New Year's Day in 1996.

The 'Ninth City Internet Cafe' on the second floor of a building in Causeway Bay had a lot of reporters, and Lin Zuhui was standing behind a person who was surfing the Internet, and the scene was very lively, after all, Lin Zuhui rarely attends public events, especially those with media.

What is the reason why Lin Zuhui is willing to be patted by reporters?

It turned out that ICQ had been fully tested and officially landed in Xiangjiang today.

In 1993, a large number of police officers raided a company and took away a lot of computers as physical evidence, saying that they suspected the company of illegal activities. The next day, the police delivered all the computers to the door and returned them to the company.

It turned out that the company was actually doing a very cutting-edge Internet access service at that time, which was relatively early. Because the Internet was still very new at that time, the police did not understand it, and the laws of Hong Kong did not keep up, so it turned out to be a big oolong.

By 1995 (last year), the Internet in Hong Kong had become very popular, and the penetration rate was probably among the top five in the world.

ICQ software is a software company under Wanhui Media - Netflix's research success, is currently downloaded through Netscape, Yahoo platform, and registered in the United States, Xiangjiang at the same time Internet company, specializing in the operation and development of ICQ software.

The software itself is not too technical, and Netflix entered the inner stage in less than a year, and then slowly dragged on until today before it was officially released.

"Mr. Lin, what is ICQ?" A reporter asked.

Although Lin Zuhui is the richest man in the world, he is very willing to endorse technology products, so he is interested in participating in the release of the small ICQ software.

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 said with a smile: "I SEEK YOU, I mean you, it is an instant messaging software." We can take a look at its features! ”

He invited several reporters to come behind the computer, and the camera caught the computer.

"You see, it's such a software, after opening it, you can add strangers who are thousands of miles away as friends, and enter chat mode. Search for a screen name, account, or system recommendation. Look, now we've added a friend. Ou, the other side passed. ”

"Ask him, where is his friend?"

I saw that the programmer nervously typed English, yes, it is English, after all, the official language of Xiangjiang is English; Of course, the Chinese version of ICQ will be considered later.

"If you look closer, you can see the person on the other side talking back, he said that he is a friend of Xiangjiang and chatting with us at home!"

For a while, the reporters were surprised and praised.

Of course, some reporters 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 who call each other ICQ friends; Moreover, adding friends with strangers is equivalent to being able to confide in some things on the Internet. Even very chatty and then become real friends. This software also has several features. It can also be used for work, such as talking to distant customers in the office."

Terrific!

For a while, rave reviews again.

Lin Zuhui is also willing to do a free advertisement, of course, many of the reporters here are from their own companies.

At this time, Lin Zuhui was also very proud, ICQ can not only sell the US business at a high price, but also have his own company act as an agent for Xiangjiang's business.

The reason why he sold his business in the United States is because this thing cannot be monopolized in the United States, and the technical content is not high, and many countries will soon produce 'knockoffs', including the United States, which has good instant messaging software such as MSN and SkyPE.

In the final analysis, these software are all primary versions, and a lot of energy and money will be invested in the follow-up, and the risk of depreciation will be borne in the future, so Lin Zuhui can make a profit, so he will make a profit first.

THE YAHOO SELLING STORY IN THE PREVIOUS LIFE IS THE BEST LESSON, AT THE BEGINNING TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE NOT SOLD, AND IN THE END BILLIONS WERE SOLD.

Meanwhile.

As soon as the ICQ software in the United States was launched, the number of users grew rapidly, attracting the attention of Lin Zuhui's allies (Netscape, Yahoo, Amazon and other Internet companies).

Because Jingwei Capital bet on Netscape Browser, Yahoo and other Internet companies, as well as the purchase of Kingston, a company with great potential; Therefore, the world's richest man has become an investment tycoon and a technology tycoon in Silicon Valley.

At this time, Lin Zuhui was not even as famous as Bill Gates.

Lin Zuhui thinks this fame is very good, and it is not a bad thing, if his contribution to American science and technology is so large that the US government will almost never sanction him. Of course, his so-called contribution itself is the scientific and technological prospect of the United States, and he is just stepping in in advance.

And he also wants to give these technologies to the motherland, but the motherland is not mature now, and it is useless to give them; It's better to earn more Yankee wealth and improve your reputation at the same time!

made Yankee's money, and Yankees have to thank him, this is where NB comes in!

Following.

The media in Heung Kong has reported heavily on Netflix Software, a software company owned by Wanhui Media, for the development of a 'world-class' software, which has greatly boosted the morale of Heung Kong's technology industry.

Some media also reported that the achievements of Wanhui Media's game company, Ninth City, "Pokémon" and "Resident Evil" have both sold more than one million in Asia and began to land in the US market.

There are also media reports that the technology companies that Lin Zuhui has invested in in the past two years have achieved great results, as if the world's richest man has become a bigwig in the technology industry.

As far as the current situation is concerned, the richest man in the world in 1996 is still Lin Zuhui, and it is difficult for Bill Gates to surpass, because the market value of the New Era Group has risen to about 280 billion; The market value of Lin Zuhui's other three major group companies has also risen, with a total of about 100 billion Hong Kong dollars.

And Lin Zuhui controls a consortium of 380 billion yuan, accounting for 13.8% of the total market value of Xiangjiang, which is a little higher than the market value of HSBC and Hang Seng, which can't help but be admired.

Looking at the media reports, Lin Zuhui couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

It's unrealistic for him to be low-key now, rather than this, it's better to be high-profile and build himself into a 'tech boss'.

As for the problem of too much edge, it is not a big problem, the greater his fame, the safer it is, because the huge industry he controls, the huge number of workers, and the connections are all good shields.

"I don't want to think so much, there is no perfect thing in the world, and it is almost difficult to make money and keep a low profile. Unless my stinky boys grow up, I'm much less stressed. Lin Zuhui laughed at himself.

In early January, Lin Zuhui flew to California by private jet.

HIS FIRST STOP WAS NOT TO INSPECT ICQ, BUT TO YAHOO.

"Mr. Lin, 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 instigated by Lin Zuhui and his classmate David Ferro to create YAHOO, and even the name of the website was taken by Lin Zuhui.

Later, in the process of starting a business, Jingwei Capital gave great support and provided corporate human resources assistance and management assistance, which allowed several students to develop YAHOO rapidly.

Today, YAHOO has become a star of the American Internet, with more than 40 employees, which is far larger and more influential than the same period in its previous life.

"I'm not here to inspect the work, I'm here to learn from you!" Lin Zuhui said modestly.

After a polite discussion, everyone came to the sofa in the office and sat down, the office was not shabby, decent.

At that time, Lin Zuhui gave 5 million US dollars and got 20% of the equity, and Jingwei Capital was still a director of YAHOO. Generally speaking, the angel round of Internet startups is 100~2 million US dollars and 10% equity.

The reason why Lin Zuhui is so generous is that he doesn't want Yang Zhiyuan and others to see money in the future and easily accept Sun Zhengyi's investment. OF COURSE, LIN ZUHUI ALSO WELCOMES SON TO INVEST IN YAHOO, AFTER ALL, JAPAN HAS A MARKET SECOND ONLY TO THE UNITED STATES; YAHOO ACCEPTS SON'S INVESTMENT, THEN SON WILL TAKE YAHOO INTO JAPAN.

The reason is as simple as that, venture capital companies can not only support startups financially, but also support and help startups in all aspects.

Assuming that YAHOO only has Lin Zuhui as an investor, it may not be able to achieve the results of the previous life; And if Masayoshi Son is introduced, it means that Yahoo will be worth 120 billion by the end of the 90s.

And Lin Zuhui's 20% stake will have a value of $10 billion.

"Mr. Lin's ICQ software has a very high number of downloads in the past few days, and 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, the prospect is limited, it's not worth mentioning!" ”

Sun Zhiyuan asked curiously: "So what do you think of the Netscape browser that Mr. Lin invested in?" ”

Lin Zuhui said generously: "There is still no future for YAHOO, especially as soon as Microsoft's IE comes out, it is free to bind the Microsoft system, and Netscape is going to run into trouble!" ”

At this time, the senior Yahoo executives in the office include Yang Zhiyuan, David Ferro and President Tim Coogel, of which President Tim Coogel was recruited by Jingwei Capital for YAHOO.

AS FOR WHY LIN ZUHUI HAS SUCH AUTHORITY, HE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE POSITION OF YAHOO PRESIDENT AND MAKE THE FOUNDER GIVE UP THIS POSITION, BECAUSE HIS POSITIONING OF YAHOO IS VERY CLEAR - THE PORTAL, THE ENTRANCE TO INTERNET USERS, PROVIDING INFORMATION, GAMES, SEARCH, EMAIL AND OTHER SERVICES. Coupled with his influence and charisma, the founder was convinced of him.

Everyone must not sigh that Lin Zuhui has a deep understanding of the Internet and deserves to be the richest man in the world.

At this time, Yang Zhiyuan immediately said: "By the way, Japan's Softbank wants to invest in YAHOO, what is Mr. Lin's opinion?" ”

Lin Zuhui looked at Yang Zhiyuan and the others, and then said: "It can be seen that you know the advantage of joining forces with Japan's SoftBank, that is, you can smoothly enter the Japanese market!" ”

Yang Zhiyuan nodded honestly, in fact, he didn't ask Lin Zuhui, he could also decide whether to invest or not; But YAHOO has contributed a lot along the way, and there is also a board seat.

"YES, AFTER ALL, ENTERING THE JAPANESE MARKET IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YAHOO'S DEVELOPMENT."

Lin Zuhui said: "Then Japan's SoftBank must be very eager to invest, it is better for you to have a higher price, such as 100 million US dollars and 25% equity, I believe they will agree immediately." ”

In this life, YAHOO is more powerful than in the previous life, whether it is in terms of function, technology, or company size; So, it's a matter of course that you're more expensive.

HIS PROPOSAL WAS ACCEPTED AGAIN, AND LAM BELIEVES THIS IS YAHOO'S LAST FUNDRAISING.

Assuming that according to Lin Zuhui's opinion, there is still 15% of Jingwei Capital's diluted shares, and it is expected that there will be about 10% after the dilution of listing.

YAHOO WAS LISTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, AND IT HAD A MARKET VALUE OF LESS THAN $1 BILLION AT THE BEGINNING.

Lin Zuhui was very busy when he came to the United States, but fortunately he had a private jet, and he could fly to Los Angeles overnight at night and fly anywhere in the western United States the next day.

After spending the night with his family, Lin took a private jet in the morning to the Amazon in Seattle.

Thinking of this investment, Lin Zuhui is very happy, the future achievements of Amazon.com are trillion-dollar enterprises; Even if his 10% is diluted, it is worth tens of billions of dollars.

Moreover, he can also participate in the subsequent financing, because he and Bezos have become friends.

"Mr. Lin, sit!" Bezos entertained Lin Zuhui in a very ordinary office. He is really grateful to Lin Zuhui, because Lin Zuhui's planning for Amazon makes him full of confidence, and every day is like playing chicken blood, although the current development is not good.

After Lin Zuhui sat down, he said with a smile: "Investing in Amazon requires outside financing, you have to consider me first." Anyway, if Amazon wants to develop the Walmart of the Internet, it needs a lot of financing. At least before going public, it also needs a lot of financing, you say! ”

Bezos's attitude at this time has changed a lot from the beginning, and he said with a smile: "Of course, I will give priority to Jingwei Capital." However, for now, Amazon can still cope. ”

He himself is a venture capitalist, and he will not suffer in this regard.

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "In fact, Amazon is not developing fast enough, at least I know that there is one thing you haven't done yet, if you don't do it sooner, you will regret it in the future." ”

Bezoston was intrigued and said, "What's the matter? ”

Lin Zuhui said: "Internet online payment tools, if you do it now, in the future, not only can it be convenient for American Internet shopping customers, but also can master a good financial group, such as online banking."

While Musk is doing it too, if Amazon does it now, it will become the largest online payment in the United States.

Bezos's eyes lit up at first, then fell into deep thought, and finally said happily: "Mr. Lin, you are really a genius, and it is really my honor to be a partner with you." ”

At this time, he completely accepted Lin Zuhui, not only did Lin Zuhui's conditions be good, but he also did not need to worry about Lin Zuhui's interference in the Amazon, because this is the United States, and Lin Zuhui is from Xiangjiang.

So, such a rich and thoughtful partner, he is completely happy to take over, and it is safer than some American investors.

After Bezos agreed to enter the online payment facility, Lin Zuhui again offered to get another 10% stake for $5 million, and Bezos readily agreed.

First of all, this price is high enough, and secondly, Lin Zuhui is very familiar with this industry, and if he invests in a rival, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Lin Zuhui invested $5 million, also hoping to increase the value of Amazon, so that his shares would be more valuable, and there would be fewer investment rounds before listing, and his share dilution would be reduced.

Therefore, what seems to be a high valuation is actually a premeditated plan of venture capital.

In the previous life, those venture capital companies frantically lowered prices in angel rounds, and then raised prices crazily in the future, which is the reason.

(End of chapter)