Many reporters came to the 'Ninth City Internet Cafe' on the second floor of a building in Causeway Bay, and Lin Zuhui was standing behind a person who was surfing the Internet. The scene was very lively. After all, Lin Zuhui rarely attended public events, especially those involving the media.
.
What makes Lin Zuhui willing to be patted by reporters?
It turns out that ICQ officially launched in Xiangjiang today after comprehensive internal testing.
The popularity of computers and the Internet in Xiangjiang was very early. An interesting incident happened in 1993. A large number of police came to search a company and took away many computers as physical evidence, saying they suspected that the company was engaged in illegal activities. The next day,
The police then delivered all the computers to the door and returned them to the company.
It turned out that that company was actually providing very cutting-edge Internet access services at the time, and it was relatively early to do so. Because the Internet was still a very new thing at that time, the police didn’t understand it, and Hong Kong’s laws hadn’t kept up. The result was that
A big oolong.
By 1995 (last year), the Internet in Xiangjiang had become very popular, and the penetration rate was probably ranked among the top five in the world.
ICQ software is a successful research project of Netflix, a software company under Wanhui Media. It is currently downloaded through Netscape and YAHOO platforms. It has also registered Internet companies in the United States and Hong Kong to specialize in operating and developing ICQ software.
The software itself is not very technical. It took Netflix less than a year to enter the internal stage, and then it was slowly delayed until today before it was officially released.
"Mr. Lin, what is ICQ?" a reporter asked.
Although Lin Zuhui is the world's richest man, he is very willing to endorse technology products, so he enthusiastically participated in the small ICQ software launch.
In this life, because of the arrival of Lin Zuhui, the scientific and technological atmosphere in Xiangjiang should be much better than in the previous life. After all, the idol halo is guiding everyone.
Lin Zuhui smiled and said: "I SEEK YOU, it is an instant messaging software. We can take a look at its functions!"
He invited several reporters to get behind the computer, and the camera captured the computer.
"You see, it is such a software. After opening it, you can add strangers thousands of miles away as friends and enter the chat mode. Search for network names, accounts, or system recommendations. Look, now we have added a friend
.Oh, the other party passed."
"Ask him where he is a friend?"
I saw the programmer nervously typing in English. Yes, it is English. After all, the official language in Hong Kong is English; of course, a Chinese version of ICQ will be considered later.
"If your camera is closer, you can see the person opposite talking back. He said he was a friend of Xiangjiang and was chatting with us at home!"
For a moment, the reporters were surprised and praised.
Of course, some reporters also asked: "What is the reason for chatting with strangers?"
Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "It doesn't have to be strangers. It can also be friends calling each other ICQ friends. Moreover, adding friends to strangers is equivalent to being able to express some concerns online. You can even chat well, and then become real friends."
Friends, this software also has several functions. It can also be used at work, such as talking to distant customers in the office.”
amazing!
For a time, it received rave reviews again.
Lin Zuhui is also willing to do a free advertisement. Of course, many reporters here are from his own company.
At this time, Lin Zuhui was also very proud. ICQ could not only sell the US business at a high price, but also let his company act as an agent for Xiangjiang's business.
The reason why he sold the U.S. business is because this thing cannot be monopolized in the United States, and the technical content is not high. Many countries will soon produce "copycat products", including the United States, which has good instant messaging software such as MSN and SkyPE.
After all, these softwares are all rudimentary versions, which require a lot of effort and money to be invested in the future, as well as the risk of depreciation. Therefore, if Lin Zuhui can make a profit, he must make a profit first.
The story of selling YAHOO in my previous life is the best lesson. I didn’t sell it for tens of billions at first, but sold it for billions in the end.
at the same time.
Once the ICQ software in the United States was launched, the number of users increased rapidly, attracting the attention of Lin Zuhui's allies (Netscape, YAHOO, Amazon and other Internet companies).
Because Matrix Partners has bet on Internet companies such as Netscape Browser and YAHOO, as well as buying Kingston, a company with great potential, the world's richest man has become an investment tycoon and technology tycoon in Silicon Valley.
At this time, Lin Zuhui was slightly less famous than even Bill Gates.
Lin Zuhui thinks this fame is very good and not a bad thing. If his contribution to American science and technology reaches a certain level, the U.S. government will almost never sanction him. Of course, his so-called contribution itself is the future of science and technology in the United States;
It's just a step in advance.
And he also wants to give these technologies to the motherland, but the conditions of the motherland are not mature now, so it is useless to give them to him; he might as well earn more wealth from Americans and improve his reputation for himself!
If you make money from a Yankee, the Yankees have to thank him. This is the NB thing!
The next day.
The media in Xiangjiang reported that Netflix Software, a software company owned by Wanhui Media, had developed a "world-class" software, which greatly boosted the morale of Xiangjiang's technology industry.
Some media also reported that The9, a game company owned by Wanhui Media, has achieved results. Both "Pokémon" and "Resident Evil" have sold over one million copies in Asia and have begun to enter the U.S. market.
There are also media reports that the technology companies invested by Lin Zuhui in the past two years have achieved great results, and it seems that the world's richest man has become a big boss in the technology industry.
As far as the current situation is concerned, in 1996, the world's richest man was still Lin Zuhui. It is difficult for Bill Gates to surpass him because the market value of New Era Group has risen to about 280 billion. The market value of Lam Zuhui's other three major group companies has also risen one after another, with a total of 100 billion.
Around Hong Kong dollars.
And Lam Cho-fai controls a 380 billion consortium, accounting for 13.8% of the total market value of Xiangjiang, which is higher than the market value of HSBC and Hang Seng, which is admirable.
Looking at the media reports, Lin Zuhui couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
It is unrealistic for him to keep a low profile now. Instead of doing this, he might as well keep a high profile and establish himself as a ‘tech giant’.
As for the problem of being too sharp, it is not a big problem. The greater his reputation, the safer he is, because he controls a huge industry, has a huge number of employees, and has great connections, etc., which makes him a good shield.
"I don't think about it so much anymore. Nothing in the world is perfect. It's almost difficult to make money and keep a low profile at the same time. Unless my brats grow up, my pressure will be much less." Lin Zuhui laughed at himself.
In early January, Lin Zuhui arrived in California, USA, by private plane.
His first stop was not to inspect ICQ, but to YAHOO Company.
"Mr. Lin, you are welcome to inspect the work!" Yang Zhiyuan said politely.
It can be seen from his eyes that he respects Lin Zuhui very much. The reason is very simple. He was inspired by Lin Zuhui to create YAHOO with his classmate David Filo. Even the name of the website was given by Lin Zuhui.
Later, in the process of starting a business, Jingwei Capital provided great support, providing corporate human resources assistance and management assistance, which allowed several students to quickly develop YAHOO.
Today, YAHOO has become a star of the American Internet, with more than 40 employees, far larger and more influential than at the same time in its previous life.
"I'm not here to inspect the work, but I'm here to learn from you!" Lin Zuhui said modestly.
After being polite, everyone came to the sofa in the office and sat down. The office was not shabby, but quite satisfactory.
At that time, Lin Zuhui gave 5 million US dollars and got 20% of the equity. Matrix Partners was still a director of YAHOO. Generally speaking, the angel round of Internet start-up companies is 1 to 2 million US dollars for 10% of the equity.
The reason why Lin Zuhui is so generous is that he does not want Yang Zhiyuan and others to be blinded by money and easily accept investment from Masayoshi Son. Of course, Lin Zuhui also welcomes Masayoshi Son to invest in YAHOO. After all, Japan has a market second only to the United States; YAHOO accepts
Masayoshi Son’s investment, then Masayoshi Son will lead YAHOO into Japan.
The reason is so simple. Venture capital companies not only support startup companies financially, but can also support and help startup companies in all aspects.
Assuming that YAHOO only has Lin Zuhui as an investor, it may not be able to achieve the results of its previous life; and if Masayoshi Son is introduced, it means that Yahoo will be worth 120 billion by the end of the 1990s.
And Lin Zuhui's 20% equity will still be worth 10 billion US dollars no matter what.
"The number of downloads of Mr. Lin's ICQ software has been very high these days. It seems that it will become a very good Internet company again." Sun Zhiyuan said with a smile.
Lin Zuhui waved his hand and said: "Small software has limited prospects and is not worth mentioning!"
Sun Zhiyuan asked curiously: "So, what do you think of the Netscape browser Mr. Lin invested in?"
Lin Zuhui said generously: "YAHOO still has no future, especially when Microsoft's IE comes out and is bundled with Microsoft systems for free, Netscape is going to be in trouble!"
At this time, the top Yahoo executives in the office included Jerry Yang, David Filo and President Tim Kugel. President Tim Kugel was recruited by Matrix Partners for YAHOO.
As for why Lin Zuhui has such authority and can interfere with the position of president of YAHOO and ask the founder to give up this position, it is because he has a very clear positioning of YAHOO - a portal website, an entrance for Internet users, providing information, games, search, mailbox and other services
.Coupled with his influence and charisma, the founder was convinced of him.
Everyone cannot help but lament that Lin Zuhui has a deep understanding of the Internet and is worthy of being the young richest man in the world.
At this time, Jerry Yang immediately said: "By the way, Japan's SoftBank hopes to invest in YAHOO. What is Mr. Lin's opinion?"
Lin Zuhui looked at Yang Zhiyuan and others, and then said: "It can be seen that you know the benefits of joining forces with Japan's SoftBank, that is, you can successfully enter the Japanese market!"
Jerry Yang nodded honestly. In fact, he could decide whether to invest or not without asking Lin Zuhui. But along the way, Matrix Partners has contributed a lot to YAHOO, and it also has a director seat.
"Yes, after all, entering the Japanese market will greatly benefit the development of YAHOO."
Lin Zuhui said: "Then Japan's SoftBank must be very eager to invest. Why don't you offer a higher price, such as 100 million US dollars for 25% of the equity? I believe they will agree immediately."
In this life, YAHOO is more powerful than in the previous life, whether it is functions, technology, or company size; therefore, it is natural that it is more expensive.
His proposal was accepted again, and Lin Zuhui believed that this was YAHOO's last financing.
Assuming that according to Lin Zuhui's opinion, Matrix Partners' shares after dilution will still be 15%, and after dilution after listing, it is expected to be about 10%.
YAHOO will be listed in the first half of this year, and its initial market value will be less than US$1 billion. At that time, other companies will be allowed to increase their holdings.
Lin Zuhui has been very busy since he came to the United States, but fortunately he has a private plane. He can fly to Los Angeles to stay overnight, and fly anywhere in the western United States the next day.
After spending a night with his family, Lin Zuhui took a private plane to Amazon in Seattle in the morning.
Thinking of this investment, Lin Zuhui was very happy. The future achievements of Amazon.com will be a trillion-dollar enterprise; even if his 10% is severely diluted, the value will still be tens of billions of dollars.
Moreover, he can also participate in subsequent financing because he and Bezos have become friends.
"Mr. Lin, sit down!" Bezos entertained Lin Zuhui in a very ordinary office. He was really grateful to Lin Zuhui, because Lin Zuhui's plan for Amazon gave him so much confidence that every day was like getting chicken blood. Although
The current development is not good.
After Lin Zuhui sat down, he said with a smile: "Buying a stake in Amazon requires external financing, so you have to consider me first. Anyway, if Amazon wants to develop an Internet-like Wal-Mart, it still needs a lot of financing. At least before it goes public, it also needs a lot of financing.
, what do you say!”
Bezos' attitude at this time has changed greatly from the beginning. He smiled and said: "Of course, I will give priority to Matrix Partners. However, Amazon can still cope with it at the moment."
He is a venture capitalist himself, so he will not suffer in this regard.
Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Actually, Amazon is not developing fast enough. At least I know there is one thing you haven't done yet. If you don't do it sooner, you will regret it in the future."
Bezos suddenly became more interested and said, "What's going on?"
Lin Zuhui said: "Internet online payment tools, if you make them now, will not only facilitate American Internet shopping customers in the future, but also control a good financial group, such as online banking."
Although Muska is also doing it, if Amazon does it now, it will become the largest online payment in the United States.
Bezos's eyes lit up at first, then he fell into deep thought, and finally said happily: "Mr. Lin, you are really a genius, and it is really an honor for me to be my partner."
At this time, he fully accepted Lin Zuhui. Not only did the conditions offered by Lin Zuhui be good, but he also did not need to worry about Lin Zuhui's interference in the Amazon, because this was the United States and Lin Zuhui was from Xiangjiang.
Therefore, for a partner with money and ideas, he is completely willing to take over, making it safer than some American investors.
After Bezos agreed to enter the online payment tool, Lin Zuhui once again proposed to obtain another 10% equity for US$5 million, and Bezos readily agreed.
First of all, the price is high enough, and secondly, Lin Zuhui is very familiar with this industry. If he invests in a rival, the consequences will be disastrous.
Lin Zuhui's investment of 5 million US dollars also hopes to increase the value of Amazon, so that his shares will be more valuable, and there will be fewer investment rounds before listing, and his share dilution will be reduced.
Therefore, what appears to be a high valuation is actually premeditated by venture capital investors.
In the previous life, those venture capital companies crazily lowered the price during the angel round, and later raised the price crazily. This is the reason.