17Live aims to be the ‘izakaya’ of live-streaming services

WHEN 17Live chief executive Jiang Honghui thinks of the streamers on his platform, he does not see them as rock stars performing for large groups of fans. Instead, they are more akin to Japanese izakaya chefs hosting dinner for eight to 10 guests at a time.

“That’s the feeling we’re talking about. You go in, the chef knows you, greets you, talks to you,” he said.

However, the concept has yet to be fully appreciated by public markets in Singapore, where the app has no significant presence.