My Age of Investment

  Chapter 243 Nicholas

  "Now that the prototype has been built, should I consider mass production of the Roadster in the next step?"

  Sitting in the office of the office building next to the Tesla factory, Xia Jingxing directly asked the two founders.

  Eberhard spread out his hands and said with a smile: "Of course, everything we are doing now is for the next mass production.

  However, before that, we still need to build a few more prototype cars to determine the optimal solution for mass production.

  The second and third prototype cars should not take too long.

   Mainly the first prototype car, it took us too much time to get familiar with various body structures and technical principles.

  At the same time, the team has just been formed and is still in the running-in phase.

  Now everything is okay, the next work efficiency will be much higher. "

  Xia Jingxing nodded, "Okay, just follow this procedure."

  Tapening inserted, “Darren, if we want to put into mass production next, we need a sum of money to start, and the company has to raise B round.”

"no problem."

  Xia Jingxing readily agreed, and said with a smile: "I promised before that as long as you make a prototype car, I will invest 10 million US dollars."

  Hearing this, Eberhard and Tarpening looked at each other, and they both saw the joy in each other's eyes. This benefactor is really good.

   "Darren, I heard that Facebook has launched a new video site called YouTube, which is very popular. Many young people spend several hours browsing and watching videos on it every day."

  Eberhard usually pays attention to Xia Jingxing's industry, especially for Facebook.

  Tesla and Facebook are somewhat tied up. The better Facebook develops, Tesla will have a steady stream of ammunition.

   Asking about YouTube at this time, I also want to know the latest development of Facebook.

  Tapenning also looked at Xia Jingxing and said with a smile: "I heard that some venture capital institutions have already given Facebook a valuation of 2 billion US dollars."

Seeing that both of them were so interested, Xia Jingxing selectively informed them of some situations.

  In addition to the core secrets, other things such as the number of users and the length of time users are online are briefly described.

  "Has the number of users of oil pipes reached 20 million?"

  After hearing this, Eberhard asked in surprise.

  Xia Jingxing nodded slightly. Some time ago, there were only more than 16 million users, but they used a series of network marketing events of Ronaldo and other celebrities to increase the number of users by more than three million in just over a week.

  However, the number of YouTube users has exceeded 20 million. They did not publicize it. Too much hatred and wretched development are the kingly way.

  Tapening suddenly said: “When Tesla is mass-produced in the future, can we use the oil pipeline platform to carry out some publicity?”

  Xia Jingxing smiled, “This is a very good idea. You can also find a few other sports cars to speed up together.

  Let the public know how electric sports cars get rid of these traditional fuel sports cars. "

  Tapening smiled. He felt that the influence of Facebook and YouTube is increasing day by day. Two websites with tens of millions of users can be regarded as two advertising gold mines.

  Although Darren has not yet allowed the two websites to open large-scale advertising, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that these two websites have infinite potential. Once they start to tap, they will release huge commercial value.

  He no longer doubts Darren's financial resources. As long as Facebook and YouTube continue to develop this momentum, Darren will invest tens of millions of dollars in Tesla.

   Eberhard suddenly said: "Daren, there is something, I have to let you know."

   "What's wrong?" Xia Jingxing asked.

  Eberhard said with a calm face: "Musk has also established an electric car company, whose name is also called Nicolas, and it is clear that he wants to compete with us."

  Xia Jingxing said "Oh", not too surprised, Musk has always been optimistic about the future of electric vehicles.

  When the negotiation was not going well, I once said that I would go it alone.

   is just the name of the car, which is a bit too much.

  The name of the Tesla car is taken from the surname of "Nikola Tesla", the inventor of the alternating current system.

   And Musk’s Nikolai is taken from the inventor’s name.

  Xia Jingxing said, you can take a "Faraday" for Musk, and you have to compete with Tesla.

  To say that there is no intention to target Tesla, he absolutely does not believe it.

  "When was their Nicholas founded? How is it developing?" Xia Jingxing asked.

  Eberhard introduced: "It was established not long ago. I have been following them. It is said that Musk has invested 10 million US dollars and is still building a team. I have not heard of what has been developed, which is far behind us."

  Speaking of this, Eberhard smiled, “Actually, I originally wanted to invite Musk to participate in Tesla’s B round of financing.

  But it’s a pity that he insists on making cars by himself.

  From last year to now, Tesla has been established for a whole year, and we have paid a lot of price to get to the prototype.

  And Musk is equivalent to starting from scratch, which is not small.

  As for recruiting engineers, there are not so many experienced people in the industry. People with certain technical experience are basically recruited to Tesla.

  Moreover, technology is not just about spending money, you can make a breakthrough all at once, it takes time. "

  Xia Jingxing frowned, "According to you, their research and development must be very difficult?"

"certainly."

  Eberhard said confidently, “As far as I guess, Nicolas didn’t even want to build a prototype car in less than a year.

  And when they build a prototype car, we may already be in mass production and sale.

   And when Nikola goes on sale in mass production, Tesla may have mass-produced several models, with balanced revenue, even making money, and going public. "

   Although Tarpenning agreed with his partner, he still reminded: “Don’t be too careless. Musk has US dollars. They can spend money, hire the best engineers, and buy the best experimental equipment.

  At present, we are only ahead of Nicholas temporarily, which is not a particularly big advantage. "

Xia Jingxing did not underestimate Musk. He felt that the two founders developed a prototype car after they developed a prototype car. He poured cold water on the two of them: "What if Musk spends a lot of money to dig our people? Have you ever considered this problem?"

  Eberhard shook his head, "There shouldn’t be anyone willing to go to the company that still works on the map. This has no future.

  People will compare!

  Nicholas is still in the process of going from zero to one. Whether he can reach "one" is still unknown. And Tesla has completed the "one".

   Obviously, Tesla is closer to success, and the equity and options we give are more valuable. "

  Xia Jingxing admits that Eberhard has some truth, but it does not mean that everyone will pay attention to long-term interests. Maybe someone is attracted by short-term interests and is abducted by Musk.

  Tesla is far from being a talented person. If a few technical backbones are really abducted, it will not only slow down its own R&D progress, but also become an "enemy."

  One decayed, and the distance between Nikola and Tesla narrowed.

  "I suggest that you quickly open the B round of financing, and then carry out a round of option incentives, and firmly tie Tesla's core technical backbone to the company's tank."

  Xia Jingxing looked at the two and continued: “This is what it should be. Everyone has built a prototype car, and it can be regarded as a small milestone. It deserves a reward, so that everyone feels that there is a bright future with the company.

  What do you think? "

   "Daren, of course I have no opinion."

  Eberhard smiled and said, “If all major shareholders are as generous as you, there won’t be so many job-hopping and technology losses.”

  Tapening said: “After the B round of financing, the option pool will be further compressed. If large-scale option incentives are carried out again, the option pool may not be enough in the future.”

  He shook his fingers and counted, “Next, there are mass production plans, sales plans, and more models to be launched.

  If employees successfully complete these tasks, it is impossible not to reward them.

  In this case, the option pool may not be enough. "

  Xia Jingxing nodded, “It’s okay. When that happens, I will persuade other shareholders to inject part of the equity into the option pool together and maintain a sufficient option pool to help Tesla better attract and retain talent.

  You can rest assured that I will not save these money. My vision is long enough. "

  The two smiled and nodded. The majority shareholder is so powerful, what else can he say, just do it.

Xia Jingxing is fully aware that an electric car company like Tesla is in a technology-intensive industry.

  For high-end technical talents, we must not be stingy, or they will dig their own graves.

  Of course, it is impossible to absolutely eliminate the loss of personnel.

  Because there are always companies that can offer higher prices, or give higher positions, a greater stage to display their talents.

  What they can do is to delay this phenomenon as much as possible, and first develop and grow.

  At present, it is still in its infancy stage and cannot withstand too much loss of technical backbone.

  (End of this chapter)