Chapter 1200 Two Madmen

It is the most suitable time for Zhou Buqi to attack Tesla now.

In his previous life, Musk almost went bankrupt this year.

Both Tesla and SpaceX, the two major companies under its umbrella, are short of money. Without the injection of funds, it will be over. But under the financial crisis, it is really difficult to find venture capital.

Musk is also a rich man. He mortgaged all his assets, plus the cash flow in his personal account, which is about 21 million US dollars. This is a lot of money, but it is not enough for his two companies.

If you want to save, you can only save one family at most.

Musk didn't sleep for several days, thinking about it specifically.

The palms and backs of the hands are full of flesh, which one can give up?

I can't bear it!

Then, he made a bold decision to split the money into two and inject it into two companies respectively.

This scares a lot of people.

For this kind of research and development company, this amount of money is not enough at all, and it would be great if it can save a company. If they separate, it is very likely that neither company can be saved!

But Musk is unwilling to give up, saying that he will die together and die together, and live together!

On the one hand, inject the money into the two companies separately, so that Tesla can continue to produce cars, so that SpaceX's rocket can prepare for the next launch. Maintain basic operations of both companies.

On the one hand, he looked for investment everywhere like a madman.

SpaceX is a rhapsody, and the company has no chance of finding venture capital.

Musk knew it well, so he could only complain publicly, expressing his curiosity about the universe and his belief in aerospace engineering. On the one hand, they are looking for venture capital capital in tears everywhere, hoping to raise financing for Tesla.

This was all two months ago.

I searched and searched, but found nothing.

Tesla wants to subvert the entire auto industry, but it has been unanimously suppressed by traditional car companies. They coincidentally regard Tesla as the enemy of life and death, and constantly mobilize the media to discredit Tesla.

He even described Musk as a mentally ill patient walking on the edge of madness, an unprecedented super liar in the business world.

Coincidentally, several SpaceX rocket launches have failed.

It just confirmed everyone's guess.

He is a crazy idiot!

Who dares to invest in him at this time?

Under the pressure of this kind of corporate life and death and public opinion, Musk is really going crazy.

Until Christmas, Musk suddenly received an unexpected call from NASA. His admiration for Mars that he showed in the media in the past period finally had an effect, and he moved the bosses in NASA. He received a super order from NASA worth 1.4 billion U.S. dollars.

This time, SpaceX was saved!

Then he withdrew the money injected into SpaceX and injected it into Tesla, and then Tesla was saved. A year later, the global economy improved, the rocket launch was successful, and Tesla successfully obtained the last round of financing before going public.

It can be said that if Zhou Buqi is two months later, Tesla will miss him.

Now is the darkest time in Musk's life, and it's the best opportunity.

Zhou Buqi was not in a hurry, and first waited for the elder sister Chen Ran who rushed over from Los Angeles, and then went to meet Musk together. Together they visited the R\u0026D center, workshops, intelligent robots, and hundreds of Tesla cars that have already left the factory.

"I want to buy a car."

"No, I'll give it to you."

It's just a car. No matter how short of money Musk is, he won't even be able to afford a car.

Zhou Buqi smiled, "You haven't heard my offer yet."

"Um?"

Musk was taken aback for a moment, realizing that there was something in his words.

Zhou Buqi said bluntly, "200 million US dollars, is it enough?"

As soon as these words came out, Chen Ran's complexion changed drastically, and he quickly said: "Mr. Zhou, you are excited. Didn't you establish a long-term asset acquisition and M\u0026A advisory agreement with Goldman Sachs? You should ask them for help in this kind of matter."

Zhou Buqi said: "No need, I am optimistic about this business, I like this car."

"Mr. Zhou..."

"Okay, I've made my decision."

Zhou Buqi waved his hand and interrupted Chen Ran.

She is not Zhou Buqi's manager, and she doesn't need to help him with financial advice and strategic arrangements. She is a financial expert of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Her job is asset management, financial audit, and some financial business processing according to the requirements of the employer.

To put it bluntly, she is a senior accountant, responsible for collection and payment, not for investment projects.

In the case of investing in Tesla, you have to find a special investment bank to be responsible.

Invite Goldman Sachs, even if it costs US$1 million in consulting fees, Goldman Sachs can use its professional capabilities to win the greatest benefits for employers that far exceed the US$1 million.

This time, Zhou did not go his own way.

This is Silicon Valley, and unlike Hollywood, it's less troublesome.

First of all, he believes in Tesla and should not be missed;

The second is to involve Goldman Sachs, which is too inefficient and too boring.

Zhou Buqi is a good person, and Musk is so anxious that he is going crazy, and he has to get him over the current difficulty. Don't set up any messy obstacles anymore, since it's sending charcoal in a timely manner, give it generously and leave a good impression on the other party.

Several people went to Musk's office.

Musk provided the previous investment tables——

In May 2006, C round of financing, 40 million US dollars;

In May 2007, D round of financing, 45 million US dollars;

In February 2008, E-round financing, 40 million US dollars.

The money was spent really fast enough.

At the same time, we can also see a phenomenon, that is, last year, Tesla's market was bullish, and it received more financing, with a valuation of 750 million US dollars. In February of this year, Tesla’s D round of financing only received 40 million US dollars, with a valuation of 650 million US dollars, which is less than last year...

It can be seen that at the beginning of this year, the market's views on Tesla changed, and the market went down. Now that the financial tsunami erupts, it will be even worse.

"Zhou, I only need $50 million."

Musk doesn't want to dilute the stake too much.

He has great faith in Tesla.

As long as the current difficulties are overcome, financing can be easily obtained in the future.

Zhou Buqi said: "50 million US dollars is too little. This is a big business that changes the industry and even the world. Without enough money, it will not work at all."

While asking the secretary to find him more specific financial documents, Musk quickly explained to him, "Zhou, the financing amount of 200 million US dollars is too high, and it is not easy for the board of directors to pass..."

Zhou Buqi didn't believe it.

Tesla is dying.

Once dead, all past investments will be in vain. At this moment, someone is willing to continue to throw money into this mud pit, and it is too late to be happy.

"Don't look for it, I don't look at financial documents." Zhou Buqi stopped his arrangement, "Elon, you may not know me very well. I personally have no interest in small businesses. If it's just a $50 million business, today I'm not coming at all."

"Well……"

Musk twitched the corner of his mouth.

Everyone said he was a lunatic, but today he saw an even more maddening lunatic.

Zhou Buqi waved his hand and said without a doubt: "I propose a plan, if you think it works, we will sign the contract. If it doesn't work, forget it. I'm not interested in small business."

Chen Ran sat aside, feeling very complicated.

In the past few years, she has served more than a dozen rich people, many of whom are super rich with billions of dollars. This is the first time I've seen a lunatic like Zhou Buqi who doesn't take money as money and would rather spend more than spend less.

Keep the money in your hands, hot?

Just have to wade through the muddy water, even if the money is less?

This young man is really different!

For a moment, a bold idea popped up in Chen Ran's mind.

Under the financial crisis, PricewaterhouseCoopers also has to lay off staff. Rather than scrambling for power and profit and competing with colleagues for the qualification to stay, it is better to jump out and become a full-time financial consultant for this young rich man.

He still has $2 billion in his account!

There will certainly be no fewer cases like this in the future.

Zhou Buqi ignored her, and said calmly: "I never bully people when I talk about business. During the D round, Tesla was valued at 750 million US dollars. The E round actually fell to 650 million US dollars. I will not criticize you in terms of valuation. Tesla is pushing prices down too much."

"Oh?" Musk raised his eyebrows, "Mr. Zhou, you mean..."

Zhou Buqi waved his hand, "I will raise funds at the valuation of the D round. I will offer 200 million US dollars, and I want 25% of the shares. It doesn't matter whether it is diluted, or it is an acquisition that others withdraw, I only need 25% of the shares, and The priority of future financing. Mr. Musk, you can think about it carefully. If you agree, you can contact me.”

Chen Ran collapsed.

Never seen a business like this before.

What a madman.

You can only leave with him.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he reached the door, another lunatic spoke.

"Wait a minute!" Musk suddenly called Zhou Buqi, stretched out his right hand and walked over, with a bright smile on his face, "Mr. Zhou, happy cooperation!"

The smile on Zhou Buqi's face was as bright as his, and he said with a smile: "Happy cooperation!"

"When will the money be paid?"

"What do you say?"

"The sooner the better."

"Transfer the money to you now?"

"Ah?" Musk was stunned, and coughed a few times, "Don't be in such a hurry, give me a day, I will communicate with the shareholders. Then prepare the contract. It can be signed the day after tomorrow at the latest."

"That's it!" Zhou Buqi was very forthright, still boasting, "As long as I am interested in the business, I will spare no effort to fully support it. I am not afraid of more money, but less money!"

Musk blinked, his heart beat violently, and tentatively said: "Mr. Zhou, besides Tesla, I also have another company that is engaged in aerospace engineering. Let's talk about it?"

"Is that the project you said you were going to go to Mars?"

"right."

Musk looked embarrassed, a little embarrassed.

Zhou Buqi frowned slightly, "I'm not interested in Mars."

Musk said: "It is mainly a commercial satellite launch, and we will operate in a low-cost way."

Zhou Buqi nodded, "We can talk about it."

Ms. Chen Ran cursed in her heart, "Sit! Two lunatics!"