Reborn fashion designer

Chapter 737 Do you know what I have been through?

Liverpool.

The negotiations between Xiang Yang and others regarding Uber's financing have not yet been concluded.

This is not surprising.

As a pioneer in the future wave of high valuations for Internet companies, how could it be easy to reach an agreement on the first round of external financing negotiations?

In order to facilitate better negotiations, Xiang Yang, Musk, Peter Thiel and David Sacks all called their own lawyers to discuss the specific contract details.

In order to express their respect for the founding team, Xiang Yang and Musk also called Uber's founder Kalanick.

US$1500 million in Series A funding!
Hearing this number and then thinking about the valuation, he, as a multi-millionaire, couldn't help but be a little surprised.

The main thing is that this figure was the price given by the "Bei Gang" which is famous in Silicon Valley.

"Xiang, in the next few weeks, we may burn all our marketing budget," he whispered to Xiangyang privately after catching up with the second round of negotiations.

Let’s talk about how attractive Beibang is.

If Uber can successfully obtain this round of financing, it can proudly say that it has become a mini unicorn after being founded just over a year ago.

Moreover, in addition to providing users with a good experience, leveraging the power of capital can also quickly capture the market.

There is no reason to say no.

But his views are somewhat consistent with Xiangyang's.

Since Uber has already decided to add truck services, a higher valuation would be reasonable.

Although this thing is still just a concept, it only exists in meetings and is talked about, and even a development team has not been integrated within Uber.

But Uber is an Internet company.

"I also think it's more appropriate to delay it." Xiangyang held his head high.

During the negotiations, Xiang Yang was particularly patient in pushing Uber's valuation to $1 million.

Kalanick's words gave him a little more confidence.

What was Uber's peak?

It once exceeded 100 billion US dollars.

Although the final IPO price remained between US$800 billion and US$900 billion.

But in this process, every round of financing is crucial to the dilution of one's own equity.

It is not an easy task to maintain his position as the third largest shareholder while promoting rapid growth in valuation.

Fortunately.

Forced by the close cooperation between the two parties, Musk wanted to bring in the "Bei Gang".

During the negotiation process, he repeatedly stated that he supported Xiang Yang's objections to the valuation.

$2000 million, 20%.

He, Xiangyang and Kalanick's founding team were diluted according to their shareholding ratio.

The three parties together hold 80% of the shares and still have controlling rights in the company.

The price is very reasonable.

So, while Xiang Yang and Kalanick were communicating in the conference room, in another lounge, he was also persuading Peter Thiel and David Sacks to accept the price.

Just $500 million more.

After this valuation increase, the overflow for the next round of financing is also obvious.

"Musk, this is not your character," Peter Thiel said with a smile.

Musk shrugged and said: "The development of Uber's new strategy has provided a lot of forward-looking suggestions, and it has been adopted by the founding team."

"We know this," said Peter Thiel, glancing at David Sachs next to him.

"I think $1500 million is a very realistic price. After all, your plans for the company's future new business development are still on paper." David Sacks understood and insisted on sticking to the consensus he and Peter Thiel had reached earlier.

“Haha, even though it’s only on paper, if it’s realized, it will be reflected in the valuation, right?”

Musk laughed.

The three people present were all old hands. When these words came out, Peter Thiel and David Sachs couldn't help laughing out loud.

After each of them took a sip of coffee from their mugs on the table, Musk said:

"From my personal perspective, Xiang was willing to accept the investment. But I think the concession of $500 million and the proportion of shares in exchange for the position of winning the A round of financing first is more critical."

"What do you mean?" Peter Thiel couldn't help but frowned.

"Xiang is sincere and has connections." Musk took another sip of coffee and said with a smile in a casual tone:
“I believe that the investors who have a good relationship with him will flock to Uber after hearing that it is willing to accept external financing. Just like…”

After a deliberate pause, Musk's face lit up with even more pride.

The INS founded by him, Xiang Yang and others saw its valuation soar rapidly in a short period of time as the number of registered users and monthly active users grew rapidly.

At one point, it even attracted the attention of their main competitor, Facebook, which they are very familiar with.

Now Xiangyang is willing to sit down and talk.

If the failure to reach this round of financing agreement was simply due to US$500 million and approximately 3% of the equity.

On the other hand, Xiangyang used his own connections to find someone to invest the money.

Musk felt uncomfortable.

Friends are friends, but in the business world, everyone will still be careful to ensure their own practical interests.

The price he has to pay is naturally that he has to cooperate with Xiang Yang with all his strength, otherwise it would be a bit unreasonable.

"You make the decision, Peter." After David Sachs handed the choice to Peter Thiel, he leaned back in his comfortable seat.

He knew what Musk meant.

Turning his head to look at him, Peter Thiel thought for a moment, then nodded slowly and said, "I hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible. In addition, I have a request to retain our priority for Series B financing."

"Then I'll go ask." Musk, who had been drinking coffee silently, smiled apologetically. He couldn't make the decision for Xiangyang on this matter.

This was stated in the agreement before we co-invested in Uber.

This sensitive supplementary terms of the financing agreement need to be communicated first.

"can."

When Xiang Yang heard Musk come in and convey Peter Thiel's final decision, he unexpectedly gave his answer.

In Xiangyang’s investment plan, Uber is just a pure feast of wealth.

The A round of financing reached 2000 million US dollars, so it is hard to say how much money will be needed for the B round.

Maybe $4000 million, maybe $5000 million.

But no matter how much it is, the value of the shares he holds has risen dramatically time and time again.

"But I also have a request. If they can accept it, I believe Kalanick will not object."

Xiangyang said this while smiling at Kalanick.

His additional request was much simpler.

That is, the priority of Peter Thiel and others is only reflected in financing of the same amount.

That is to say, if the next round of B financing.

They invested 5000 million and acquired 10% of the shares, pushing Uber's valuation from 1 million to 5 million US dollars.

If another party comes in, with the same amount of capital, they will only require an 8% or even lower equity share to give a higher valuation.

Peter Thiel and others either follow suit and place bets.

Or lose priority.

This can effectively guarantee the actual interests of him and Kalanick.

After all, compared with the investors coming out of Silicon Valley, the amount of funds they have is obviously not enough to keep up with the pace of subsequent financing.

"How about this, the three of us sign a supplementary agreement." The three parties Musk mentioned are him, Xiang Yang and Kalanick, who is responsible for the specific operations of the company.

“How about we three parties reach a consensus on when to start the next round of financing?”

"That's a good idea." Kalanick's eyes lit up and he nodded at Xiangyang.

The $2000 million in revenue is enough to last for a while.

"Then let's get ready to sign the contract." Xiang Yang was really straightforward. "I just happened to be in a hurry to return to Paris, and I can't delay this matter any longer."

"."

Musk looked at Xiangyang speechlessly.

What's the matter? Why are you so anxious?

The $2000 million financing agreement is no small matter. As Uber's valuation rose to $1 million, the two people who previously jointly held 40% of the shares split the shares equally, with each person holding 20%.

In the last round of investment, the two of them each paid $50 as an angel round financing agreement, which gave them each nearly 5% of the equity.

In other words, if you take it all down.

Xiangyang only owns 25% of Uber's shares, and his total spending is around $100 million.

Today, its value is as high as 2500 million US dollars.

That's 25 times!
But he, who had never compromised during the negotiations, wanted to go back so casually before reaching an agreement.

this.
"Xiang, shouldn't you invite me and Kalanick to dinner?" Musk said that there is a price to pay for him to work.

How can you just make money and run away?

Xiang Yang smiled and nodded, "Okay, no problem, I'll treat you to my favorite British food."

"."

Musk was stunned.

I haven't heard that Xiangyang has any liking for British food.

"Fish, chips, and baked potatoes, you can have as much of these three together as you want." Xiangyang couldn't help laughing when he joked.

These three things accompanied him for three meals a day during his study abroad.

I miss it very much.

But if you're in a hurry to leave, you really have something to do.

He had originally planned to leave after watching Liverpool's game the next day, but he had already been delayed for two days because of his own affairs.

Can't afford to waste
And yesterday, Little John, this worrying guy, also made him a little uneasy.

At the beginning, he asked John Jr. to invest 10 euros.

In the end, this guy refused to agree.

Now that he has become a multi-millionaire, he must be feeling uncomfortable.

He was afraid that his friend would do something stupid if he wasn't comforted in time.

correct!

Almost forgot!

Xiangyang scratched his head. If 2500 million US dollars were converted into RMB, it would be over million.

I have to inform Liu Xixi about such a big thing.

She also has to sign this.

However, she doesn't need to fly here with great difficulty. She just needs a lawyer to fly to China with the relevant documents and have her sign them.

But when I called, no one answered.

"Strange, why doesn't Zhao Xin have his cell phone?" Xiang Yang muttered a little puzzled.

He knew that Liu Qianqian would not hold her cell phone when filming.

But Zhao Xin always pays attention to his mobile phone which is in silent mode.

In the end, she didn't answer either.

Forget it, I'd better call my dear mother-in-law.

"Yangyang, I was just looking for you, but I didn't expect you to call me first." Liu Xiaoli received a call from her son-in-law and said:
"If you want to find Xixi, don't worry. She is busy revising the script with Xing Nana."

"Modify the script?" Xiang Yang frowned.

Everything is fine, why change the script?
Didn't I hear from Liu Xixi that this script is full of the deep love between the two people, and every word is her revealing her true feelings to herself again?

I really don't know who taught him to say such sweet words.

"Yes, didn't Xixi tell you? I just saw Zhao Xin and Xia Fu talking on the phone." Liu Xiaoli said.

"."

Hearing this, Xiangyang said that he felt strange today, and it turned out that his "tail-chaser" was missing.

Xiangyang, who was already used to Bi Shafer following behind him, curled his lips.

If Little John didn't show up today, it's because no one knows where he is hiding to recuperate.

10 becomes 250 million.

The unit is US dollars.

He missed this great opportunity to make a fortune.
"Dad~" Little John rubbed his fair palms red and looked at JCE with a playful smile.

There was a check on the table between the two of them.

The number above is exactly 50 euros, neither more nor less.

This is the maximum amount of money left in his account that he can use after receiving his bonus last time.

It can be seen that little John, who usually pretended to be poor in front of his friends, was not only not telling the truth, but also lived a wealthy life.

"What is this used for?" JCE looked at his abnormal son.

There is nothing better than a father who knows a son.

Little John actually gave him money!

His first reaction after seeing it was to see if there was any reliable psychiatrist he knew in his family in the British Isles.

Call him over and give his son a comprehensive examination.

But he still hesitated.

After all, this is his most beloved youngest son.

"I want to use this money to buy back the shares of Whatsapp." John pushed the check on the table, "50 euros, cash check, hehe."

“Well, wait a minute.” JCE took a deep breath, looked at his son, then looked at the check.

This action made Little John's heart almost jump out of excitement.

What surprised him was that JCE turned a blind eye to the check that was within his reach, but looked at him deeply and shook his head.

That lament sounded a bit like a wail.

Then he took out his cell phone
"Wife, you may have to come to Liverpool." JCE said to his lover in a deep voice after dialing the phone.

Even if you want to send your son to a mental hospital, don't you have to notify his immediate family first?

Before calling the doctor to take my son away
Let his loving mother take one last look at him.

50 million euros.

I just want to buy the Whatsapp stocks he has.

Ha ha
A few hours later, when the lawyer had prepared all the documents, Xiangyang was ready to sign.

A phone call interrupted his action.

It wasn't Liu Xixi who called back.

Knowing that she was exposed, she dared not touch Xiangyang's bad luck.

It was Little John.

"Wait a moment, I need to take a call first." Seeing the incoming call from his friend, Xiangyang put down his pen with a happy smile.

He has a clear mind as to which is more important, friends or money.

What is money?
Wait two minutes to sign, and you can’t run away.

"Xiang! Where are you?" Little John's crying voice yelled in Xiangyang's ear: "You don't know what I've been through."

Walking down the street and getting robbed?

still is
Xiang Yang laughed and said, "I also have something I want to share with you. Wait for me to sign first."

As for the specific amount of the contract.

He said softly:

"Hey, I accidentally made 2400 million. It's really a coincidence that you called me. We are going to have dinner later. If you are in the mood."

"Beep beep beep beep."

A busy tone interrupted Xiangyang's words.

ruthless!

(End of this chapter)