Hong Kong's new giants

Chapter 585 [The Birth of ICQ]

New Year's Day in 1996.

The 'Ninth City Internet Cafe' on the second floor of a building in Causeway Bay, many reporters came, and Lin Zuhui stood behind a person who was surfing the Internet. The scene was very lively. After all, Lin Zuhui seldom attended public events, especially those involving the media .

What made Lin Zuhui willing to be patted by reporters?
It turns out that ICQ has officially landed in Xiangjiang today after a comprehensive internal test.

Xiangjiang's computer and Internet penetration rate is very early. An interesting incident happened in 1993. A large number of policemen raided a company and took away many computers as physical evidence, saying that they suspected that the company was engaged in illegal activities.On the second 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 very cutting-edge Internet access services at that time, and it was relatively early.Because the Internet was still a new thing at that time, the police didn't understand it, and Hong Kong's laws didn't keep up with it, so it turned out to be a big oolong.

By 1995 (last year), Xiangjiang's Internet was already very popular, and its penetration rate probably ranked among the top five in the world.

ICQ software is the successful research of Netflix, a software company under Wanhui Media. At present, it is downloaded through Netscape and YAHOO platforms, and it has registered Internet companies in the United States and Hong Kong at the same time, specializing in the operation and development of ICQ software.

The software itself is not too technical. It took Netflix less than a year to enter the inner stage, and then dragged it slowly until today to officially release it.

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

Although Lin Zuhui is the richest man in the world, he is very willing to speak for technology products, so he participated enthusiastically when the small ICQ software was released.

In this life, because of the arrival of Lin Zuhui, Xiangjiang's technological atmosphere should be much better than in the previous life. After all, the aura of idols guides everyone.

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "I SEEK YOU, I mean you, it is an instant messaging software. Let's take a look at its functions!"

He invited several reporters to get behind the computer, and the camera captured the computer.

"Look, this is such a software. After you open it, you can add strangers who are thousands of miles away as friends and enter the chat mode. Search for screen names, account numbers, or system recommendations. Look, now we have added a friend Oh, the other party has passed."

"Ask him, where are your friends?"

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

"Come closer, you can see the person on the other side talking back. He said 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 also asked: "What is the reason for chatting with strangers?"

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "It doesn't have to be strangers, friends can also call each other ICQ friends; moreover, adding friends with strangers is equivalent to being able to confide some thoughts on the Internet. You can even chat very well, and then become real friends. Friends. This software has several functions. It can also be used for work, such as talking with distant customers in the office”

amazing!
For a while, it received rave reviews again.

Lin Zuhui is also willing to do a free advertisement. Of course, many of the reporters here belong to his own company.

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

The reason why he sold the US business is because this thing cannot be monopolized in the US, and the technical content is not high. Many countries will soon produce "knockoffs", including the US, 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 also be borne. Therefore, if Lin Zuhui can make a fortune, he will make a fortune first.

The record of YAHOO selling one's life in the previous life is the best lesson. At the beginning, it was not sold for tens of billions, but in the end it was sold for billions.

at the same time.

Once the ICQ software in the United States was launched, the number of users increased rapidly, which attracted the attention of Lin Zuhui's allies (Internet companies such as Netscape, YAHOO, and Amazon).

Because Jingwei Capital has bet on Internet companies such as Netscape Browser and YAHOO, and bought Kingston, a company with great potential; therefore, the richest man in the world has become an investment and technology leader in Silicon Valley.

At this time, Lin Zuhui was even slightly less famous than Bill Gates.

Lin Zuhui thinks this fame is very good, not a bad thing. If he contributes to a certain level of technology in the United States, the US government will almost never be able to sanction him.Of course, his so-called contribution itself is the technological prospect of the United States, and he just stepped in in advance.

And he also wants to hand over these technologies to the motherland, but the conditions of the motherland are immature now, and it is useless to give them; it is better to earn more wealth from Yankees and improve his reputation for himself!
After earning Yankee's money, Yankee has to thank him, this is where NB is!

The next day.

The Hong Kong media reported that the software company under Manfai Media, Netflix Software, had developed a "world-class" software, which greatly boosted the morale of Hong Kong's technology industry.

Some media also reported that the game company of Wanhui Media - The Ninth City has achieved results. Both "Pokémon" and "Resident Evil" have sold more than one million in Asia and have begun to land in the US market.

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

As far as the current situation is concerned, Lin Zuhui was still the richest man in the world in 1996, and it is difficult for Bill Gates to surpass him, because the market value of New Times Group has risen to about 2800 billion; the market value of Lin Zuhui's other three major group companies has also risen one after another, with a total of 1000 billion Hong Kong dollars or so.

And Lin Zuhui controls a 3800 billion consortium, accounting for 13.8% of Xiangjiang's total market value, which is higher than the market value of HSBC and Hang Seng, which is admirable.

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

It is unrealistic for him to want to keep a low profile now. Instead of doing this, it is better to be high-profile and make himself a 'technical boss'.

As for the issue of being too sharp, it's not a big problem. The more famous he is, the safer he is, because the huge industry he controls, the huge number of employees, and his connections are all good shields.

"I don't think so much. There is no perfect thing in the world. It is almost difficult to make money and keep a low profile. Unless my brats grow up, my pressure will be much less." Lin Zuhui laughed at himself.

In early January, Lin Zuhui took a private plane to California, USA.

His first stop was not to inspect ICQ, but to YAHOO.

"Mr. Lin, welcome to inspect the work!" Yang Zhiyuan said politely.

From the look in his eyes, it can be seen that he respects Lin Zuhui very much. The reason is very simple. At the instigation of Lin Zuhui, he created YAHOO with his classmate David Ferro. Lin Zuhui even chose the name of the website.

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

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

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

After being polite, everyone came to the sofa in the office and sat down. The office is not shabby, but quite satisfactory.

At that time, Lin Zuhui gave 500 million US dollars and got 20% of the shares. Jingwei Capital was also a director of YAHOO.Generally speaking, the angel rounds of Internet start-up companies are 100% equity of 200 to 10 million US dollars.

The reason why Lin Zuhui is so generous is that he does not want Yang Zhiyuan and others to accept Sun Zhengyi's investment easily in the future.Of course, Lin Zuhui also welcomes Sun Zhengyi to invest in YAHOO. After all, Japan has a market second only to the United States; if YAHOO accepts Sun Zhengyi's investment, Sun Zhengyi will bring YAHOO into Japan.

The reason is so simple. Venture capital companies not only support start-up companies financially, but also support and help start-up companies in all aspects.

Assuming that Yahoo has only Lin Zuhui as an investor, it may not be able to achieve the achievements of the previous life; and if Sun Zhengyi is introduced, it means that Yahoo will be worth 90 billion in the late 1200s.

And Lin Zuhui's 20% equity will be worth 100 billion US dollars no matter what.

"Mr. Lin's ICQ software has a very high number of downloads these 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 has limited prospects, so it's not worth mentioning!"

Sun Zhiyuan asked curiously again: "Then what do you think of the Netscape browser invested by Mr. Lin?"

Lin Zuhui said generously: "YAHOO still doesn't have a bright future, especially once Microsoft's IE is released, it will be bound to Microsoft's system for free, and Netscape will be in trouble!"

At this time, the Yahoo executives in the office included Jerry Yang, David Filo, and the president Tim Kugel, and the president Tim Kugel 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 let the founder give up this position, because he has a very clear positioning of YAHOO - a portal website, the entrance of Internet users, providing information, games, search, email and other services .Coupled with his influence and charisma, the founders are convinced of him.

Everyone can't help but sigh that Lin Zuhui has a deep understanding of the Internet, and he deserves to be the young 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 others, and then said: "It can be seen that you know the benefits of joining forces with Japan's Softbank, that is, you can enter the Japanese market smoothly!"

Yang Zhiyuan nodded honestly. In fact, he can decide whether to invest or not without asking Lin Zuhui; but YAHOO has been along the way, Jingwei Capital has contributed a lot, and there is also a board seat.

"That's right. After all, entering the Japanese market has greatly contributed to the development of YAHOO."

Lin Zuhui said: "Then SoftBank of Japan must be very eager to invest. Why don't you ask for a higher price, such as 1 million US dollars for a 25% stake. I believe they will agree immediately."

In this life, YAHOO is more powerful than the previous life, no matter in terms of function, technology, or company scale; therefore, it is only natural that it is more expensive.

His proposal was adopted again, and Lin Zuhui believed that this was the last financing for YAHOO.

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

YAHOO was listed in the first half of this year, and its initial market capitalization was less than US$10 billion. By then, it will be necessary for other companies to increase their holdings.

Lin Zuhui has been very busy since he came to the United States, but fortunately he has a private jet, so he can fly to Los Angeles to spend the night at night, and then fly to any place in the western United States the next day.

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

Thinking of this investment, Lin Zuhui is very happy. Amazon.com's future achievements will be a trillion-dollar enterprise; even if his 10% is diluted severely, it will still be 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 down!" Bezos entertained Lin Zuhui in a very ordinary office.He is really grateful to Lin Zuhui, because Lin Zuhui's plan for Amazon has given him full confidence, and every day is like fighting chicken blood, although the current development is not good.

After sitting down, Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Investing in Amazon requires external financing, and you have to consider me first. Anyway, if Amazon wants to develop the Wal-Mart of the Internet, it still needs a lot of financing. At least before going public, it also needs a lot of financing. , what do you say!"

Bezos' 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, Amazon can handle it at present."

He is a venture capitalist himself, so he won't suffer in this respect.

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Actually, Amazon's development is not 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."

Bezos suddenly became more interested, and said, "What is it?"

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

Although Mascar is also doing it, if Amazon does it now, it will become the largest online payment in the United States.

Bezos's eyes lit up first, then he fell into deep thought, and finally said happily: "Mr. Lin, you are such a genius. It is really an honor to be your partner."

At this time, he fully accepted Lin Zuhui. Not only did Lin Zuhui offer good conditions, but he also did not need to worry about Lin Zuhui interfering in Amazon, because this is the United States, and Lin Zuhui is from Xiangjiang.

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

After Bezos agreed to enter the online payment tool, Lin Zuhui once again proposed to get another 500% equity for 10 million US dollars, and Bezos readily agreed.

First of all, the price is high enough. Secondly, Lin Zuhui is very familiar with this industry. If he invests in a rival, the consequences will be disastrous.

And Lin Zuhui's investment of 500 million US dollars also hopes to increase the value of Amazon, so that his shares will be more valuable, and there will be fewer investment rounds before listing, and his share dilution will also be reduced.

Therefore, the seemingly high valuation is actually the premeditation of venture capital.

This is the reason why those venture capital companies in the previous life crazily lowered the price in the angel round, and then crazily raised the price later.

(End of this chapter)