Momenta moves closer to Hong Kong IPO after US listing setback

Chinese autonomous-driving start-up Momenta moved a step closer to a Hong Kong initial public offering after mainland China’s securities regulator disclosed a filing notice approving the proposed share sale.

The proposed listing would add another autonomous-driving company to Hong Kong’s market, following a wave of capital-raising by Chinese intelligent-driving firms seeking funding for research, product development and commercial expansion.

On Thursday, the China Securities Regulatory Commission published a filing notice dated June 10 allowing Momenta Global to issue up to 43.75 million overseas-listed ordinary shares and list on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The company submitted its overseas listing materials through its mainland operating entity, Momenta (Suzhou) Technology.

Under China’s overseas listing regime, companies must complete a filing process with the securities regulator before proceeding with an offshore offering.

The approval marks a change in listing destination for Momenta. In 2024, the CSRC approved its pursuit of a listing in the United States that did not materialise.

The CSRC said the filing confirmation did not represent an assessment of the company’s investment value or future returns, and nor did it guarantee the accuracy or completeness of its disclosures.

Founded in 2016, Momenta develops advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous-driving technologies for carmakers. The company has teamed up with several major car manufacturers, including SAIC Motor and BYD, and has expanded its business from assisted-driving systems to robotaxi technology.

The planned listing comes as Chinese autonomous-driving companies increasingly tap public markets to fund research and expansion. Sector peers including WeRide and Pony.ai have completed overseas listings in recent years, while Hong Kong has sought to attract more technology companies to its market.