which only American products are featured for discounts.

Operator-which is set to offer interfaces through Android, iOS and even Facebook Messenger-will offer access to apparel, home goods, cosmetics, and even electronics delivered to their door from the closest source.

A chatbot interface provides help and answers, and looks to straddle the line between online convenience and variety of goods with a brick-and-mortar store’s personal touch.

That particular blend is a potent prospect, especially since this is going into action in China proper.

Many Chinese citizens may have never seen American products before, and that exotic nature could lure in quite a bit of business. It’s actually kind of a surprise that no one’s thought to do this before now, but given the overall environment in China, it may be that this is the first time the country’s been allowed to do something like this.

Operator could prove to be a very impressive shopping app, but it will be a while before we see how Operator gets the word out about its available stock of goods, and how it handles the order process from there.