Hong Kong's new giants

Chapter 534 [The First Battle of Jingwei Capital]

After the Spring Festival, Lin Zuhui came to the United States by private plane.

Silicon Valley.

Accompanied by Lu Bingwen, Lin Zuhui met Jim Clark, the former chairman of SGI in Silicon Valley.

Founded in 1982, Silicon Graphics (SGI) is a multinational company that produces high-performance computer systems, headquartered in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, California, USA.

The two parties made an appointment at a coffee shop. When they met, Lin Zuhui was more enthusiastic, while Jim Clark behaved very plainly, as if he was richer than Lin Zuhui.

Even so, Jim Clark couldn't help asking first: "Mr. Lin asked me out, what's the matter?"

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 a new development project."

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, it seems that I was squeezed out by investors."

Jim Clark showed a trace of unwillingness on his face, and then he 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 an IPO. .But I left SGI with only $1600 million."

Lin Zuhui said: "This is indeed a sad story, but the establishment of SGI itself is backed by venture capital. Of course, the venture capital in the United States will indeed make the founders pay a heavy price. This time we established in Silicon Valley A venture capital with an amount of up to 2 million U.S. dollars, our investment company will not have too many rules and regulations.”

Jim Clark immediately said: "Of course you don't have too many rules and regulations, because I don't think you can help startups too much, it's just financial help. I'm sorry, I'm a bit blunt, although Mr. Lin He is the richest man in the world, but he has just entered this industry after all, and you may not know that American venture capital can bring human resources and advice on development direction to start-up companies.”

KAO is actually despised.

Only then did Lin Zuhui understand why Softbank invested in the United States with frighteningly good conditions that surprised the founders of Yahoo. It was because he was not an American, nor was he an investment tycoon.

However, Jim Clark obviously underestimated Lin Zuhui.

"Not necessarily. In fact, I am investing in you, Jim Clark. I even hope that if you come to the browser industry, you will definitely shine in the United States."

Jim Clark was shocked, because he was preparing to make a browser, but Lin Zuhui unexpectedly coincided with his ideas.

After a long time, Jim Clark said seriously: "Mr. Lin also knows about browsers. Don't you know that there is a saying in Silicon Valley that 'it is impossible to make money on the Internet'. Does this industry have a future?"

Lin Zuhui smiled and said: "I don't know the prospect 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, just I'm also a big investor in Microsoft, and I'd lobby Microsoft to do it."

Jim Clark was stunned, and Lin Zuhui hit him seven inches directly. Regardless of whether Lin Zuhui's lobbying for Microsoft was successful or not, he dared not bet.

However, he soon wanted to take the initiative again, and said: "Dissatisfied with Mr. Lin, I am indeed preparing for the development of the browser, but I am no longer a technical person, but a manager, but I already have a very Good team candidate. If Mr. Lin really wants to invest, I need to discuss with everyone and give you an answer."

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Of course. We have a lot of sincerity, and we don't have too much offensive power, and we are willing to give very generous conditions."

Jim Clark had no doubts, and felt that Lin Zuhui was a good investor in his heart, so he said, "No problem! Mr. Lin is very straightforward. I'm sorry that I misunderstood you at the beginning."

Lin Zuhui responded politely: "It doesn't matter, I happen to know what you went through."

"Thank you"

After leaving with Jim Clark, Lin Zuhui said to Lu Bingwen next to him: "It seems that we must also establish a strong network of contacts 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 it as soon as possible!"

Lin Zuhui shook his head and said, "There's no rush for this matter. We don't have much reputation in Silicon Valley, so it's hard to attract real phoenixes. But if the investment is successful this time, we will definitely be able to gain some fame. Of course, I'm not talking about the fame of making money from investing. , but the effect of buying a horse bone with a thousand dollars. Assuming that we invest in Jim Clark's company with superior conditions, we will soon become famous in Silicon Valley; coupled with our strong capital, 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 the boss. After all, as far as I know, there are many failures in Silicon Valley."

Lin Zuhui was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "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 vision of the boss"

Well, it seems that Lin Zuhui's legendary experience is indeed very easy for people to trust blindly.

Los Angeles.

Lin Zuhui brought Lu Bingwen to Activision, and was warmly welcomed by the president Cordick.

At the beginning, when Wanhui Media fell in love with Activision, Cordick had just bought the bankrupt Activision for $50. He used to be a game fan of Activision, and he firmly believed that he could revive Activision, let alone in In his eyes, the Activision brand is worth 5000 million US dollars.

Facing the sudden acquisition, Cordick refused very much, but helplessly, he didn't even have $50, so he recruited his old buddy Brian Kelly and a group of investors to gather enough funds for the acquisition.

When Lin Zuhui offered a sky-high price of 300 million U.S. dollars, everyone turned against him, except Caudick.

However, Lin Zuhui was very sincere at the time, that is, to retain 30% of Cordick's shares and appoint him to continue as the president.

Therefore, with Lin Zuhui's financial ability, everything is no longer a problem.

What Lin Zuhui liked was Cordick's ability. In fact, he made the right choice. In the past few years, Cordick cut off all the businesses of Activision that had nothing to do with video games, and concentrated on the development of video games.Activision was originally a game development company established in 1979 and owns the copyrights of many games.

At present, if Activision goes public, the value of $4000 million is not a problem.

300 million U.S. dollars, the appreciation of 2800 million U.S. dollars in less than three years is really awesome.

However, there is also a problem for Lin Zuhui, that is, he plans to let Jingwei Capital acquire Activision and Blizzard, and it seems that he will bleed a lot.

"Mr. Lin, you must have agreed to go public this time, right?" Cordick said slightly excitedly.

In the second half of last year, he wanted to promote the listing of the company, but the major shareholders did not agree.

Lin Zuhui shook his head with a smile, and said, "If Mr. Cordick wants to make a profit from the listing, you might as well sell 30% of the shares to us. The price will definitely satisfy you."

Cordick hesitated immediately, and then said: "For 800 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 can complete the deal with President Lu later! But I am here this time because I have something important to discuss with you."

Cordick was very smart, and immediately said: "Mr. Lin is planning to merge Blizzard Entertainment and Activision?"

Blizzard Entertainment has already developed "Warcraft: Humans and Orcs", which is not particularly popular because there are traces of imitation, and the sales volume is only 60 sets.However, the value has also increased a lot, and it is no problem to be worth 500 million US dollars.

Lin Zuhui nodded and said, "That's right, but after the merger, Blizzard Entertainment will still operate independently."

Cordick agreed and said: "Mr. Lin's idea is very good, and I am also very optimistic about the Blizzard Entertainment team. After they acquired the two studios, their research and development capabilities have greatly increased. I believe that the subsequent version of "Warcraft" will definitely make people Surprise."

Lin Zuhui's plan is to let Jingwei Capital acquire the shares of the two companies from Wanhui Media, and then promote the merger.Activision develops game development and publishing, Blizzard Entertainment focuses on game development, and will go public when the time is right.

After the agreement with Cordick, the merger of the two companies was no longer a problem.

In the end, Lin Zuhui said: "Whether it is Activision or Blizzard, we will not take away the profits, but hope to continue to invest in the development of new games and acquire potential companies."

Cordick nodded and said, "That's no problem. If I find an outstanding company, I will definitely buy it. After all, I still have 10% of the shares. No, merging with Blizzard Entertainment may dilute it a bit, isn't it, Mr. Lin ?”

Lin Zuhui smiled and said, "Activision is valued at 4000 million, and Blizzard Entertainment is worth 500 million. What do you think?"

"I think it's fair!"

Everyone laughed.

For the remaining transaction details, Lin Zuhui entrusted Lu Bingwen's team to recruit investment managers in the United States while merging Activision Blizzard.

Including Netscape's investment is also a matter for Lu Bingwen's team.

In this way, Jingwei Capital has three investments:

网景浏览器：预计投资800万美金，获得10%的股份（预估1000万股，1998年预计值4亿）
Activision: 2800 million US dollars, Wanhui Media will only give 2000 million US dollars (70% equity)

Blizzard Entertainment: $500 million

4100 million US dollars was spent at once, and the money was spent quite quickly.

(End of this chapter)