San Jose, San Francisco, in a small three-story building.

"Sour Bichi Koster, we worked hard here, he went to Hawaii to enjoy the sun, sand and beautiful women."

It was Imran Sasa, an algorithm engineer of Indian origin who was upset that the company's current CEO, Scott Marconiri, was running off for a vacation.

"So we're going to fire him, and when we get the money, we'll change the professional team." August Bullock agrees, "Our company has only been around for a month, and it's not yet time to enjoy the beach and bikini beauties, and after the laymen have invested their money, we have to test the finished product and put it into production immediately." ”

This is also one of the team's engineers, with a round face, beard, piercing eyes, and a full black suit and red tie, who looks like a working material.

Both are currently lying in chairs, waiting for Dr. Andy Bertolsheim to bring investors over, and the table next to them is full of all kinds of old computer components, which is one of their achievements.

Boredom, Imran and August scold the CEO who is enjoying the holiday while guessing the identity of the investor.

"I heard he's a very rich bunch of stupid old hats on the rugby side."

"Yes, Dr. Andy said that this is a member of the school team, and there is nowhere to spend millions of dollars in his hand." Okeste looked distressed, "Why do we technicians always have no money, and those who have money are always idiots who don't understand anything?" ”

Imran was amused by his own thoughts, and when his colleague looked at him, he explained: "Because there are more idiots watching them play." ”

The two laughed helplessly, and the sound of brakes sounded, and they got up and walked to the window to check the situation.

"A sapphire blue Ford Mustang, not a good car, it seems that this person is in average financial situation."

After seeing the investor's model clearly, Imran commented casually.

August disagreed, "You underestimate the financial resources of the people engaged in the rugby industry, driving this kind of car, it means that they have just had money, and their taste has not yet been raised." It is normal for such people to have a large amount of cash lying on their bank account. Because there is no special person to help them manage their finances, they will deposit their salaries into their accounts when they get them, and buying a suite may be the limit of their imagination in terms of spending money. ”

Dr. Andy was walking to the second floor with the investor, and the two continued to talk in low voices.

"If he had invested today, I would have recognized him as the most intelligent rugby player, and if he hadn't, he would have been a fool with no vision."

"What about the couple who wanted to invest money before? What do they say? Imran asked.

August gestured six fingers with his two hands, "They are only willing to give this number, Dr. Andy thinks it is less, plus one of the directors recommended this person." ”

"What director? Is it reliable? ”

"The director of computer facilities at Stanford University, as well as a faculty member, worked with Dr. Andy on a project, but that project was ruined by the university." August told his colleagues what he knew, and then gave his opinion, "I think it's reliable, the group of people on the football varsity team are really rich, the members of the logistics team have an annual salary of more than 100,000 US dollars, and the head coach is seven or eight times this number." ”

The sound of footsteps was heard, and the two walked to the table and began to work, which could make a good impression on investors.

"This is our workshop, and at the moment, we have basic samples of our servers, and we are waiting to expand our team and go to the factory to test and put it into production."

Andy Bertolsheim, who was rather handsome, took Bill Ferrari, who was more handsome than him, into the second floor and introduced two colleagues who insisted on their work.

Bill was convinced of the team's professionalism, but a question came out of his mouth: "Didn't you say you're ready to start a business?" How did this get to this point? ”

He asked Dr. Andy, pointing to five or six workstations.

Originally, Bill's idea was very simple, to invest 100,000 yuan in this company during the angel round, so that they could make a finished product to participate in the exhibition, and then the investment could follow, and it didn't matter if the shares were diluted, the focus was to seize the opportunity of Bosak.

But the current situation is obviously not in line with the phone call, Dr. Andy's company has begun to take shape, and this investment seems to be two or three rounds.

"That's right, our CEO is super actionable, and in a month, he has helped us go through a lot of processes, and now we have a preliminary finished product, just waiting to get money to expand the team......"

He explained to the young benefactor.

"What about your CEO? How is it that you, the engineer, personally pull the investment? "Bill is going to get these things straight.

It's a bit unreasonable to have a company that has only been founded for a month, but the CEO can't see anyone.

"He's gone on vacation to Hawaii." Andy smiled awkwardly, "We can't take away his right to enjoy the sun and the sand." Let's take a look at the finished product first! ”

Hearing this, Imran pushed a thirty-inch square white box from the table for investors to see.

"I'm interested in this." Bill pretended to take a closer look at the ancient computer, he had seen a computer many times more sophisticated than this, so he naturally couldn't arouse his interest, but in order to maintain the character design, he still showed his acting skills appropriately.

"It seems that your results are very good, when is the company expected to be profitable? How much money are you going to accept for this financing? How many shares can you give? ”

Mr. Ferrari asked what was most important to him.

Andy felt that there was a joke, he pursed his lips, and there was a trace of excitement on his face, "That's right, our company is valued at more than four million, and we are ready to use about 18 percent of the shares to get about one million financing, which is enough to support the production of our workstation." We expect to be profitable within a year, and then we will decide whether to expand production based on market reaction. ”

The expansion of production naturally corresponds to the next round of financing, but this is a long way off and will not happen for at least a few months.

"While I'm interested in your finished product, I also need professionals to assess your market prospects." "A million dollars is not a small investment. ”

He definitely can't throw millions of dollars into this company, hundreds of thousands are already the limit.

Okest suddenly asked, "May I ask, what position do you hold on the varsity team?" Coach, or nutrition group? ”

The investor was so young that he couldn't believe it was from the varsity team.

"I'm a close end, an attacking player, and if you watch the game, you know I've played in both the Rose Bowl and the San Francisco derby.

Dr Andy added: "Yes, Mr. Ferrari is the number eighty-eight, quite a catch-and-shoot near end on the pitch. ”

Okest still had doubts, he was skeptical that a college athlete would have the financial resources to make the investment, but out of politeness, he resisted the urge to speak.

"Guess why I'm called Bill?" After choking on the man, Mr. Ferrari and Andy went downstairs.

When the footsteps of the two became quieter, Okoster said: "It doesn't have to be the meaning of banknotes, but the more commonly used means bills." I don't think he has any money in his pocket, so let's get Dr. Andy in touch with the couple later! ”

Imran didn't speak, and he didn't think college students had much money.

……

Here a week and a half later.

"Smile at the camera."

CEO Scott Marconelli, who finally made it back, took a picture of the three investors and all the company's engineers, and then one of the engineers replaced him and let him appear in the photo.

"Congratulations, Mr. Ferrari, you are our seventh largest shareholder." Dr. Andy shook Bill's hand vigorously.

After more than a week of negotiations, the financing was finally finalized, with the football players in front of them taking 6.5 percent of the shares for $300,000 and the Garcia couple getting 13 percent of the shares for $600,000.

"Happy cooperation, I look forward to the day when you make a profit."

At present, the computer manufacturing industry in the United States is in the stage of explosion, as long as it does not come to the fore, any company that can make products can survive.

After making the investment, Bill encouraged Dr. Andy and drove away, with regular training on the team.

Soon after, the Garcías also drove away, leaving the start-up company behind.

"Alright, guys, you've done a great job on my vacation, what are we going to do next? To design the finished product for testing? Marconieli asked.

"It's time for you to find someone more professional, the workstation side is not a problem." Dr. Andy finished his command and turned to the engineers, "We should ......"

"Should go to Hawaii and enjoy the beach." August has forgotten what he said a week ago, "This is our right to enjoy life." ”

PS: Ask for a recommendation ticket and ask for a monthly pass.

(End of chapter)