Zhang Chen doesn't believe in any conspiracy theories, and if the Koch brothers were really so awesome, they would not have won only one percent of the vote in the presidential race a few years ago.

To say that the Koch brothers are really two wonders, the assets of the two together are close to Bill Gates. It stands to reason that this kind of super-rich person should have a very close and friendly relationship with the political circles, but these two people are really different.

Because of the problem of political opinions, the Democrats have repeatedly made a name for themselves on these two brothers, and even the Republican Party, which they occasionally support, has also not treated them favorably, because they are too right-right in some ideas, more right-right than the right-most Republicans, and not much different from anarchism.

The midterm congressional elections are just around the corner next year, and some key constituencies are now in full swing preparing and building momentum. At this stage, Koch Industries appeared very well in the media, and both parties used the attack on Koch Industries as a means to win votes, so that Zhang Chen did not have a good impression of these two super-rich people.

Thinking about it, not to mention political opinions, opposing environmental protection, opposing the minimum guarantee for the poor, and opposing the minimum wage, their various public statements show that these are two outright black-hearted capitalists.

Now that it has been said, Moretz no longer conceals it: "This money was invested by the Koch brothers in their private names to Sequoia, and the two of them each contributed half, and there were only two requests, first, to keep it secret, and if it was not necessary, it could not be revealed to you." Originally, this is not difficult, neither Koch nor Sequoia are listed companies and have no obligation to disclose. But since you have already started to ask, I can only tell you the truth, and secondly, I want to ask that the money can only be invested in Matrix, and if Matrix does not accept it, it can be invested in another company designated by them. ”

Zhang Chen's eyes froze, "How many others did they designate?"

Moretz spread his hands: "It's only Matrix right now, David Koch said that he will inform him when he has other ideas." ”

Zhang Chen nodded thoughtfully, no wonder Moretz swallowed his anger so much this time, if this money is not invested, Sequoia will not be able to get a commission, a single investment of 350 million US dollars, Sequoia can collect commissions softly, how can it not be in a hurry.

"Then why did they invest in Matrix?" asked Zhang Chen, who was his biggest concern.

Moretz sighed: "I don't know, the intermediary said that the Koch brothers don't confide their true thoughts." Frankly speaking, Goldman Sachs was also brought in by the Koch brothers this time, and I don't know what deals they have behind them. But it doesn't matter, even if you give up 20% of the shares, your side will still have an absolute controlling interest of 80%, and even if they have other intentions, they will not succeed. ”

Zhang Chen pondered for a long time, if Sequoia dared to take this money, he would also dare to take it. But the crux of the matter is, what exactly are the Koch brothers going to do?

If he can't figure out this problem, Zhang Chen would rather find an investor again. Now that Matrix is in full swing, there will definitely be another wave of panic buying after the release of iBook, and there will be more big capital waving the checkbook to squeeze into this capital feast, which may not be worse than the conditions offered by the Koch brothers.

But as long as it's human, there's curiosity, isn't it strange that these two "behind the scenes" that the common people know have become interested in Matrix?

That's 350 million dollars.

$350 million is not a small amount of money for anyone, and even though the Koch brothers are super-rich, it is strange to think that they have spent more than 300 million dollars to invest in a computer company.

For example, if Mobil suddenly invests hundreds of millions of dollars in Intel, the market will definitely think that Mobil is crazy.

Any investment behavior has an internal logic.

Just like the reason why Sequoia voted for Google in the previous life was because it voted for Yahoo before, Google can at least be used as a supplement to Yahoo and help Yahoo;

The reason for investing in Yahoo is that Sequoia has invested in Cisco and 3com before, believing that Cisco and 3com are network equipment, and after the network is popularized, Yahoo will definitely succeed;

The investment in Cisco and 3com is because they have previously invested in Apple and Atari, and the popularization of personal computers will inevitably bring about the development of the Internet;

The investment in Apple and Atari is because the founder of Sequoia, Don Valentine, was born in Fairchild Semiconductor.

Fairchild Semiconductor, on the other hand, is the beginning of Silicon Valley.

As the saying goes, there is no love for no reason, there is no hate for no reason, and similarly, there is no investment for no reason.

In the face of Zhang Chen's question, Moretz really couldn't give a convincing explanation. Even Moretz himself had a hard time believing that the Koch brothers had invested in Matrix because they thought it would be able to make a huge profit.

No one in the industry can be 100% sure, let alone these two laymen.

Zhang Chen pondered for a long time and said slowly: "I'm sorry, Michael, since that's the case, I can't accept this investment." ”

Michael Moretz was about to speak, when Zhang Chen made an interrupting gesture: "Michael, don't get me wrong, I'm not worried about the reputation of the Koch brothers. In fact, there is no distinction between good and evil, and anyone's money is money, and I am not naïve enough to use politically correct thinking to do business. However, I am very unhappy with the Koch brothers' approach of hiding their heads and tails. ”

"Matrix is now going to raise funds, not only money, but also channels and help, and I hope that my investors can give 100% of their strength to help Matrix develop. But what is the value to me that the Koch brothers have made up their minds to stay behind the scenes?"

"I need my investors to help me find better suppliers, I need my investors to find better talents for Matrix, I also hope that my investors can help Matrix in terms of capital operation and acquisition, and I hope that my investors can trust me unconditionally and not have some random ideas. ”

"And none of this the Koch brothers can do. First, the industry distance between us is too far and the complementarity is not strong, and second, since they have no way to stand in front of the stage, they have lost more than half of their competitiveness. ”

"What's more, I also have to take into account the public opinion and moral pressure I will face if one day the fact that they are Matrix investors is exposed. Zhang Chen spread his hands, "No matter how you calculate it, this is all a loss-making transaction, sorry, I can't agree." ”

Moretz let out a long sigh, and sure enough.

"Well, I'll first convey your meaning to them through an intermediary. "At the same time, Sequoia will continue to look for more suitable investors." The other day, Ed Woolrad approached me and asked me about the possibility of Apple and Morgan buying Matrix. At the same time, he also has a great personal interest in investing in Matrix, would you like to accept his investment?"

Zhang Chen laughed: "Apple wants to buy Matrix? ”

Moretz touched his nose, "Although Apple is in a bad situation now, after receiving Microsoft's capital injection, its financing ability is much stronger, and if they just want to control, they should be able to come up with a satisfactory amount." ”

Zhang Chen laughed: "Michael, when we meet today, I originally wanted to tell you something. ”

Moretz's eyes condensed slightly: "What's the matter?"

Zhang Chen stared at Moretz: "You help me ask Ed if he accepts Matrix's acquisition, and if so, Matrix is willing to buy Apple in the form of stock and cash." ”

The second more at night

(End of chapter)