My Age of Investment

   Chapter 731

  The next day.

  Eberhard and Tarpening quickly gathered all Tesla shareholders.

  In the meeting room, the two announced two things in public.

  The first thing is that the gearbox research and development has encountered a problem, and the delivery plan is delayed indefinitely!

  The second thing is that the D round of financing is urgently needed, and the company is out of money!

  This is equivalent to dropping two blockbuster bombs on the calm lake, which shocked all shareholders.

  Especially the first thing, the research and development of the gearbox really shocked the shareholders.

  No one who can sit in the conference room is unlearned. They all know the difficulty of gearbox development. They don’t believe that Tesla can succeed. Those with small arms and legs want to develop gearboxes? Did you wake up?

   However, after all, they are all shareholders, and no one jumped out to ridicule, but only a few words of persuasion.

  When Eberhard consulted on the D round of financing, all shareholders, including Bezos Ventures, Waterfall Investments, and Defengjie, among the big dogs, counted as one, and all remained silent.

  Some people look down at the documents, some look at the ceiling, some play with nails...

  Xia Jingxing also said nothing.

  It’s not a good deal to catch up. What's more, all his shareholding platforms add up, holding a total of 49.21% of Tesla’s shares. If the shareholding increases, then he will have to control Tesla.

  He doesn't mind this, but it doesn't mean that the two original founders, Eberhard and Tarpening, don't mind.

  So he can't be too positive about this matter, just let it go.

  After watching a big circle, none of the shareholders expressed their willingness to participate in the D round of financing, and Eberhard and Tarpening's hearts were cold.

  The two looked at each other, and Tarpening said: “Let’s talk about it today. The D round of financing will find new investors from the outside.”

   "Okay, the compass is fine!"

   "SDL is fine too!"

  "Value equity capital agrees!"

  ……

  All shareholders, without exception, all voted in favor and began to reassess Tesla’s value and probability of success.

  Eberhard and Tarpening ended the meeting very disappointed.

  Xia Jingxing was about to leave, and was suddenly stopped by Antonio, a partner of Value Equity Capital.

   "Daren, let's talk together!"

  Xia Jingxing looked back and saw that there were shareholder representatives such as Draper and Larson standing beside Antonio, and everyone looked at him, the major shareholder, with a smile.

  He understood instantly, and these people wanted to chat with him privately.

  Without thinking too much, Xia Jingxing agreed very readily.

  A group of people drove to an elegant cafe not far from Tesla.

After    took their seats, Antonio went directly to the subject: "Darren, what do you think of Tesla's Series D financing?"

  Hearing this, everyone else turned their attention to Xia Jingxing, wanting to hear the views of this major shareholder.

  Xia Jingxing took the silver spoon and gently stirred the coffee in the cup, and slowly said: "Do everything, let your fate!"

  Antonio smiled, he was not very satisfied with the answer.

  Other shareholders invested only a few hundred thousand or several million dollars in Tesla. Only their valued equity capital invested in two consecutive rounds, with a total investment of nearly 20 million U.S. dollars.

  Except for Xia Jingxing, they are the ones who have invested the most, so there is no chance that they can completely let go of Tesla.

   “Darren, with Tesla’s current state, if you go outside to raise money, you may end up shutting the door, or the valuation will be cut in half.”

  Antonio looked at Xia Jingxing, "If that happens, we will ignore it completely?"

  Xia Jingxing glanced at Antonio and other shareholders. Others' reactions were flat, except for Antonio's solemn face, which paid the most attention to his performance.

   "I have already invested 30 million U.S. dollars and drew a stop loss line in my heart."

  Antonio frowned, "Daren, this is not your style. If you shrink halfway, 30 million dollars will be wiped out.

  I suggest that if Tesla’s financing does not go smoothly, a few of our old shareholders can pool together to supplement Tesla with a round of funds.

  This is not only a chance for Tesla, but also a chance for us! "

  Draper’s eyes flickered, “Yes, in my decades of investment career, I have also encountered such things, the key is to persist. It is a pity to give up now.”

  Larson spread his hands, "We have no objection. It is not a big problem to invest a few million dollars in the waterfall. You can negotiate."

  Shareholders have expressed their opinions, and their performance at Tesla just now is nothing like two people.

  Xia Jingxing feels bad in her heart.

  Especially Antonio, their company invested nearly 20 million US dollars, it is impossible to die for Tesla.

  There are two paths in front of him at this moment, either to invest in Tesla with a group of investors; or to kill the patience of the investors, and finally to buy the bottom by himself.

  The second solution is a waste of time and money, but it is the most cost-effective solution for him.

But he also wanted to deliver the car early, so that Tesla's development can really take the fast track, and he began to launch the first mass-produced model and the second mass-produced model that Tesla has independently completed the design in the true sense... …

   "Darren, everyone has expressed their opinions, and you are the only one left. If you want to save Tesla, please express your opinions!"

  Antonio hesitated to see Xia Jingxing, and suddenly felt a little anxious in his heart.

   "Tesla has to raise at least 50 million US dollars. This is not a small amount. How about everyone sharing it?"

  Xia Jingxing made a move to retreat, and the other shareholders were caught in the move, and they immediately retreated.

  Especially the two small venture capital institutions, SDL and Compass. They each invested $600,000 in Series A, and the sunk costs are not that big.

  Now that Tesla is in danger, it is not a good plan to let them each contribute nearly 10 million US dollars to rescue.

  Bezos Ventures, Waterfall Investment, and Defengjie each invested more than 2 million US dollars in the C round. This figure is only a small meaning to them.

  The three of them did not express their views and stood on the sidelines.

  Antonio did not argue with Xia Jingxing. After considering it for a moment, he said: “The valuation can allow the management team to make concessions. If Tesla succeeds in the future, the return on this investment will be quite generous.”

  Before Xia Jingxing spoke, the representative of SDL said, “But what if it fails? All investments will be lost, and the risk is too great.”

   "Yes, let's take the long view! Anyway, Tesla has not officially opened the D round of financing. Maybe it can find an institution willing to invest."

  The representative of Compass said on the side that his words were very high-sounding, but in fact they were politely refusing.

  Antonio squeezed his eyebrows, feeling that he was surrounded by pig teammates, a little unmovable.

  SDL representative suddenly said: "Hey! Darren, I remember that when you signed the A round investment agreement, you seemed to have signed a promise to invest $84 million in Tesla with a guaranteed minimum within five years?"

  The representative of the compass patted his forehead, "Yes, yes, I also remembered that there is such a thing."

  Xia Jingxing didn't say a word, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little embarrassing.

  Antonio smiled and said, "There is still such a thing!

  Na Daren, you, as the youngest richest man in the world, worth billions of dollars and ranked by Forbes, can't die!

  Since the agreement is signed, it is legally binding. Darren, what do you think? Hahaha! "

  Antonio’s smile was a bit proud and joking. He thought he had grasped Xia Jingxing’s pigtails and could solve the current problems Tesla is facing.

   Just now when he suggested that everyone solve the Tesla problem together, Xia Jingxing didn't appreciate it.

  It’s all right now, just take it yourself!

  He felt that Xia Jingxing had lifted a rock and hit him in the foot this time. He deserved it!

  Xia Jingxing’s face became ugly, “It’s almost impossible for Tesla to build a gearbox. If you don’t believe me, can we ask industry experts to consult?”

  Antonio heard the prevarication in Xia Jing’s jargon, and said firmly: “No matter what, Tesla must survive.”

   "Yes, Darren, you, as a major shareholder, must show your responsibility!" SDL representatives praised him.

  "For Darren you, tens of millions of dollars is just a small and inconspicuous figure, but for Tesla, it is the continuation of the dream!" The representative of the compass is very talkative, and wildly farts on the side.

  The representatives of Larson and Bezos Venture Capital remained silent. They have a good relationship with Xia Jingxing, and it is not easy to get in the way.

Draper didn't have so much scruples, and smiled and said: "Darren, Tesla is definitely its greatest luck to meet a shareholder like you. If Tesla succeeds in the future, it will definitely have half of your military medal. "

  Xia Jingxing's complexion kept changing, showing off his acting skills not weaker than that of a movie star.

  After a while, he said quietly: "I didn't say no matter what, if Tesla encounters a problem, I will take action."

   "Okay, refreshing!" Antonio gave Xia Jingxing a thumbs up.

  Other people followed the rainbow fart and praised Xia Jingxing.

After a while, everyone began to leave.

  Larson was the last one to leave. Before leaving, he patted Xia Jingxing on the shoulder, “Daren, if you feel that funds are tight, you can talk to Mr. Gates that waterfall investment can support you partly.”

   "Okay, I will contact Mr. Gates if necessary."

   Larson nodded and left.

  Everyone left, and in the end only Xia Jingxing was left.

  He picked up the coffee on the table, raised Erlang's legs, and slowly recalled his acting skills.

  What I promised just now is still too refreshing. I should stick to it again. It is best to have a fight with Antonio, so that it looks realistic.

  Hey, that’s all, I'm a person with status anyway, and his performance is nothing at all.

  (End of this chapter)