In 2006, the internet still had many opportunities, for example, Dangdang.com and the yet-to-appear Chenke Chenpin, Jumei Youpin, and so on.
If done well, one could go public, raise a wave of money, and run, and it would still be in the US stock market.
But if we're talking about a breakthrough, mini-games are still the most suitable, after all, e-commerce also requires money, and using one's own money to do e-commerce without investment is ultimately a hurdle one can't quite overcome internally.
How can one use their own money to do internet business?
Of course, one must use investors' money.
First, use the earning potential of mini-games to build the company's reputation, while accumulating some connections in the investment circle, then launch other projects, using investors' money to undertake larger projects.
Internet companies think differently from brick-and-mortar companies.
General brick-and-mortar enterprises focus more on equity, founders typically hold a large proportion of equity, and investments are mainly from their own funds and bank loans.
For internet enterprises, as long as you have a bit of fame, or even no fame but a good idea and plan, there will be people willing to provide you with funds, which is what is known as venture capital, to realize your dreams.
The two have different business philosophies, resulting in different investment styles.
Compared to the internet, traditional industries have longer cycles, and few venture capital firms are willing to invest in long-cycle projects, while the internet shows results relatively faster.
Compared to traditional manufacturing, the internet relies more on technology and data, such as advertising, platform services, and information interaction, etc., it can build a platform in a very short time and quickly go public to cash out.
Going public means creating wealth; investments of hundreds of thousands or millions could yield hundreds or thousands of times the return, and investment firms are more inclined towards internet companies precisely because they see this potential.
Honestly, if the rebirth had happened a few days earlier, before Tan Jincheng got on the ship, he would have chosen to go to school, and then use that period to get into the internet industry, instead of choosing a brick-and-mortar industry.
University is not just a university, but a platform.
If you want to start a business, your classmates and mentors could become your resources and connections.
Compared to a society that only talks about profit, university life is relatively simpler.
Secondly, every university offers a certain degree of support for student entrepreneurship.
You just need to submit a business plan, and you might receive some startup capital, and success would also be an honor for the school.
Furthermore, a student's identity is your natural shield.
Legitimate business competition methods are naturally fine, but if it's illegitimate, like playing dirty tricks, when you deal with competitors in society, you might still have a glimmer of hope, but using them against students, that's asking for trouble.
The best structure for Orange Technology is actually for Gu Qingqing to serve as the legal representative, Tan Jincheng to remain behind the scenes, using Superstar Engine to invest in and control Orange Technology, using Gu Qingqing's identity as a university student as a cover, and also gaining some resources from Yongcheng University.
At least in terms of recruitment, Yongcheng University would open its doors wide.
"Are you interested in joining Orange Technology?"
Tan Jincheng said with a smile to Gu Qingqing, who was deep in thought.
Qingqing is interested in both the internet and doing business, and she also studied computer science for a while at Yongcheng University.
She'll be a junior in the second half of the year, and her coursework won't be as demanding, so it's still possible for her to do something now.
He doesn't understand anything about Orange Technology's operations or technical aspects.
All he can do is use his foresight from his previous life to provide ideas, so that Orange Technology doesn't take too many detours, but the actual development still depends on the programmers.
In terms of actual management, there's actually not much difference whether he's there or not; it's better to let her put her learning to use and showcase her abilities.
"Me? Can I?"
Gu Qingqing was a little surprised; this was the first time Tan Jincheng had formally invited her to join the company.
Although some of the company's business ideas weren't kept from her before, joining the company was never mentioned, and Taobao and the like were just peripheral assets.
"Yes, aren't you interested in the internet? You'll be a junior in the second half of the year, not too busy, then come to the company for an internship. I'll let you manage the company, and you can also buy shares if you're willing."
Internet companies like to implement equity incentives.
Employees who make significant contributions later on will definitely be allocated a certain amount of equity.
Tan Jincheng will not be stingy in this regard.
With a certain percentage of equity, employees won't be easily poached.
Therefore, Tan Jincheng has an open attitude towards investing in Orange Technology; of course, it's impossible to allocate too much equity in the early stage, lest there isn't enough to go around in the future.
"I don't have money to invest, but joining as an employee is possible, though I don't have much time this semester."
Gu Qingqing said with a happy smile.
"Borrow from your dad, or just join as an employee. Think it through carefully, but business is business, I can only allocate up to 10% of the equity."
"Uh, are you serious?"
"Of course, I never joke about work matters."
Giving up 10% of the equity is feasible.
On the one hand, it reduces some of his financial pressure.
On the other hand, having equity and not having equity makes a difference in one's sense of participation in the company; those with equity will unconsciously take on the role of the boss.
Furthermore, as his career grows larger, Gu Qingqing, still on campus at this time, doesn't feel much pressure yet, but it will be different once she enters society.
Having her own career is very important for boosting her self-confidence.
Ancient marriages emphasized matching social status, which naturally has some truth to it.
Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing met before his rise to prominence.
In terms of family background, Gu Qingqing's family was well-off, but when it comes down to it, although the Tan family didn't have much money, a family with two state-owned enterprise employees was not bad in this era.
Both parents had retirement pensions, and marrying a wife was an advantage in any era, so in terms of their original families, the two could be considered a good match in social status, but the problem was that Tan Jin's rise to wealth was simply too fast.
So fast that everyone who knew him, even Tan Jincheng himself, hadn't fully reacted.
Currently, Tan Jincheng still drove an A6, rarely brought a driver, and generally solved problems he could by himself.
At this time, it wasn't easy for those around him to feel the pressure brought by wealth, but one must know that this situation would not last.
Even if Tan Jincheng was unwilling to change, it wouldn't be allowed after a while.
With more and more companies and growing assets, the team needed to help him manage would naturally also expand.
Even without deliberate extravagance in travel, an increase in accompanying personnel would be inevitable.
By then, if Gu Qingqing still had no sense of involvement as she did now, she would feel various pressures.
Even she herself and her family would become less confident; this is the pressure brought by wealth.
In an appropriate way and at an appropriate time, allowing Gu Qingqing and her family to participate to a certain extent, is a good option to reduce some potential hidden dangers in their future lives.
Currently, Orange Technology is the best opportunity.
Tan Jincheng couldn't say for sure about other things, but developing Happy Farm would definitely make money; this is a mini-game perfectly suited for the current internet environment.
Small investment, big returns, participating will bring the sense of achievement from entrepreneurship.
"If you're serious, then I really need to give it careful thought."
Seeing Tan Jincheng speak so earnestly, Gu Qingqing also became serious.
"Mm, you think it over carefully. You can discuss it with Uncle Gu and them, but no rush. I'll only have time to deal with Orange Technology matters after I've finished handling the automotive qualifications."
"What about recruitment and the company office building?"
"My assistant will handle these, but I need to contact your cousin first to ask if she's interested in coming over. Also, please keep an eye out for me at school; if there are any particularly outstanding seniors, you can get in touch with them."
Simple web games are actually not difficult.
Front-end development, back-end development, art design, and so on—a really good programmer could even complete the basic framework alone.
Tan Jincheng had played Happy Farm and QQ Stealing Vegetables.
Planting vegetables, fertilizing, pest control, system props—Tan Jincheng knew all these.
Its main attribute was still based on social interaction, emphasizing an interactive quality, and later spawned mini-games like Happy Ranch, Parking Wars, Friend Trading, and so on.
Regarding Happy Farm, Tan Jincheng's idea was to operate it himself for a period, then sell it to QQ, and through cooperation with QQ, use QQ's ecosystem to develop some subsequent derivative mini-games, especially Parking Wars.
The Parking Wars game is an excellent advertising channel.
Shanchi's trademark can be displayed on cars and motorcycles.
These mini-games are very popular in this era; they don't require much time, and interacting with friends can provide a good gaming experience.
During the long process of playing Parking Wars, cars and roadside advertisements can display Shanchi, Fengchi, and endorser images, which is a very good promotional method for the enterprise.
"Okay, I understand. I'll contact my cousin later."
"Mm, if possible, you can also contact Yongcheng University or your counselor to see if you can apply for a student entrepreneurship incentive. If there is, the company's legal representative can be under your name. The school's resources are quite good; maybe our venue problem will even be solved."
Yongcheng University is quite wealthy.
If we really secured incentives, providing some venues and equipment would be very reasonable, right?
"Huh? There's such a thing? Where did you hear all this?"
Gu Qingqing really didn't know about these things.
"Generally, universities have entrepreneurship support programs and such. Although I'm providing the funds, if both the legal representative and a shareholder are you, it can absolutely be considered a student entrepreneurship project. I'd just be the investor you attracted, picking up a bit of wool."
"I find you really cunning, always wanting to pick up a bit of wool everywhere. Giving me only 200 yuan at first, that was also to pick up some wool, wasn't it?"
"Hehe, it's business, save whenever you can."
(End of Chapter)