After the Spring Festival, Lin Zuhui took a private plane to the United States.
Silicon Valley.
Lin Zuhui came to meet Jim Clark, the former chairman of SGI in Silicon Valley, accompanied by Lu Bingwen.
Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) was founded in 1982 and is a multinational company that produces high-performance computer systems. It is headquartered in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, California, USA.
The two parties made an appointment at a coffee shop. When they met, Lin Zuhui behaved more enthusiastically, while Jim Clark behaved very calmly, as if he was richer than Lin Zuhui.
Even so, Jim Clark couldn't help but ask first: "Mr. Lin, why are you dating me?"
Lin Zuhui said seriously: "I hope to invest in Mr. Jim Clark. I know you have just left the company you created, so I believe you must have new development projects."
Jim Clark asked: "Does Mr. Lin know why I left the company I worked so hard to create?"
Lin Zuhui said: "I probably know a little bit, but it seems that I was squeezed out by investors."
Jim Clark showed a trace of unwillingness on his face, and then calmed down and said: "Yes, I founded SGI, but those investors and shareholders reduced my shares to 5%, although this is a large amount in the IPO.
.However, I left SGI with only $16 million."
Lin Zuhui said: "This is indeed a sad story, but the establishment of SGI itself was backed by venture capital. Of course, American venture capital will indeed make the founders pay a heavy price. This time we were established in Silicon Valley
A venture capital amount is as high as 200 million U.S. dollars, and our investment companies do not have too many rules and regulations."
Jim Clark immediately said: "Of course you won't have too many rules, because I don't think you can help startups too much, just financial help. I'm sorry, I am a bit straightforward, although Mr. Lin
He is the richest man in the world, but he has just entered this industry after all. You may not know that American venture capital can bring human resources and suggestions for development direction to startup companies."
KAO, he was actually despised.
Only then did Lin Zuhui understand why SoftBank initially invested in the United States with conditions that were so frightening that even the founder of Yahoo was stunned. That was because he was not an American and was not an investment tycoon.
However, Jim Clark obviously fell into a low point.
"Not necessarily. In fact, I am investing in you, Jim Clark. I even hope that if you start the browser industry, you will definitely shine in the United States."
Jim Clark was shocked because he was preparing to make a browser, but he didn't expect that Lin Zuhui coincided with his idea.
After a long while, Jim Clark said seriously: "Mr. Lin also knows browsers, but doesn't he know that there is a saying in Silicon Valley that 'it's impossible to make money on the Internet'? Is there any future in this industry?"
Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "I don't know the prospects very well, but I know that if someone succeeds, it can threaten Microsoft. Because in my opinion, the browser can also be a comprehensive network software suite. If you are not interested, it is just right
I am also an important investor in Microsoft and I will lobby Microsoft to do it."
Jim Clark was stunned. Lin Zuhui directly hit him seven inches. Regardless of whether Lin Zuhui succeeded in lobbying Microsoft, he did not dare to bet.
However, he soon wanted to take the initiative again and said: "I am not satisfied with Mr. Lin, I am indeed preparing for the development of the browser, but I am no longer a technical staff, but a manager, but I already have a very good
Good team candidate. If Mr. Lin really wants to invest, I need to discuss it with everyone and give you an answer."
Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Of course. We are very sincere, and we don't have much offensive power, and we are willing to give generous terms."
Jim Clark had no doubts and felt that Lin Zuhui was a good investor, so he said: "No problem! Mr. Lin is very forthcoming. I'm sorry that I misunderstood you at the beginning."
Lin Zuhui responded politely: "It doesn't matter, I happen to know what you have been through."
"Thanks"
After leaving with Jim Clark, Lin Zuhui said to Lu Bingwen beside him: "It seems that we must also establish strong personal relationships in Silicon Valley, and then we can provide human resources for the companies we invest in. Of course, the premise is that we must have a good American president.
.”
Lu Bingwen nodded and said, "I will look for him as soon as possible!"
Lin Zuhui shook his head and said: "This matter cannot be rushed. We don't have much reputation in Silicon Valley, so it is difficult to attract real phoenixes. But if the investment is successful this time, we will definitely be able to gain a little reputation. Of course, I am not talking about the reputation of investing and making money.
, but the effect of buying horse bones for a thousand dollars. Assuming that we invest in Jim Clark’s company under superior conditions, it will soon become famous in Silicon Valley; plus we have abundant funds, we will definitely attract many people to negotiate.
.”
Lu Bingwen said: "It turns out that it is not easy to do this, but it can only be done from the perspective of a boss. After all, as far as I know, there are many failed investments in Silicon Valley."
Lin Zuhui was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile: "Are you trying to persuade me, or are you praising me?"
It sounds like Lin Zuhui is being taken advantage of. I don’t know why venture capital is called venture capital. The success rate is very low.
Lu Bingwen said seriously: "I believe in the boss's vision."
Well, it seems that Lin Zuhui's legendary experience is indeed easy for people to trust blindly.
Los Angeles.
Lin Zuhui brought Lu Bingwen to Activision and was warmly welcomed by President Cowdick.
When Wanhui Media set its sights on Activision, Caudick had just purchased the bankrupt Activision for US$500,000. He was once a game fan of Activision and he firmly believed that he could revive Activision, not to mention that in
In his eyes, the Activision brand is worth US$50 million.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Faced with the sudden acquisition, Caudick strongly refused, but he did not even have 500,000 US dollars, so he roped in his old buddy Brian Kelly and a group of investors.
The investor must raise sufficient funds for the acquisition.
When Lin Zuhui offered the sky-high price of 3 million U.S. dollars, everyone switched sides except Cowdick.
However, Lin Zuhui was very sincere at the time, that is, he retained 30% of Cowdick's shares and appointed him to continue to serve as president.
Therefore, with Lin Zuhui's ability, everything is no longer a problem.
What Lin Zuhui was interested in was Caudik's ability. In fact, he made the right choice. In the past few years, Caudik cut off all of Activision's businesses that had nothing to do with video games and concentrated on developing video games. Activision was originally established in 1979
A game development company that owns the copyrights of many games.
At present, if Activision goes public, it will not be a problem to be worth US$40 million.
3 million U.S. dollars, and it appreciated by 28 million U.S. dollars in less than three years, which is really awesome.
However, there is still a problem for Lin Zuhui, that is, he plans to let Matrix Partners acquire Activision and Blizzard, which seems to be bleeding a lot.
"Mr. Lin, when you come this time, you must have agreed to go public, right?" Caudick said slightly excitedly.
In the second half of last year, he wanted to push the company to go public, but the major shareholders did not agree.
Lin Zuhui shook his head with a smile and said: "If Mr. Caudick wants to make a profit by going public, he might as well sell 30% of his shares to us. The price will surely satisfy you."
Caudick immediately hesitated, and then said: "For 8 million US dollars, I will sell you 20% of the shares, and I will still serve as the president of Activision."
Lin Zuhui said without hesitation: "No problem, you and President Lu can complete the deal later! But I am here this time because I have something important to discuss with you."
Caudick was very smart and immediately said: "Mr. Lin is planning to merge Blizzard Entertainment and Activision?"
Blizzard Entertainment has currently developed "Warcraft: Orcs and Men", which is not a particularly popular hit because there are traces of imitation, and the sales volume is only 600,000 units. However, the value has also increased a lot, and it is not worth 5 million US dollars.
questionable.
Lin Zuhui nodded and said, "Yes, but after the merger, Blizzard Entertainment will still operate independently."
Caudick agreed and said: "Mr. Lin's idea is very good, and I am also very optimistic about the Blizzard Entertainment team. After they acquired two studios, their research and development capabilities have greatly increased. I believe that subsequent versions of "Warcraft" will definitely be able to
People are pleasantly surprised.”
Lin Zuhui’s plan is to let Matrix Partners acquire the shares of the two companies from Wanhui Media, and then promote the merger. Activision will develop game development and publishing, while Blizzard Entertainment will focus on game development and then go public when the time is right.
After reaching an agreement with Caudik, there was no problem in merging the two companies.
Finally, Lin Zuhui said: "Whether it is Activision or Blizzard, we will not take away profits, but hope to continue investing in the development of new games and acquiring companies with potential."
Caudick nodded and said: "There is no problem with this. If I find an outstanding company, I will definitely acquire it. After all, I still have 10% of the shares. No, merging Blizzard Entertainment may dilute it a bit, right, Mr. Lin
?”
Lin Zuhui smiled and said: "Activision is valued at 40 million, and Blizzard Entertainment is valued at 5 million. What do you think?"
"I think it's fair!"
Everyone laughed.
Lin Zuhui entrusted the remaining transaction details to Lu Bingwen’s team, asking them to recruit investment manager-level talents in the United States while merging Activision Blizzard.
Including Netscape's investment, it is also a matter for Lu Bingwen's team.
As a result, Jingwei Capital has three investments:
Netscape Browser: Estimated investment of 8 million US dollars to obtain 10% of the shares (estimated 10 million shares, estimated value in 1998: 400 million)
Activision: 28 million US dollars, Wanhui Media only offers 20 million US dollars (70% equity)
Blizzard Entertainment: $5 million
41 million US dollars were spent at once, and the money was spent quite quickly.