STARTUP PROFILE

Pumpkin Coach (Nanguache)

Updated: 12/2016

Pumpkin Coach (Nanguache)

China / Shanghai , China

Website

Series A 11/2016

Pitch

Transparent fees, zero wait time with this app that connects users directly with hairdressers, not salons. Ratings enable informed choices, spur hairdressers to become competitive.

Why

Hairdressers at the core

A good haircut is critically dependent on the stylist, rather than the salon.

Off-putting salon practices

Chinese salons often push VIP memberships, which can interfere in customer-stylist relations and repel customers.

High operating, marketing costs

Even with good hairdressers, some salons can’t afford the high costs of rents and publicity.

Market

29 million

Number of users of online-to-offline beauty services in China in 2016, seen to rise to 124 million by 2018. Hairdressing comprises about 60% of the beauty industry.