ryethenovel Chapter 309 Financing Ideas
Chapter 309 Financing Ideas
In late June in Los Angeles, the sun was already so intense that it could peel off a layer of skin.
The low hum of the air conditioner in the studio, mixed with the actors' lines in front of the green screen, became the background noise that Fu Yibai was most familiar with during this period.
The interior scenes of the Eternity spaceship were all filmed last week.
Yesterday we finished filming the scenes on the Cooper Space Station, and today is the last scene in the studio, where Cooper plucks the gravitational string in five-dimensional space.
Matthew McConaughey hovered on wires, making pushing, pulling, and shoving motions in front of a green screen covering the wall.
"Cut, this one's passed."
Fu Yibai put down the walkie-talkie.
There was a moment of silence in the studio, then applause erupted.
"Thank you all for your hard work."
All interior scenes have been filmed.
"Rest for three days, then head to Canada."
"Long live Director Fu!"
Someone shouted, and the studio erupted in laughter.
Fan Binbin walked over from the rest area, having removed her makeup and changed into a loose white T-shirt and denim shorts, with her hair casually tied in a ponytail.
She spent two months in the photography studio and lost a lot of weight.
"it's over?"
"The interior scene is finished."
Next, we'll be filming real scenes in cornfields in Canada and on Miller's Planet and Mann's Planet in Iceland.
"That concludes the matter."
Fan Binbin sat down next to him and handed him a glass of iced Americano.
"Have a drink, your voice is hoarse."
Fu Yibai took the cup and took a sip. The cool coffee slid down his throat, relieving the burning sensation.
He placed the coffee cup on the folding table and gently patted Fan Binbin's hand.
"Let's go home."
The two walked outside.
In the evenings of June in Los Angeles, the sky is ablaze with orange-red hues from the sunset, and the shadows of palm trees stretch long across the ground.
The heat wave rose from the asphalt road, and you could feel the warmth even through your shoes.
Guo Zhenni had already parked her car at the entrance of the photography studio.
"Mr. Fu, shall we go back to the villa?"
"Um."
The car drove out of the photography studio and merged into the traffic on Sunset Boulevard.
Fan Binbin leaned on Fu Yibai's shoulder, closed his eyes, and his breathing gradually became even and long.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
Fu Yibai took it out and glanced at it; the caller ID showed Li Mingde.
He answered the phone, lowering his voice.
"Feed".
"Mr. Fu, am I disturbing you?"
Li Mingde's voice came through the receiver, tinged with a hint of probing.
"No, you say."
"There's something I'd like to report to you."
Li Mingde paused, as if organizing his thoughts.
"Nebula Video's user growth and paid conversion rate have both exceeded expectations at the beginning of the year."
At the current rate, monthly active users are expected to exceed 80 million and paid members exceed 8 million by the end of this year.
Fu Yibai hummed in agreement and waited for him to continue.
"but--"
Li Mingde's tone became cautious.
Competition in the video industry is intensifying.
Youku, Tudou, and Sohu Video are all increasing their efforts in acquiring copyrights, and the copyright prices for top-tier content have begun to soar.
Last year, the exclusive rights to a medium-sized TV series cost only two or three million yuan, but this year the same series has already reached five or six million yuan.
"Add in bandwidth costs, server costs, and R&D investment, and Nebula Video's losses this year will be much larger than last year."
He paused.
"Mr. Fu, I've done the math."
If Nebula Video is to list on the ChiNext board within two years, we need to secure a round of external financing at this point.
Fu Yibai did not answer immediately.
Li Mingde was telling the truth.
Video websites are a typical money-burning industry. Content copyright, bandwidth servers, and R&D and operation are three huge burdens that cannot be managed without strong capital support.
Although Chenxi Group has ample cash flow, it is impossible for it to put all its money into Nebula Video.
Introducing external financing serves both as a means to replenish resources and as a stepping stone to an IPO.
What are your thoughts?
"I've contacted several investment firms."
Li Mingde's voice had gained a bit more confidence.
"Sequoia Capital, IDG Capital, and Hillhouse Capital have all expressed interest. Sequoia Capital offered the best terms, with a valuation of $1.5 billion, and they led the first round of funding, raising $200 million."
"$1.5 billion..."
Fu Yibai repeated the number.
For a video website to achieve this valuation in 2009 already demonstrates the capital market's recognition of Nebula Video.
But he didn't rush to express his opinion.
"Mr. Fu, do you think Sequoia Capital is a good fit?"
Li Mingde asked.
Fu Yibai leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on the palm trees flashing past the car window.
Sequoia Capital is undoubtedly a top-tier investment firm, and its presence and resources in the internet sector are beyond question.
However, Fu Yibai did not want his companies to have foreign capital, especially online video platforms that involve content distribution.
He pondered for a moment and then asked, "What about domestic investment institutions? For example, have you contacted CITIC Private Equity Funds or Shenzhen Capital Group?"
Li Mingde immediately replied, "We have been in contact with them, but in terms of valuation and terms, Sequoia Capital's offer is currently the most attractive."
Domestic institutions have more stringent requirements for profitability timelines, and there are also issues with resource coordination…
"Resource synergy can be discussed gradually, and valuation can also be discussed."
Fu Yibai interrupted him, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable determination.
"Nebula Video's future development must be rooted in the country."
Continue to engage in in-depth discussions with several leading domestic institutions, and thoroughly explain our long-term strategy and content self-production plan.
Over at the redwoods...
Maintain contact first, but don't make it your first priority.
"I understand, Mr. Fu."
Li Mingde understood the boss's intention.