v3.25.2
Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities  
Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities

1.Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities

Quhuo Limited (the “Company”, and where appropriate, the term “Company” also refers to its subsidiaries, variable interest entity, and subsidiaries of the variable interest entity as a whole) is an exempt company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands on June 13, 2019. The Company, through its subsidiaries, variable interest entity, and subsidiaries of the variable interest entity, is principally engaged in providing end-to-end operational solutions to on-demand consumer service businesses in industries, including food and grocery delivery, bike-sharing, ride-hailing, housekeeping in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”). Quhuo Limited, is a holding company with no substantive operations of its own.

The Company commenced operations through Beijing Quhuo Technology Co., Ltd. in 2012. In preparation of its initial public offering (“IPO”) in the United States, the Company underwent a series of restructuring in 2019 (the “Restructuring”) in order to establish the Company as the parent company and Beijing Quhuo Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Quhuo” or the “VIE”) as the variable interest entity of the Company. On June 14, 2019, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Quhuo Investment Limited (“Quhuo BVI”) in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). On June 17, 2019, the Company incorporated another wholly-owned subsidiary, Quhuo Technology Investment (Hong Kong) Limited (“Quhuo HK”) in Hong Kong. On July 31, 2019, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Beijing Quhuo Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“WFOE”) in the PRC.

On August 23, 2019 (the “Restructuring Date”), the Company obtained control of Beijing Quhuo through a series of contractual agreements among WFOE, the VIE, and the VIE’s registered shareholders (the “VIE Agreements”). Accordingly, the business operations of the VIE were transferred to the Company, and the Company issued a total of 24,475,310 ordinary shares (including 9,502,550 ordinary shares issued but deemed not outstanding and held by the Company’s share-based payment trust) as well as 1,335,370 of Series A preferred shares, 9,500,030 of Series B preferred shares, 5,107,720 of Series C-1 preferred shares, 2,377,370 of Series C-2 preferred shares, and 5,810,610 of Series D preferred shares as consideration.

As the shareholding in Beijing Quhuo immediately before the Restructuring was identical to the shareholding in the Company immediately after the Restructuring, the Restructuring was accounted for a transaction between entities under common ownership, in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared as if the corporate structure of the Company had been in existence since the beginning of the periods presented.

1.Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities (continued)

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s principal subsidiaries, VIE and subsidiaries of the VIE are as follows:

    

    

    

Percentage of

    

Date of

direct or indirect

incorporation/

Place of

ownership by the

Entity

acquisition

incorporation

Company

Principal activities

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Quhuo Investment Limited (“Quhuo BVI”)

June 14, 2019

BVI

 

100

%  

Investment holding

Quhuo Technology Investment (Hong Kong) Limited (“Quhuo HK”)

June 17, 2019

Hong Kong

 

100

%  

Investment holding

Quhuo International Trade (HK) Limited (“Quhuo International”)

January 11, 2023

Hong Kong

90.1

%

Vehicle export

Beijing Quhuo Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“WFOE”)

July 31, 2019

PRC

 

100

%  

Development of computer software and applications

Variable interest entity

 

 

  

 

  

Beijing Quhuo Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Quhuo” or the “VIE”)

March 3, 2012

 

PRC

Nil

 

Development of computer software and applications; Investment holding

Subsidiaries of the VIE

Shanghai Quhuo Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Quhuo”)

April 4, 2014

 

PRC

Nil

 

On-demand delivery

Ningbo Xinying Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Ningbo Xinying”)

December 15, 2016

 

PRC

Nil

 

Bike-sharing maintenance

Nantong Runda Marketing Planning Co., Ltd. (“Nantong Runda”)

February 28, 2018

 

PRC

Nil

 

On-demand delivery

Shanghai Yijida Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Yijida”)

September 7, 2015

 

PRC

Nil

 

On-demand delivery

Ningbo Dagong Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Ningbo Dagong”)

January 5, 2018

 

PRC

Nil

 

Bike-sharing maintenance

Jiangxi Youke Automobile Rental Service Co., Ltd. (“Jiangxi Youke”)

April 8, 2018

 

PRC

Nil

 

Ride-hailing

Hainan Xinying Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hainan Xinying”)

June 29, 2020

 

PRC

Nil

 

On-demand delivery

Hainan Quhuo Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hainan Quhuo”)

July 8, 2020

 

PRC

Nil

 

On-demand delivery

Haikou Chengtu Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Haikou Chengtu”)

September 1, 2020

 

PRC

Nil

 

B&B Operation

Lailai Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Lailai”)

November 1, 2020

 

PRC

Nil

 

Hotel Cleaning

Hainan Quxing Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Hainan Quxing”)

November 5, 2020

 

PRC

Nil

 

Freight service

As PRC laws and regulations prohibit and restrict foreign ownership of internet value-added businesses, the Company operates its business primarily through the VIE and the subsidiaries of the VIE. The Company, through the WFOE, entered into power of attorney agreements and an exclusive call option agreement with the nominee shareholders of the VIE that gave the WFOE the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and to acquire the equity interests in the VIE when permitted by the PRC laws, respectively. Certain exclusive agreements were entered into with the VIE through the WFOE, which obligate the WFOE to absorb a majority of the risk of loss from the VIE’s activities and entitle the WFOE to receive a majority of its residual returns. In addition, the WFOE entered into an equity interest pledge agreement for equity interests in the VIE held by the nominee shareholders of the VIE. The Company also agreed to provide unlimited financial support to the VIE for its operations.

1.Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities (continued)

Despite the lack of technical majority ownership, the Company has effective control of the VIE through the VIE Agreements and a parent-subsidiary relationship exists between the Company and the VIE. Through the VIE Agreements, the shareholders of the VIE effectively assigned all of their voting rights underlying their equity interest in the VIE to the Company. In addition, through the other exclusive agreements, which consist of exclusive call option agreement, exclusive business cooperation agreement, and equity interest pledge agreement, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in the PRC, has the right to receive economic benefits from the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Lastly, through the financial support undertaking letter, the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE and consolidates the VIE and its consolidated subsidiaries as required by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3A-02 and Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”).

The following is a summary of the VIE Agreements:

Power of Attorney Agreements

Pursuant to the power of attorney agreements signed between Beijing Quhuo’s nominee shareholders and the WFOE, each nominee shareholder irrevocably appointed the WFOE as its attorney-in-fact to exercise on each nominee shareholder’s behalf any and all rights that each nominee shareholder has in respect of its equity interest in Beijing Quhuo, including, but not limited to executing the exclusive right to exclusive call option agreement, the voting rights and the right to appoint directors and executive officers of Beijing Quhuo. This agreement is effective and irrevocable as long as the nominee shareholder remains a shareholder of Beijing Quhuo.

Exclusive Call Option Agreement

Pursuant to the exclusive call option agreement entered into between Beijing Quhuo’s nominee shareholders and the WFOE, the nominee shareholders irrevocably granted the WFOE a call option to request the nominee shareholders to transfer or sell any part or all of its equity interests in the, or any or all of the assets of the VIE, to the WFOE, or their designees. The purchase price of the equity interests in the VIE is equal to the minimum price required by PRC law. Without the WFOE’s prior written consent, the VIE and its nominee shareholders cannot amend its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell or otherwise dispose of its assets or beneficial interests, create or allow any encumbrance on its assets or other beneficial interests and provide any loans or guarantees, or enter into any material contracts except those in the ordinary course of business. The nominee shareholders cannot request any dividends or other form of assets. If dividends or other form of assets were distributed, the nominee shareholders are required to transfer all received distribution to the WFOE or its designees. This agreement is not terminated until all of the equity interests of the VIE are transferred to the WFOE or the person(s) designated by the WFOE. None of the nominee shareholders have the right to terminate or revoke the agreement under any circumstance unless otherwise regulated by law.

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

Pursuant to the exclusive business cooperation agreement entered into by the WFOE and Beijing Quhuo, the WFOE provides exclusive technical support and consulting services in return for fees based on 100% of Beijing Quhuo’s net profit, which is adjustable at the sole discretion of the WFOE. Without the WFOE’s consent, the VIE and its subsidiaries cannot procure services from any third party or enter into similar service arrangements with any other third party, other than the WFOE. In addition, the VIE granted the WFOE an exclusive right to purchase any or all of the business or assets of each of the profitable VIE and its subsidiaries at the lowest price permitted under PRC law. This agreement is irrevocable or can only be unilaterally revoked/amended by the WFOE.

1.Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities (continued)

Equity Interest Pledge Agreement

Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreements, Beijing Quhuo’s nominee shareholders represent all of the VIE’s equity interests have been pledged to the WFOE as continuing first priority security interest to guarantee the nominee shareholders’ and the VIE’s obligations under the power of attorney agreements, the exclusive call option agreement and the exclusive business cooperation agreement. The WFOE is entitled to collect dividends during the effective period of the share pledge unless it agrees otherwise in writing. If Beijing Quhuo or any of the nominee shareholders breach its contractual obligations, the WFOE will be entitled to certain rights regarding the pledged equity interests, including receiving proceeds from the auction or sale of all or part of the pledged equity interests of Beijing Quhuo in accordance with PRC law. None of the nominee shareholders may assign or transfer to any third party, distribute dividends and create or cause any security interest and any liability in whatsoever form to be created on, all or any part of the equity interests it holds in the VIE without the written consent of the WFOE. This agreement is not terminated until all of the technical support and consulting and service fees are fully paid under the exclusive business cooperation agreement and all of Beijing Quhuo’s obligations have been terminated under the other controlling agreements. The Company has registered the equity interest pledge with the relevant office of the administration for industry and commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.

Financial support undertaking letter

Pursuant to the financial support undertaking letter, the Company is obligated to provide unlimited financial support to the VIE, to the extent permissible under the applicable PRC laws and regulations. The Company will not request repayment of the loans or borrowings if the VIE or its nominee shareholders do not have sufficient funds or are unable to repay.

Resolutions of directors of Quhuo Limited (the “Resolutions”)

The Board of Directors resolved that the Board of Directors or any person authorized by it shall cause the WFOE to exercise its rights under the power of attorney agreements and the exclusive call option agreement when the authorized officer designated by the Board of Directors determines that such exercise is in the best interests of the Company and the WFOE to do so.

In the opinion of the Company’s legal counsel, (i) the ownership structure of the PRC subsidiaries and the VIE, both currently and immediately after giving effect to the IPO, does not and will not violate applicable PRC laws and regulations; (ii) each of the VIE Agreements is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms and applicable PRC laws or regulations and will not violate applicable PRC laws or regulations; (iii) the financial support letter issued by the Company to the VIE, dated on August 23, 2019, and the resolutions contained in the Resolutions are valid in accordance with the articles of association of the Company.

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from the opinion of the Company’s legal counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If the Company is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures.

1.Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities (continued)

Resolutions of directors of Quhuo Limited (the “Resolutions”) (continued)

As of December 31, 2024, RMB7,346 of property and equipment of the VIE were pledged or collateralized. Creditors of the VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, who is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, through its 100% controlled subsidiary WFOE. The Company did not provide any financial or other support to the VIE other than what is obligated by the agreements described above. The table sets forth the assets and liabilities of the VIE’s after elimination within the VIE structure included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:

As of December 31,

    

2023

    

2024

    

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

43,690

 

50,397

 

6,904

Restricted cash

 

1,271

 

1,916

 

262

Accounts receivable, net

 

475,992

 

280,309

 

38,402

Prepayments and other current assets

 

66,777

 

102,237

 

14,006

Amounts due from a related party

 

253

 

 

Total current assets

 

587,983

 

434,859

 

59,574

Non-current assets:

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

14,517

 

8,781

 

1,203

Intangible assets, net

 

82,818

 

57,985

 

7,944

Right-of-use assets, net

 

6,217

 

4,647

 

637

Goodwill

 

65,481

 

65,481

 

8,971

Deferred tax assets

 

21,974

31,064

4,256

Other non-current assets

 

141,383

225,643

30,913

Total non-current assets

 

332,390

393,601

53,924

Total assets

 

920,373

828,460

113,498

LIABILITIES:

 

Current liabilities:

 

Accounts payable

 

247,188

145,750

19,968

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

58,345

32,165

4,407

Short-term debt

 

92,653

102,848

14,090

Short-term lease liabilities

 

3,906

2,818

386

Inter-group balance due to Parent and WFOE

 

44,054

43,306

5,933

Amounts due to a related party

 

1,350

185

Total current liabilities

 

446,146

328,237

44,969

Non-current liabilities:

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

4,689

599

82

Long-term debt

 

7,533

4,706

645

Long-term lease liabilities

 

1,434

1,635

224

Other non-current liabilities

 

54,484

62,352

8,542

Total non-current liabilities

 

68,140

69,292

9,493

Total liabilities

 

514,286

397,529

54,462

The VIE’s net asset balance was RMB406,087 and RMB430,931 (US$59,036) as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

1.Organization, Consolidation and Principal Activities (continued)

Resolutions of directors of Quhuo Limited (the “Resolutions”) (continued)

The table sets forth the results of operations of the VIE included in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss)/income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively:

    

For the year ended December 31,

2022

    

2023

    

2024

    

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenue

 

3,820,378

3,547,932

2,933,604

401,902

Net income

 

61,939

22,230

24,272

3,325

The table sets forth the cash flows of the VIE included in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively:

For the year ended December 31,

    

2022

    

2023

    

2024

    

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

 

114,059

(74,965)

(53,786)

(7,369)

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

39,767

2,552

13,646

1,869

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

 

(82,140)

24,221

47,598

6,521

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(306)

(6)

(105)

(14)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

71,380

(48,198)

7,353

1,007