Chapter 259 The Wind Channel
Qin Shaoyan hesitated for a moment, glanced at Steve and asked: "You mean... let's work together? How to cooperate?"
"Yes, Let's work together," Steve said excitedly.
YouTube, a new concept Internet project, acquires websites and inflates valuations, which perfectly fits Yahoo’s style of doing things.
This website is simply tailor-made for Yahoo.
Find a way to get YouTube, and then let YouTube acquire China's video website.
Expanding the Chinese market and developing a video website for the global market is a very good story, and it is also a story that the capital market loves to hear.
As long as this story is told well, the benefits it will bring to Yahoo will definitely be more than doubling the valuation of YouTube.
After all, Yahoo is much larger than YouTube. Any good news that stimulates the stock price to rise can bring about a market value that can buy several YouTubes.
In 2000, Yahoo's market value once exceeded US$125 billion.
Although the Internet bubble burst later and Yahoo's market value plummeted, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse.
What's more, Yahoo has always been the leader of the Internet. From 2000 to 2006, it has been the No. 1 Internet ranking in the world.
In 2006, it dominated 3 of the top 20 global Internet companies, with Yahoo, Yahoo Japan and Yahoo China ranking 1st, 7th and 14th respectively.
It is no exaggeration to say that at this time Yahoo was the undoubted overlord of the Internet.
The later Internet giants such as Microsoft and Google are not at the same level as Yahoo at the beginning of the century.
Unfortunately, this huge empire declined quickly, and the decline was faster than anyone expected.
Until 2008, Microsoft once offered a price of US$50 billion to Yahoo, hoping that the marriage would break Google's monopoly in the search and online advertising markets.
But Yahoo, which had high ambitions but low power, rejected this cooperation, and the cooperation that all parties were optimistic about ended up coming to nothing.
Having missed this opportunity to sell itself at a high price, Yahoo is like a discounted product on a shelf, helplessly waiting for a bargain, and anxiously anticipating the arrival of a buyer.
On July 25, 2016, the American communications giant Verizon announced its acquisition of Yahoo for US$4.83 billion.
For the former Internet giant, this ending is more like a humiliation. The sale price of US$4.8 billion is less than a fraction of its peak valuation of 100 billion.
At this point in 2005, Yahoo had already realized its decline.
So investors and shareholders have begun various methods to stimulate the stock price, trying to maintain Yahoo's market value by constantly acquiring and expanding business, and telling stories.
And at this time, Yahoo can still spend a large amount of money to negotiate acquisitions.
For example, in the original time and space, Yahoo offered $1 billion to acquire Facebook.
For example, US$1 billion is exchanged for 40% of Alibaba shares.
If you miss this time point, even if you really want to sell it in two or three years, it will be difficult for Yahoo to come up with the money.
For those who urgently need new stories to maintain market value and stimulate stock prices, and at the same time can spend large sums of money without hesitation, Yahoo is the most suitable company.
Qin Shaoyan looked at Steve with complicated eyes. After a while, he sighed and said quietly: "Actually, Yahoo is my first choice for cooperation."
"But the price you offered is too low, and it is simply a humiliation for us at YouTube."
"So we have to go to Google to negotiate."
"John, this is actually a misunderstanding." Steve began to curse the guys in charge of the negotiations in his mind, "Let us discuss business, put aside Just get rid of those unpleasant things, okay?”
“I think your plan is actually very good. It’s a very ambitious business plan.”
“What’s the point of having a good business plan?” "Qin Shaoyan said helplessly, "Other shareholders don't support it at all. "
If other shareholders support it, you should be talking about financing instead of waiting here to sell YouTube shares.
Steve guessed that Qin Shaoyan said that he had differences in business ideas with other shareholders. This should be a euphemism.
It is estimated that the argument between them was very fierce and the talks collapsed, so everyone finally decided to sell their shares, cash out and leave.
Of course, other shareholders cannot be blamed for being short-sighted.
After all, any business plan is risky, not to mention that this kind of cross-border acquisition requires a lot of funds.
YouTube may need to raise US$300 million to be sure, but YouTube itself is worth only that much.
Investors are all after profits, not risks.
A large number of investors in Silicon Valley cash out after one or two rounds of a project, and they don’t care how big the subsequent projects can develop.
After all, compared with the illusory market prospects, it is better to feel at ease when you get the money and pursue the maximum rate of return in the shortest time.
"If we support your business plan, are you still willing to continue talking to Yahoo?" Steve asked.
Qin Shaoyan hesitated for a moment, "The premise is that you can give a reasonable quotation."
"What do you think is a reasonable offer?" Steve asked.
"One billion dollars." Qin Shaoyan gestured, "I think this is quite appropriate."
Steve was stunned for a moment, "Are you kidding?"
“I am discussing this with you very seriously, Mr. Steve.” Qin Shaoyan said seriously, “YouTube’s valuation reached US$800 million half a month ago, but it’s a pity that you don’t admit it.”
< br>“Now Google has made an offer of US$850 million.”
"But this does not reflect the true value of YouTube."
Qin Shaoyan waved his arms excitedly and said, "The YouTube team has reached an agreement with China's Kuaibo Network. The contract has been drawn up, only the funds are missing. Once it’s in place, you can sign.”
“It’s only one step away from YouTube’s valuation doubling.”
“The increase in YouTube’s valuation is bound to happen if it is still valued at US$800 million. Is it reasonable to evaluate the true value of YouTube? ”
“So, acquiring YouTube requires a certain premium!”
"The price of one billion US dollars is already very low!"
Steve frowned, and he also knew that Qin Shaoyan's price of one billion US dollars was indeed a bit high.
However, the increase in YouTube’s valuation is something that is just around the corner, and a slight premium is reasonable.
The bottom line is that a billion dollars is a lot of money for YouTube, but it's not that hard for Yahoo.
What Yahoo values is that the acquisition of YouTube brings a series of positive news to the stock price. Even if the stock price only increases by 10%, it will still be a gain of billions of dollars.
"So this is your final bottom line?" Steve asked seriously.
Qin Shaoyan nodded and said firmly: "Yes!"
Steve let out a sigh of relief, "I will convey your request to the boss."
< br>As he stood up, he picked up the copy in his hand, "Can I take this away?"
"No, this won't work." Qin Shaoyan smoothly pulled the copy back, " You can’t take this thing away.”
Steve was a little helpless, "I need to get some evidence to convince my boss."
"You can go to China to verify the authenticity of the license." Qin Shaoyan hesitated and handed over the copy Passed it to Steve.
Steve carefully put away the copy of the license and left in a hurry.
Soon, Yahoo verified the authenticity of certain messages through Yahoo China.
Steve called Qin Shaoyan that day and said that Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang wanted to interview him.
Subsequently, Qin Shaoyan notified YouTube's negotiation team and asked them to tell Google that Yahoo was willing to offer one billion US dollars to acquire YouTube.
......
The next day, Qin Shaoyan and Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang met at a golf course.
Since the other party was also Chinese, Qin Shaoyan did not bring a translator, but only brought Zhang Pingyi to the appointment. As soon as they met, Yang Zhiyuan smiled and said in Chinese: "Mr. Qin is really young and promising."
Qin Shaoyan said modestly, "I often tell others that Mr. Yang is my idol. He founded the Yahoo empire from scratch. He is really a model for Internet people."
"Yahoo's achievements alone, we can only Looking up."
Yang Zhiyuan laughed, "Mr. Qin, you are too modest."
"I have heard about Mr. Qin's deeds. He can achieve such achievements at such a young age. The future is limitless.”
“I was not as good as you when I was young.”
"A person should not only look at his personal struggle, but also look at the process of history." Qin Shaoyan said with emotion, "I have caught up with the express train of the times, not how great my abilities are."
"On the wind, even pigs can fly."
"Only when the tide recedes will everyone know who is not wearing underpants."
Although Qin Shaoyan's tone is very modest, Yang Zhiyuan always has a feeling in his heart. He felt that the other party's words were strange, so he changed the topic, "Can Mr. Qin know how to play golf?"
"I can't." Qin Shaoyan replied directly, "Our school's physical education class does not teach this, but I can Play tennis.”
Yang Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, "Schools in mainland China also teach tennis."
"Of course, we also have special tennis courts." Qin Shaoyan said with emotion, "But I still like skating classes in winter. Watering the playground can turn it into a skating rink in just one night."
Yang Zhiyuan was a little curious, "That must be fun."
"It's really fun. This is it. It’s the most interesting class I’ve had in five years of college.” Qin Shaoyan said with a smile, “I’ll invite Mr. Yang to my hometown if I have the chance.”
“Okay, I’ll definitely go if I have the chance.” With a sigh, he put away the club in his hand and talked as he walked.
"I have read Mr. Qin's resume, and it is really amazing."
"It is said that you made your first pot of gold by making game software, is it true?"
Qin Shaoyan He said with a smile: "This is the thing I am most proud of. I was still a poor student at that time, with only a few hundred dollars on hand."
"Vice President Zhang Pingyi and I rely on our spare time to I completed the production of the game software and sold it to the United States.”
“The game software was very successful and made me a lot of money. It was with this money that I was able to build Facebook. Net.”
Jerry Yang said with envy, "I heard that Mr. Qin spent 10 million US dollars at one time. I couldn't do this when I was in college."
"From Facebook to a video website , Mr. Qin has a very keen sense of the Internet.”
“I heard that Mr. Qin also has several very good projects on the Internet in mainland China,” Yang Zhiyuan asked curiously, “With Mr. Qin’s ability. You should have greater achievements if you stay in the United States. Why did you choose to go back? "Maybe it's because I'm not used to life in the United States." Qin Shaoyan smiled, "Everyone has his own ambitions."
"It's a pity." Yang Zhiyuan said smoothly, "But Mr. Qin is also very impressive on the mainland Internet, almost copying the website in the United States."
"You also established the Kuaibo network acquired by YouTube, right?"
"YouTube was co-founded by me and others. The origin of Kuaibo network is a bit more complicated." Qin Shaoyan said sincerely, "In fact, it was the earliest in China There was a team working on a video website, but they were a step behind me.”
“I originally planned to invest in it, but I found a team that was working on a video website, so I simply acquired them.”
"With the funds from several venture capital investors, the website was established."
Yang Zhiyuan continued to ask: "How many shares does Mr. Qin have in Qvod.com?"
"Less than 20%." Qin Shaoyan replied, "There are two investment companies that have more shares than me, but they usually entrust me with their voting rights."
"It is said to the outside world that I am Major shareholder, that’s all. I have to listen to investors.”
“Then why did Mr. Qin choose to sell that mainland video website?” Yang Zhiyuan asked curiously.
“Actually, it’s almost the same as selling YouTube.” Qin Shaoyan sighed, “The video website looks great, but it requires a lot of funds to maintain operations.”
“Some investors are interested in continuing I have concerns about investing money and want to sell my shares.”
"And I am tired of communicating with investors."
"I now plan to run the social networking site with all my strength. After all, I have to hurry up and go public."
Zhiyuan Yang smiled He smiled, hit the golf ball far away with his swing, then picked up a club and handed it to Qin Shaoyan, "Let's try it, Mr. Qin."
Qin Shaoyan took the club and gestured twice, and then Passed it to Zhang Pingyi, "Let my partner try it, he hasn't hit it before."
"Okay." Yang Zhiyuan did not object, pointing to the distance and said, "Take that hole as a What is the goal? If we can score a hole in ten strokes, then let’s talk about cooperation.”
Zhang Pingyi took a look and hesitated.
Qin Shaoyan patted him on the shoulder, "Play whatever you want, and if you lose, it's mine."
Zhang Pingyi took a deep breath, made a gesture, and then swung the club hard.
The white ball rotated at high speed and drew an arc in the air, and then fell into the hole very accurately.
"Wow, eagle ball!" Jerry Yang was stunned for a moment, then clapped and praised, "This is a good sign. It seems that our cooperation will definitely be a success."
Qin Shaoyan nodded and agreed with a smile: "It is indeed a good sign."
Yang Zhiyuan stretched out his palm, "One billion dollars, that's it."
Qin Shaoyan also followed. Stretching out his palm, "I personally fully agree with this cooperation."
Then the two looked at each other and laughed.
……
After getting the news, Davis drove directly to Qin Shaoyan's villa and rushed in excitedly, "John, a billion dollars?!"
"Yes, a billion dollars." Qin Shaoyan nodded.
“That’s great!” Davis almost jumped up with excitement, “John, you’re great, we’re going to succeed. Did Yahoo say when the contract will be signed?”
< br>"No rush yet." Qin Shaoyan replied, "Wait a little longer."
"Why?" Davis was stunned for a moment, "What are you waiting for?"
"Let's take a look at Google's offer first." Qin Shaoyan said very calmly, "What if Google is willing to bid higher than Yahoo?"
Davis thought for a while, "Then should I notify Pioneer? And the VCs of the BlackRock Foundation?"
"Yes." Qin Shaoyan nodded, "Tell them that this is not the final price of YouTube, and I hope they will make a decision soon."
Davis immediately picked up the phone and began communicating with the other two investment funds.
At this time, David Banks also rushed over, with uncontrollable ecstasy on his face.
"BOSS, Google is willing to offer US$1.1 billion, will you sell it?"
Davis, who was on the phone, was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly shouted into the phone: "Google has offered US$1.1 billion. , do you want to think about it again?”
“Maybe YouTube will be worth 1.2 billion US dollars tomorrow”
“If you don’t get on the bus, there will be no place for you!”
After a few seconds, Davis waved his fist fiercely and looked at Qin Shaoyan excitedly, "Vanguard and BlackRock Fund gave new valuations."
"USD 1.2 billion!"
"USD 1.2 billion, releasing 20% of the shares, which is just right." Qin Shaoyan stood up, "Promise them, we will sign the contract tomorrow."
Then Qin Shaoyan picked up the phone and dialed Xiong Xiaoge.
"Mr. Xiong, YouTube's $240 million will be received soon. Where is your money?"
(End of Chapter)