Chapter 304: Germination adds a general, Wali Intelligent Manufacturing refinances, and Zhang Shuo shows his interest in Tengda!
"how do you feel?"
In the lounge of Fertile Land Research Institute, Professor Wu once again acted as a broker and asked Professor Tang Ou with a smile.
"It's a little unexpected."
Tang Ou did not hide his shock, "Before I came here, it was hard for me to imagine that domestic companies would have such ambitions in cutting-edge technology research and development, and even put them into practice."
"Mr. Ya is indeed an anomaly."
Professor Wu also smiled, "But you can't deny that Mo Ya has the strength to realize his ambitions."
"yes."
Tang Ou did not refute, Zhang Shuo's title as the richest man was there.
"So, what do you think? Do you want to join?"
Professor Wu continued to lobby, "Zhang Shuo has already agreed that the laboratory can be built in Xiangjiang and will not interfere with the daily scientific research work of the laboratory. It is completely free of charge."
"I don't think I have any reason to refuse anymore?" Tang Ou also took advantage of the situation.
"Ha ha!!!"
Professor Wu was also very happy, "Let's go, Zhang Shuo has already arranged the dinner."
………
Zhang Shuo's so-called dinner party was actually arranged in the canteen of the Fertile Land Research Institute.
Because Professor Tan Yunsong doesn’t like socializing outside.
Fortunately, Professor Wu and Professor Tan are both engaged in research and are not particular about what they eat. The most talked about topics at the dinner table are topics related to artificial intelligence.
To this day.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a general concept, but includes many research directions.
The more popular ones are——
1. Natural language generation
Artificial intelligence uses computer data to generate text, which can be used in customer service, report generation, and business intelligence information summary.
2. Voice recognition
Artificial intelligence dictates human language and converts it into a form useful for computer applications, which can be used in interactive voice response systems and mobile applications.
3.Virtual assistant
This is "the darling of the current media" and includes everything from simple chatbots to advanced systems that can communicate with humans online.
Can be used in customer service and support, as well as smart home management tools.
4. Machine learning platform
Provides algorithms, APIs, development and training toolkits, data, and computing capabilities to design, train, and evolve computational models into applications, processes, and machines.
Can be used in a wide range of enterprise applications, most of which include prediction or classification functions.
5. Hardware optimized by artificial intelligence
Specifically designed and architected GPUs and applications for running artificial intelligence computing tasks.
Can be used to transform deep learning applications.
6. Decision management
An engine that inserts rules and logic into artificial intelligence systems, which can be used for initial setup/training, as well as ongoing maintenance and optimization.
It can be used in a variety of different enterprise applications to assist or automate decision-making.
7. Deep learning platform
A special form of machine learning platform containing multiple layers of artificial neural networks that can be used for pattern recognition and classification based on large data sets.
8.Biological information
Empowering more natural interactions between humans and machines, including but not limited to image and touch recognition, voice and body language, can be used for market research.
9. Machine processing automation
Use scripts and other methods to automate human operations to support more efficient business processes and can be used for certain tasks and processes where labor costs are high or inefficient.
10. Text analysis and natural language processing
Artificial intelligence uses statistical and machine learning methods to understand the structure, meaning, emotion and intention of sentences, and can be used for fraud detection and information security, a variety of automated assistants, and the mining of unstructured data.
For example, use artificial intelligence to write press releases.
11.Image recognition
Image recognition refers to the process of identifying and detecting features in videos or pictures. Its mechanisms help in mass processing of image searches and detection of license plates, diagnosing diseases and studying personality.
The main research direction of Professor Tang Ou's team is face recognition system.
This is only the mainstream direction that can be explored at present. In the future, as artificial intelligence technology continues to mature, its application scope and fields will become wider and wider.
Until it becomes one of the main production tools for social progress.
There are so many research directions in the field of artificial intelligence, and each branch requires long-term efforts. Naturally, Fertile Soil Research Institute cannot handle it alone.
This is why Zhang Shuo is so eager to win over Tang Ou's team.
Professors Tan Yunsong and Tang Ou are both masters in the field of artificial intelligence. Professor Wu is also involved in the research of artificial intelligence, but Zhang Shuo is a bit of a layman.
But Zhang Shuo is not without merit. As a reborn person, he has a very intuitive understanding of the development trends of artificial intelligence in the next ten years, such as language assistants, face recognition, online translation, etc.
So I can add a few words.
Sometimes the proposed application prospects of artificial intelligence even resonate with professors.
Lu Qingyun, CEO of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing, who was accompanying me, would occasionally chime in.
Walli Intelligent Manufacturing's core business is robot research and development, and the core of robots is actually artificial intelligence, including facial recognition technology, map navigation technology and other intelligent sensing technologies.
In particular, the automatic pathfinding and planning system is the core of the robot.
"As long as we make breakthroughs in automatic path finding, we can develop sweeping robots, collaborative robots, tracked unmanned vehicles, AGV logistics cars, fixed-wing drones and other types of robots in the future. The prospects are bright."
When talking about the rise, Lu Qingyun danced with joy.
"Sweeping robot? This is okay."
Zhang Shuo didn't know much about anything else, but he was looking forward to the sweeping robot that would gradually transform from a rarity to being accepted and recognized by thousands of households in the next few years.
The market prospects are absolutely broad!
"What's the matter, Zhang Shuo, are you interested in investing some more money in Walli Intelligent Manufacturing? The initial funds of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing are almost exhausted." Professor Wu took over the conversation, half joking and half serious.
This is also his true intention of bringing Lu Qingyun here this time.
To put it bluntly, it is here to attract investment.
"At what stage has the automatic path-finding technology been developed?" Zhang Shuo asked.
"Well, we are still in the research stage." Lu Qingyun was a little embarrassed. Wali Intelligent Manufacturing has been established for more than a year, and it has spent a lot of money, but it has not produced any decent research and development results.
It's inevitable to be a little embarrassed.
"Okay, let's talk directly. How much money will we need to invest in this round of financing?"
Zhang Shuo is very self-aware and knows that even if Wali Intelligent Manufacturing is short of money, he will not accept a wholly-owned acquisition by Sprout. In terms of financial needs, it is probably a squeeze.
With each round of financing completed, the valuation of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing will increase.
The advantage of this is that even if each round is a budding main investor and the shares held by the founding team of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing are continuously diluted, at least some can still be retained.
It will not become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprout.
The founding team of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing are all elites from the field of robot research and development at home and abroad. They are mainly Ph.D.s. They are a bit proud at heart and are not willing to accept "pointing fingers" from Germination.
But pride is pride, and if you don’t have money, it doesn’t matter.
Compared with other venture capital firms, Sprout's reputation is already pretty good. Key Sprout has a very deep presence in the field of artificial intelligence. Walli Intelligent Manufacturing can strengthen its technical cooperation with Fertile Land Research Institute in the future.
Create a synergistic effect.
"Wali Intelligent Manufacturing's Series A financing is valued at 500 million, and it is planned to raise 100 million and transfer 20% of the shares. Mr. Zhang, do you think it is acceptable?" Lu Qingyun was also prepared.
"Can."
For the sake of Professor Wu, Zhang Shuo did not bargain at all.
An investment of hundreds of millions was finalized in a few words at the dinner table. It seems incredible, but the fact is that it is not that profound at all.
Because Zhang Shuo trusts Professor Wu, it's that simple.
When Walli Intelligent Manufacturing was founded, Sprout Group was one of the original shareholders. It invested 45 million yuan and obtained 35% of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing's shares, with a valuation equivalent to 130 million.
One year has passed.
The overall valuation of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing has risen to 500 million, which is a little watery, but it is still acceptable.
After Sprout leads the Series A financing, its shareholding in Walli Intelligent Manufacturing will increase from 35% to 48%. Not to mention that it is still the largest shareholder, and it is still close to achieving control of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing.
This is obviously also carefully calculated.
In the next round of financing, Walli Intelligent Manufacturing is bound to introduce new investors to prevent Sprout Holdings.
Again--
Friendship is friendship, business is business, and brothers still settle accounts.
"Thank you, thank you Mr. Zhang!"
It can be seen that Lu Qingyun is very excited, very excited.
It’s not his fault. Before looking for investment in Sprout, Lu Qingyun had actually contacted other venture capital investors. However, seeing that Wali Intelligent Manufacturing had not produced any results in a year, those venture capital investors could only give them a maximum valuation of 300 million.
.
It was too low from their expectations.
If we go by the internal estimates of the founding team of Walli Intelligent Manufacturing, even if there are no major results, their research and development in the past year has not been just for fun, and there have still been some breakthroughs.
The initial expected valuation was in the eight to billion level.
It's just that reality gave them a very loud slap in the face.
"There is no need to thank me. I just hope that Walli Intelligent Manufacturing can see results as soon as possible under the leadership of Mr. Lu. After financing, Walli Intelligent Manufacturing can set up a liaison group to connect with Fertile Land Research Institute. For related companies
We have always been fully supportive of our technology research and development."
Zhang Shuo took advantage of the situation and extended an olive branch.
Doing this is not only a goodwill gesture, but also a way to strengthen the business relationship between Suiya Group and Walli Intelligent Manufacturing, so that Walli Intelligent Manufacturing will not remain outside the Suiya system.
Similar methods have been used by Wujiang Technology before.
Lu Qingyun has Lu Qingyun’s little thoughts, and Zhang Shuo naturally has his own little calculations. After this financing, Sprout will definitely not go wild with Wali Intelligent Manufacturing.
At least.
It is necessary to dispatch financial, auditing and other related personnel to Walli Intelligent Manufacturing to ensure that the money invested in Sprout is actually used for technology research and development, rather than being used by the founding team for personal consumption in disguise.
Even for personal enjoyment.
One hundred million may not mean anything to Germination, but it is also impossible to be taken advantage of.
"Thank you, for sure!" Lu Qingyun quickly assured, "There will definitely be a breakthrough this year."
"Good things come in pairs today."
Professor Wu was also very happy. As expected, he helped Zhang Shuo win over Tang Ou that morning and told him with a smile that Tang Ou agreed to join the Fertile Soil Research Institute.
"Thanks!"
Zhang Shuo was also very happy and smiled and raised his glass. Professor Wu was indeed his lucky star.
………
After lunch, Professor Wu left first.
Lu Qingyun stayed, and he wanted to connect with Lu Kai, the rotating president of Germination, and take advantage of the coming weekend to lead the legal and financial teams of both parties to finalize a specific investment contract as soon as possible.
So is Professor Tang Ou.
In principle, it is planned to set up a face recognition laboratory in Xiangjiang, as a subsidiary of the Fertile Land Research Institute, with Professor Tang Ou as the chief scientist of the laboratory.
At the same time, he was selected into the Thousand Talents Program.
Normally, Professor Tang Ou only needs to report to Tan Yunsong, the chief scientist of the Germination Group. Tan Yunsong also signs and approves laboratory-related scientific research plans and R&D funds.
Zhang Shuo will never interfere.
………
On the weekend, Zhang Shuo met his second uncle again.
"The sprout moves very quickly."
Tang Yi was obviously in a good mood and well-informed. He knew that not only had Germination completed its investment in China Microelectronics, but it had also allocated an additional billion to invest in semiconductors.
Even the activation of Inaho Semiconductor has been heard of.
It is obvious that after the beginning of the new year, Germination has accelerated its investment and layout in the semiconductor industry.
This is also what he likes to see.
"It's just a small fight now." Zhang Shuo was very modest.
This is also true. Compared with the trillions of output value of the semiconductor industry, this budding investment is not even a warm-up. With this small amount of funds, it cannot make any money.
If you want to make a breakthrough in the future, you will need to invest at least tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions.
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Just look at Huaxia Microelectronics, which attracted 20 billion in funding in just one financing.
How can the current sprout be able to withstand this?
"Everything is difficult at the beginning!" Tang Yi was very confident in Zhang Shuo, "They say you are the hand of miracles, so let's create another miracle in the semiconductor industry."
As the scale of the sprout grows, Zhang Shuo inevitably becomes the focus of attention from all parties. The wind in the public opinion field is also blowing, and some news will appear from time to time.
This is not the case.
After the scandal of the richest man, some people on the Internet said that Zhang Shuo was a miracle worker. In just over a year, he built a huge family fortune from scratch.
He also analyzed that since the establishment of Sprout, he has never made a wrong move, and every move has been played to perfection.
Obviously, it also has the intention of flattering and killing.
Zhang Shuo could only learn to adapt to these rumors slowly.
"Weixin has recently developed a smart city solution, and it will be tested in Binhai City first." Tang Yi rarely mentioned specific work to Zhang Shuo.
"I have also read the plan. The prospects described are very exciting and have been approved."
"Thank you, uncle."
This matter was actually promoted by Zhao Xiaohu behind the scenes. Zhang Shuo did not interfere, let alone play the second uncle card. The two sides cooperated as they should.
There is no need to take any extra advantage.
"You don't have anything to tell me?" Tang Yi seemed to have something to say.
"No."
Zhang Shuo shook his head decisively, "I just want to make a small suggestion. As a first-tier city, Binhai City is also a city of youth and a city of innovation. It can speed up the construction of 4G appropriately. I heard that Lin'an is already ahead of Binhai City.
It is expected that full 4G network coverage in the main urban area will be achieved by the end of this month."
"Yeah?"
Tang Yi really took it to heart, "I will understand the situation you mentioned."
It stands to reason that Binhai City is not only the headquarters of Warwick, but also has well-known Internet companies such as Tenda and Sprout. If it lags behind in 4G construction, it is indeed inappropriate.
But this lag can easily be accelerated as long as the officials want to promote it.
Binhai City will achieve full 4G network coverage as soon as possible, which is definitely a big plus for Bu Ya. Not to mention that it will be more convenient to play mobile games, it will mainly promote the implementation of Weixin's "smart city solutions".
It can be said to be a win-win situation.
………
Monday, March 5th.
While having breakfast in the cafeteria, Zhang Shuo bumped heads with Lu Kai.
Of course, Lu Kai also knew what Zhang Shuo was concerned about, and reported with a smile: "The investment contract for Walli Intelligent Manufacturing has been drawn up, and the formal process can be completed today."
In order to finalize this investment, he worked overtime on weekends.
"Thanks for your hard work!"
Zhang Shuo was very satisfied. After breakfast, he invited Lu Kai to the office and made tea for Lu Kai himself.
"Thank you Mr. Zhang!"
Lu Kai was a little flattered.
"You previously proposed investing in Kuangshi Technology, Xiyin, how is the progress going?"
A month has passed since the incident. Zhang Shuo originally expected that, according to Lu Kai's eagerness to achieve results, the two investments should be negotiated last month.
Unexpectedly, the results have not come out until now.
"Both companies had already agreed to accept our investment. I don't know where Scarlet Capital got the news from, but United Tengda suddenly got involved."
Lu Kai has also been having a headache about this matter recently, "The current situation is a bit complicated."
"Then let's talk slowly."
Zhang Shuo can now treat business competition with a normal mind.
Since Qingcheng Group was able to launch a sneak attack and annex the mold group under the noses of the three giants, then Scarlet Capital and Tengda could naturally step in and cut off Hu Mengya's business.
In the end, it all depends on whose method is smarter.
"What about the research on the semiconductor industry? Are there any suitable investment targets?" Zhang Shuo asked again.
"Yes."
Lu Kai was also unambiguous, "We have temporarily identified three unicorn companies, Huaqing Communications, Chengrui Optical and Jialichuang. We will maintain secret contact in the future with a view to landing the investment as soon as possible."
With Kuang Shi Technology and the lessons learned from Xiyin ahead of him, Lu Kai would certainly be on guard.
Avoid being targeted by Scarlet Capital again.
"What do these three unicorns do? Do they have any unique secrets?" Zhang Shuo asked.
"Huaqing Communication is a mobile phone ODM company, Chengrui Optics focuses on the three major businesses of lenses, modules and transmissions, and Jialichuang is a high-tech enterprise that produces PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards)."
Although they are said to be semiconductor unicorn companies, they are actually doing just a few things and do not have many core technologies.
There are really very few domestic unicorn companies that can focus on research and development. Many so-called unicorns can't wait to go public to make money after they make a little noise.
"Yeah?"
Zhang Shuo was a little disappointed, "You can invest in these three companies first, but you still need to dig deeper into the semiconductor industry. It doesn't have to be mature, large-scale, and well-known. You can also tap into small and micro enterprises. As long as you have unique skills, you can invest in budding companies."
We can provide support and help them become bigger and stronger.”
He didn't want to be so impetuous, but wanted to be immersed in it for a long time.
"Understood."
Lu Kai also understood it well, "I would suggest that Sprout Investment establish a specialized semiconductor research group internally to conduct investment research in the semiconductor industry."
"I trust you."
Zhang Shuo is only responsible for controlling the general direction and has little involvement in specific investment business.
At the end of the conversation, Lu Kai suddenly mentioned something, "Mr. Zhang, I got news that last week, Scarlet Capital led the angel round investment of a start-up. It is said that this start-up was founded by a graduate student at Binhai University.
, leading blood testing technology.”
"Are you talking about Luopu Medical founded by Su Beibei?" Zhang Shuo had a strange expression.
"Yes, this is the company. Have you ever been in contact with Mr. Zhang?"
Lu Kai was surprised. He also paid extra attention because it was related to Binhai University. Originally, it was just a gossip after dinner.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Unexpectedly, there seems to be a story in it.
"This Su Beibei also came to me, hoping to invest in sprouting, but I refused on the spot." Zhang Shuo really underestimated this Su Beibei, and actually contacted Scarlet Capital in the blink of an eye.
It can be seen that there are indeed some methods.
What Zhang Shuo didn't know was whether Su Beibei could be favored by Scarlet Capital or "take advantage" of him.
After being rejected by Zhang Shuo.
Su Beibei was angry. She found out on the Internet that Scarlet Capital was not dealing with Sprout Capital, so she took the initiative to contact Scarlet Capital and said that the project in her hand was approved by Zhang Shuo, but it was not in line with Sprout Ya's investment direction.
There is a wave of reverse Q.
When Scarlet Capital heard this, they became interested. Although they were dubious about this blood testing technology, as a venture capital investor, they looked at the problem from a different perspective than Zhang Shuo.
At least in the eyes of Scarlet Capital, this thing can be packaged into a good story.
This is worth the investment!
Anyway, for Scarlet Capital, which casts a wide net, investing millions of angel rounds in Luopu Medical is like pouring water on it. It is gratifying to succeed, but there is no loss if it fails.
You can also make Zhang Shuo feel disgusted by the way, why not?
"That's okay!"
Realizing that there might be some gossip in it, Lu Kai wisely did not ask any more questions, but at the same time he also kept an eye on it, preparing to draw attention to this Luopu Medical.
Let's see what trouble can happen in the future.
………
After Lu Kai left, Zhang Shuo called Zhao Xiaohu to the office again and asked about the connection situation between Qinghe Technology and Binhai City, so that he could have a clear idea.
fine!
Zhao Xiaohu is also a very disciplined person, and nothing happened in the process.
At the end of the conversation, Zhang Shuo suddenly asked about the situation of Panda Live, "How was the user growth of Panda Live last month?"
"To be honest, it's average."
Zhao Xiaohu also had something to say, "In terms of game live streaming, after all, client games play a major role. Now the only client game that Pangda Live can stream is Dota 2, which is too thin."
As the popularity of TI1 events faded, Panda Live also fell into a growth bottleneck period.
"Look, is it possible to introduce Tenda's games, such as "League of Legends", "Dungeon Fighter" and "Cross Fire"?" Zhang Shuo suddenly thought.
"I'm afraid this is difficult, right?"
Tenda and Moya are now considered to be sworn enemies. "Before, there was a Pangda anchor who tried to live broadcast "Cross Fire", and soon we received a warning letter from Tenda's lawyer."
This shows how careful Tengda is about Pangda’s live broadcast.
"What if we allow Tenda to invest in Panda Live?"
Zhang Shuo was not just a whim. After realizing that Tenda and Scarlet Capital were getting closer, he was already thinking about whether to slightly improve the relationship with Tenda.
This does not mean that we must turn enemies into friends.
At least we can't let Scarlet Capital get too close to Tenda, which would cause a headache for Sprout Investment.
fortress!
They are often differentiated from within.
As long as Mei Ya and Tenda have further cooperation, Scarlet Capital will not have any grudges against Tenda. After all, Tenda abandoned Scarlet Capital once before when it acquired Dacong Dianping.
But one is indispensable, isn’t it?
"If that's the case, then you can get in touch with Tenda."
Zhao Xiaohu didn’t object either.
If after introducing Tenda's investment, Pangda Live can broadcast Tenda's client games, it will establish its dominance in China's game live broadcast field.