Viggs took a sip of coffee, sighed, and said depressedly: "Our software has been almost developed at present, and there are only a few of us developers, so the development cost does not need to be too much." But if you want to promote it, we calculated that you need at least $300,000 in promotion and operating expenses. We also found a lot of investment companies in Israel, but none of them were willing to invest in us, so they came to the United States to try their luck, but now it seems, hehe. Viggs smiled bitterly, and then said: "If we can't find an investor, we will go online directly, and then it will be up to God's will." ”

Zhang Chen stroked his chin and looked at Viggs, and suddenly said, "If I invest $300,000 in you, how many shares can you give me?"

Viggs and Goldfinger were startled, thinking they hadn't heard clearly, "Y-What did you say?"

Zhang Chen repeated again: "I mean, I'm very interested in the software you are talking about, if I invest $300,000 in you, how many shares can you give me?"

Viggs and Goldfinger were going crazy, when they were desperate, they somehow met a person who was willing to help them, and this person also said that he was willing to invest 300,000 US dollars in ICQ, and he was a Chinese teenager!

Viggs stammered, "You mean you're going to invest $300,000 in us?"

Zhang Chen nodded calmly: "Yes, I have a sum of money in my hand recently, and I am looking for investment channels." And I'm interested in the internet, so if your software is good enough, I think you can give it a try. ”

Viggs and Goldfinger looked at each other, and felt that the other party did not need to lie to themselves. The two discussed in a whisper, and said to Zhang Chen: "If you are willing to invest $300,000 in us, according to the bottom line agreed by the three of us, you can give out 20% of the shares." ”

Zhang Chen shook his head: "20% is not good, your software has a very fatal problem, that is, there is no clear profit model." In other words, the question of what to use to make a profit. Therefore, my investment is very risky, and 20% is not acceptable. ”

This question goes straight to the heart of ICQ, and Viggs explains: "If our user base is large enough, we can monetize through advertising. ”

Zhang Chen still shook his head, "On instant messaging software, user experience is very important, and excessive advertising will make the client bloated and the user experience worse." And, if there are competitors who don't have ads, they will lose users. So what you just said is too unrealistic. ”

Viggs and Goldfinger were in their hearts, they didn't expect each other's eyes to be so keen, and they saw the biggest hidden danger of ICQ at a glance, and their hearts couldn't help but sink.

"How many shares are you going to have, sir?" asked Goldfinger in a deep voice.

Zhang Chen took a sip of coffee, "For 400,000 US dollars, I will give you 400,000 yuan, but I hope to have at least 40% of the shares." ”

Viggs jumped up all of a sudden, "This can't be, it means that you will become the largest shareholder, and we will lose the control of the whole project!"

Zhang Chen waved his hand and motioned for Viggs to calm down, "You will not lose the leadership of the project, I can entrust the shares to the three of you, and promise not to interfere in any of your decisions and the process of the project." Of course, for the sake of the safety of my funds, I need you to report to me on the use of my funds every month. ”

Viggs and Goldfinger were silent for a long time, "Sir, we need to think about it. You know, we also have a brother, and major decisions need to be agreed by the three of us. ”

Zhang Chen shrugged his shoulders and said with a relaxed face: "No problem, in this way, I will give you two thousand dollars first, which should be enough for your accommodation today and the return ticket to Tel Aviv." ”

Zhang Chen counted out $2,000 from his wallet, then asked the waiter for paper and a pen, and wrote down his phone number. He also asked Viggs and Goldfinger for their addresses and contact information in Tel Aviv.

Handing Viggs a piece of paper with the phone number and contact information, Zhang Chen said: "This is my contact information, and I will be in California for the next two months." You can go back and discuss, and if you agree to my terms, the $400,000 will be credited to your account at any time. ”

Viggs and Goldfinger took the money and Zhang Chen's contact information in a daze, and looked at the two Jewish youths who were at a loss. Zhang Chen sneered: "You should think so, if you succeed, this $400,000 is a necessary booster for you." What you will gain in the future is far greater than the shares you have lost now. And if you fail, with my $400,000, at least you won't lose everything. ”

Zhang Chen stood up, patted the two on the shoulder, and returned to the hotel room.

Viggs and Goldfinger looked at Zhang Chen, who disappeared into the elevator hall, and fell into a long silence.

Suddenly, Viggs looked up and said, "I agree with this Chinese's plan." ”

Goldfinger was startled when he saw Viggs's red eyes, "Are you crazy? Do you believe that a kid of his age can really come up with $400,000? Even if he can really take it out, it may be black money." You must know that Chinese gangsters in the United States are very rampant. ”

Viggs said coldly: "Do we have any other choice? These days, we have found so many investors, and they don't believe us." But I believe that our ICQ will be successful, and all that is needed is investment. No matter where this Chinese money comes from, as long as we have this money, through our promotion, I believe we can become the next Yahoo! Goldfinger, even if everyone has only 20% of the shares, we will all be billionaires!"

Goldfinger was silent for a moment, "Well, since you say so, let's go back and ask Wady's opinion, and if he agrees, I have no opinion." ”

Viggs rubbed his face: "OK, then it's decided, we'll book a ticket back to Tel Aviv now." ”

Zhang Chen returned to the room, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in his heart.

ICQ, this is the first time he has really come into contact with the Internet products of his previous life since he was reborn.

Even in 2000, ICQ was much more than QQ Niu. It was only the collapse of the Internet in 2000 that greatly reduced AOL's investment in ICQ, and AOL's large enterprises were sick and difficult to return, which caused the decline of ICQ later.

Of course, Zhang Chen has already made a plan, even if he succeeds in ICQ, he will get rid of it before 2000, because the cultural habits of Western countries make it difficult for instant messaging software to grow into a hegemon like QQ on the PC side.

And there is an MSN in the back, and the ability of the Viggs founding team to cope with this level of competition is still too tender.

In addition to the lottery tickets to be redeemed on the 27th, in order to prevent accidents, you must complete your set plan as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Zhang Chen tossed and turned even more, and didn't fall asleep until two o'clock in the middle of the night.