NetDragon Partners with Jiuzhou Culture to Establish Joint Venture

Takes Controlling Stake in AI Harness Business to Advance a Third Growth Engine

HONG KONG, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ("NetDragon" or the "Company"; Hong Kong Stock Code: 0777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a legally binding memorandum of understanding ("MOU") with Jiuzhou Culture ("Jiuzhou"), a leading AIGC short drama production and distribution company in China, to establish a joint venture ("JV") in which NetDragon will hold a 51% controlling interest. The partnership will focus on artificial intelligence technologies, AIGC-powered content creation and digital technology services, further expanding NetDragon's AI application scenarios and commercialisation opportunities while accelerating the development of a new growth engine.

Deepening the Integration of AIGC and Content to Build a Diversified Digital Business Platform

Rapid advances in AIGC are continuing to reshape content creation, digital entertainment and software services. With the ongoing maturation of generative AI, large-scale AI models and AI agents, AI is evolving from a supporting tool into a productivity platform that can enhance the entire value chain, from content creation and production to operations and commercialisation. Through the JV Company, NetDragon and Jiuzhou will combine their complementary strengths in technology, IP, content and industry resources to accelerate the deployment of AIGC across real-world commercial applications.

Under the MOU, Jiuzhou will inject into the JV Company all intellectual property, technologies and assets relating to the AI Harness system business, laying a solid foundation for product development and commercialisation. NetDragon will contribute Hong Kong dollars cash equivalent to RMB 50 million to the JV Company, acquire a 51% shareholding interest and consolidate the JV Company's financial results. The JV Company will focus on expanding foundational artificial intelligence software, large-scale AI models and the AI Harness system business. It is expected to serve as the first commercial validation platform in China for NetDragon's "AI ecosystem co-creation" strategy, marking the launch of the Company's third growth engine and laying the groundwork for the business model to be replicated and scaled across various sectors.

To accelerate the scalable commercialisation of the AI Harness business, the transaction also incorporates a multi-tiered, progressive performance-based incentive warrant scheme. NetDragon will issue 25 million unlisted warrants to Jiuzhou at an issue price of HK$0.10 per warrant share, to be granted in three tranches with initial exercise prices of HK$10, HK$12 and HK$15, respectively. The warrants will only become exercisable upon achievement of specified key performance indicators by the JV Company. Assuming full exercise of all warrants at the initial exercise prices, NetDragon will receive aggregate gross proceeds of approximately HK$314 million, which will supplement the Company's development capital while achieving deep alignment of interests and shared equity upside with its strategic partner. 

Strengthening AI Ecosystem Synergies to Drive a Third Growth Engine

As generative AI becomes increasingly integrated into content production, digital services and global operations, NetDragon and Jiuzhou will take this collaboration as a new starting point to fully leverage their complementary strengths and accelerate the commercialisation of AI capabilities, translating technological innovation into tangible business value. In recent years, NetDragon has continued to advance its AI strategy across AI+gaming, AI+education and enterprise intelligence, while actively exploring emerging AI businesses with the potential to establish independent commercial models. Jiuzhou, meanwhile, has built deep expertise in micro-dramas and digital content, with an integrated value chain spanning copyright operations, content creation, co-production, paid distribution and official distribution. It has also continued to expand the use of AIGC across content production, creation and operations. The two parties will further explore the deep integration of AI technology with the content industry, accelerating the implementation of AI capabilities in scenarios such as content generation, AI model applications, translation and localisation, platform operations, and enterprise technology services, to build scalable and sustainable business models.

Following the launch of the MOYU AI platform in August 2026, NetDragon's investment and controlling stake in the AI Harness business marks another important step in increasing resource allocation to its AI business and broadening its long-term growth pathways. The performance-linked equity incentive collaboration with Jiuzhou is expected to establish a new model of strategic collaboration for NetDragon, enabling the Company and its partners to grow the business together and share in the value created. Looking ahead, NetDragon will remain focused on its core AI business, deepen technological innovation and resource integration, and leverage its established strengths in gaming and education alongside the emerging growth engine of AI ecosystem co-creation. Under this three-pronged strategy, the Company aims to continuously strengthen its core competitiveness, enhance long-term investment value, and deliver sustainable returns to shareholders.

About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited

NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 777) is a global leader in building internet communities, with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users. Over the desktop and mobile internet eras, NetDragon previously established China's first online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China's most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless.   

Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known digital entertainment IP developers and operators in China with a history of successful flagship game titles deeply welcomed by users both at home and abroad. For more than a decade, NetDragon has also achieved success with its EdTech business both domestically and globally. Fully embracing the new AI era, NetDragon is driving its vision of "Infinite Growth" through AI-enabled digital entertainment and online learning, whilst building a systematic AI product methodology to create value growth.

NetDragon's overseas edtech business entity, currently a U.S.-listed subsidiary named Mynd.ai, is a global leader in interactive technology and its award-winning interactive displays and software can be found in more than 2 million learning and training spaces across 126 countries. 

About Jiuzhou Culture

Founded in 2021, Jiuzhou is a leading player in the online micro-drama industry, with an integrated business model spanning copyright operations, content creation, co-production, paid distribution and official distribution. The company has established a comprehensive, end-to-end content ecosystem designed to enhance operational efficiency and unlock synergies across the value chain. Embracing technological innovation, Jiuzhou actively integrates cutting-edge technologies such as AIGC to enhance content quality and creative capabilities. Its self-developed Moss tool has accelerated AI adoption across the entire value chain, leveraging technology to advance the development of the global short drama ecosystem.

In terms of content creation, Jiuzhou has accumulated the rights to more than 4,000 short dramas and has successfully distributed over 1,000 productions. Its portfolio spans more than 20 popular genres, including contemporary drama, romance, campus life, fantasy, suspense and historical fiction, catering to the diverse entertainment preferences of audiences in China and worldwide. By combining paid content, free-to-view short dramas and international expansion, Jiuzhou has developed a distinctive business ecosystem that strengthens its competitive position and drives continued innovation in the micro-drama industry.

Internationally, the company leverages its strengths in content production, audience reach and distribution networks to bring Chinese micro-dramas to global audiences while tailoring its offerings to local tastes and cultural preferences. Its flagship international platform, ShortMax, focuses primarily on North American and European markets, offering a wide selection of localized Chinese dramas and original productions. ShortMax is now available in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide, having achieved peak monthly active users (MAU) of over 30 million, more than 90 million cumulative registered users and 200 million downloads.

SOURCE NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited