Looking back on 2009

Chapter 332 Confrontation at the Negotiating Table

According to the trajectory of the previous life, the direct B-round financing was in September of 13.

During this one-year period, it was not easy to be directly supported by the $100 million in the A round.

Now, because of Chen Zhihe's intervention, the situation has improved.

However, that doesn't mean Byte doesn't need money.

Without money, there are ways to live without money, but there is no other way but to hold on.

But there is no way to live a poor life. Who wants to live a poor life if they are rich.

Suffering itself has no meaning. Some people boast about suffering, but they are just giving people placebos.

What's more, the company is not a human being, suffering will only make it develop slowly, and the so-called benefits are almost nonexistent.

Whether Byte is excellent or not, Zhang Yiming and Liu Chengan actually have no confidence.

After all, the bytes at the moment are not outstanding.

Although Toutiao.com has indeed developed rapidly, as Tang Wan said, there are many problems.

In essence, it is still a traditional news station, but because of its algorithm, it increases user stickiness.

Tang Wan asked them to tell themselves that they were actually beating drums in their hearts.

If you talk less, you will suffer; if you talk too much, you will be afraid that people will run away.

After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Yiming spoke first: "Since Mr. Tang is sitting here, it shows that we are not useless. For me, thank you very much for your favor on Byte."

"At present, our development speed is actually not slow. We understand the problems you mentioned, and now we have thought of a solution."

"It's just that, limited to our current financial problems, many solutions are still on paper for the time being."

"I believe that once new funds are injected, our development will definitely be on the fast track. After all, we are actually different from other websites, and it has its own unique advantages."

He talked a lot in eloquence, but Zhang Yiyi didn't say anything.

What he wants to express is very simple: We are short of money and hope to have money. After we have money, we will develop very quickly.

This has nothing to do with the answer Tang Wan said she was looking forward to. What she wants is an answer about how Byte views herself and how much she values ​​herself.

Even so, Tang Wan just smiled and said, "I believe what Mr. Zhang said, but you have your own advantages. So, what is your position?"

Zhang Yiyi looked at Liu Chengan, and Liu Chengan said: "We are currently committed to integrating various consultations on the Internet for users, recording and tracking user preferences through our algorithm technology, and selecting users from massive amounts of information and data. Information of interest."

"In this regard, our current development has verified that this model is feasible and successful."

"In the next step, we will launch our own content output mechanism. As long as we are registered users, everyone can become a creator."

"In addition, we will build our self-media ecosystem, and reward creators according to traffic, so that they can create more professionally and attentively. In this way, Toutiao Webcast will become the next self-media platform."

Chen Zhihe smiled knowingly, it seems that Toutiao.com is still following the established route.

In the previous life, they launched this function much later, Chen Zhihe guessed that they were really too poor.

Although Liu Chengan's answer was also not what Tang Wan wanted, but his words moved her.

The self-media platform is different from the current Toutiao.com.

When talking about self-media platforms, she subconsciously thought of Weibo.

If Byte's idea can really succeed, it will undoubtedly have a bright future.

However, after thinking about it, all of this was just talk on paper, and Tang Wan didn't take it too seriously.

You have a great future, I believe, but I just don't agree, otherwise how can you lower the price and how can your investment generate returns?
With a smile, Tang Wan was noncommittal and said, "The idea is good, but these are just plans. Who knows if it will work?"

"I don't want to be a secret anymore. I am indeed a little interested and have done research on you."

"You also know that our investment company has seen too many start-up companies. A company, after a general understanding, can give an approximate valuation."

"I want to know your judgment on your own value, and then see if there is a big difference between us. If the difference is not big, we have a basis for talking; if the difference is too big, then I can only express regret .”

In fact, Tang Wan could come by herself, but why did she insist on dragging Chen Zhihe along?
The main purpose of her is to make Zhang Yiming and Liu Cheng'an feel that she came here for Chen Zhihe's face, not that she is really optimistic about Byte.

In business talk business, Tang Wan didn't think there was anything wrong with doing so.

Just like her last sentence, it was an obvious threat and beating, telling Zhang Yiyi and Liu Chengan directly that she would not vote if the price was too high.

Zhang Yiming and Liu Chengan felt a little uncomfortable.

The money is right in front of us, and Byte is indeed short of money, but the money is not easy to get.

Previously, they had been avoiding the issue of valuation because they just wanted a good price. When Tang Wan said this, it was obvious that she was telling them to take it easy.

Seeing the embarrassment of the two, Chen Zhihe interjected: "I don't know how much Mr. Tang wants?"

Zhang Yiming and Liu Chengan came to their senses when they heard this.

At the beginning of this conversation, Tang Wan didn't lead by the nose. They even forgot to ask this, and they were really stunned by each other.

Seeing that both of them were looking at him, Tang Wan was not annoyed by Chen Zhihe's sudden remarks. He was originally a shareholder of Byte and had the right to speak.

Smiling, Tang Wan said, "How much I want depends on how much you want. This deal can only be concluded if we can satisfy each other's needs, right?"

After realizing it, Zhang Yi asked back: "Mr. Tang's words are reasonable, so we also want to know how much Mr. Tang wants, so that we can evaluate whether we can afford it."

Tang Wan didn't bother to go around anymore, raised her hand in a "five" gesture, and said: "A few months ago, 300 million US dollars can take away 10% of yours. I will offer 500 million. The price is not low, right?"

To Chen Zhihe's surprise, Zhang Yiming and Liu Cheng'an hesitated at this price.

It seems that these two people are really poor.

Chen Zhihe was a little speechless, if this is the case, he might as well make his own investment, and it doesn't matter if the price is high.

"Are you short of money now?" Chen Zhihe had to remind the two of them.

Zhang Yiming looked at Chen Zhihe and said, "For the time being, there is no shortage."

Chen Zhihe spread his hands and said, "That's it, then why do you need 500 million US dollars?"

Tang Wan glanced at Chen Zhihe and said nothing. The price cannot be said to be low, but it is definitely not high either.

The previous US$300 million was the price before Toutiao’s products came out. Now that Toutiao.com is running well and has a good momentum of development, US$500 million is not too high.

……

(End of this chapter)