Chapter 75: Taking on the Duty
After hearing Xie Qing's words, an idea suddenly popped into Song Yang's mind, and he finally remembered where he had heard the name Feita.
Computers, software, and the Internet are constantly developing. In later generations, people's impression of antivirus and protection software mostly remains on software. This is the case for 360, Norton, Symantec, Kaspersky, etc.
However, with the development of the times, the demand for hardware security protection software is also increasing. Not only on computers, but also on small appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, and large appliances such as airplanes, cars, and even mechanical production equipment, there is also a need for security protection.
At this time, the concept of UTM, or unified threat management, emerged to solve the security problems arising from these products.
Xie Qing, who is standing in front of us, founded Fortinet, which was the first company to launch security products with this concept. He is also the father of UTM...
Xie Qing didn't know why, but suddenly he felt that Song Yang's gaze towards him seemed a little strange.
He didn't know if it was because of his theory, Xie Qing explained to Song Yang, "UTM was proposed by me, it's just a concept, it hasn't been recognized by everyone yet, it may not be accurate..."
“The father of UTM!”
Hearing Song Yang's words, Xie Qing was suddenly stunned. He had never thought of calling himself the ancestor of Taoism. No matter what industry or profession, those who can be given the title of father are undoubtedly the pioneers of that industry.
Xie Qing's face flushed when Song Yang suddenly called him the father of UTM. This title was too great. If it really got out, he would be the most accomplished person after coming to Silicon Valley from China, excluding Wang An, Song Yang, and Yang Zhiyuan!
Waving his hands quickly, Xie Qing became a little stuttering. He was suddenly called the father of UTM. Xie Qing was afraid that it would get out and make people laugh. "That's not right. UTM is just an idea. I can't be called the father of UTM at all..."
Song Yang sighed. Xie Qing still retained his domestic habits and was too thin-skinned. If it were those Americans , they would have given themselves this title long ago. Anyone who dared to question him would be challenged to a duel with a gun.
"You are the father of UTM. No matter who asks you in the future, you must say this. No one understands what UTM is better than you. You have brought Internet security into a new era!" Song Yang said to Xie Qing.
After Song Yang taught Xie Qing everything he knew, he took a sip of tea, looked at Xie Qing and said, "I am very optimistic about the development of Fortinet. Sooner or later, the concept of network security will change from simple software security to a security management platform that integrates software, hardware and the Internet. The security of the global Internet needs Fortinet to protect it!"
This meal of chicken soup made Xie Qing, who was a few years older than Song Yang, feel excited. Who doesn't want to achieve great things and be admired by the world? In modern society, apart from war, achievements can be made in other areas.
"you sure?"
Xie Qing continued to talk to Song Yang, "UTM is still just a concept. No one knows how far it can go, and Fortinet doesn't know when it will be profitable."
Having spent a few years in Silicon Valley, but having spent most of his time studying at Stanford, Xie Qing didn't know much about the market in Silicon Valley. If it were someone else, they would have praised Fortinet to the skies by now, but Xie Qing was the only one who was afraid of being cheated by Song Yang.
"Don't worry, customer. I will help Fortinet solve this problem. In fact, we invited you to come here and invest in Fortinet because we need Fortinet's security technology support!"
In terms of technical requirements, Song Yang really can't help Feita much, as he is not an expert in that area.
But when it comes to helping Fortinet, not to mention Hotmail, which is a ready-made partner, there is also ICQ and others that need Fortinet to provide security technology. In addition, DoubleClick is a company that sells advertising, and helping Fortinet to attract a number of partners and sell anti-virus software, hardware firewalls and the like are just side issues.
"Also, don't worry. As long as there is no major change in Fortinet, I will not interfere with the operation and management of Fortinet. I can give the voting rights to you as an agent!"
After hearing what Song Yang said, Xie Qing couldn't think of any reason to refuse, not to mention that now, Song Yang was the only one in the entire Silicon Valley willing to invest in Fortinet. Compared with those venture capital companies, the conditions and resources provided by Song Yang were obviously much better.
Anyway, Xie Qing, I have never heard of any venture capital company in Silicon Valley that only invests and does not interfere with the company and founders, let alone give the voting rights to the founders.
"I can't think of a reason to refuse. How much do you want to invest?" Xie Qing raised his head and looked at Song Yang. Xie Qing thought that as long as the price Song Yang offered was not too outrageous, he would be willing to accept it.
"One million and five hundred thousand dollars, I want 40% of Fortinet's equity, and if Fortinet needs financing in the future, I want to lead the investment!"
After obtaining 40% of Fortinet's equity and leading a few more rounds of financing, Song Yang will basically become a major shareholder of Fortinet.
Song Yang thought for a moment and said, it sounds like he is now the founder of a company worth hundreds of millions of US dollars, but in fact he is just bluffing.
Song Yang could only use US$6 million of the money he got from Martin Soro. He spent nearly one-fifth of the money on buying Ferraris and villas, and used part of the rest to exchange equity with Yahoo, invest in America Movil, Hotmail, ICQ project, Siebel Automobile Club, and acquire several plots of land in San Jose. In addition, he donated part of the money to the Bruno Foundation, Adrian, Devers School, etc.
Song Yang doesn't have much cash to spend now. The outside world may not believe that he has invested 1.5 million US dollars, but in fact Song Yang's pocket is almost dry again. He will have to take out some money when he meets old Bruno in a few days. As the founder of a billion-dollar company, Song Yang's cash flow is basically running out.
Of course, it's not that they can't come up with the money. Wang Laboratories invested several million US dollars in Hotmail. DoubleClick has a lack of revenue, but it also has cash flow. Or they can foolishly use the funds in America Movil's account. But using the money from these places basically means that Song Yang's work for the past six months has been in vain, and he will end up getting into trouble.
However, Song Yang is not too worried. As long as he can get the Hotmail business started this year and find a sponsor to take over, Song Yang will have a large sum of cash in his hands. When America Movil's Chicago to Wall Street line is completed next year, Song Yang will not have to worry about funds at all.
After hearing Song Yang's conditions, Xie Qing valued Fortinet at four million US dollars. This valuation was not surprising in the current hot Internet market, but it was not too low either. At least it was considered quite sincere!
Xie Qing thought for a moment and extended his hand to Song Yang, "I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation!"
Xie Qing felt that the probability of a breakdown when working with Song Yang, who could speak Mandarin, understood the domestic situation, and understood the Internet industry, was much lower than when dealing with those who spoke bird language.
"Silicon Valley, another company founded by yellow-skinned people is going to appear!" Song Yang raised his teacup and clinked glasses with Xie Qing with tea instead of wine.
Song Yang then asked Greg to draft a contract and talked to Xie Qing about starting Qifei Tower to provide anti-virus software functions for Hotmail mailboxes.
"In other words, Fortinet needs to embed a virus scanning function into the Hotmail mailbox web page?"
Xie Qing is a real expert in network security and quickly understood what Song Yang needed him to do.
Song Yang nodded, "Time is a bit tight, Hotmail mailbox needs to be tested internally at the end of the month, Forita is very tight on time!"
Xie Qing turned on the computer and looked at his Hotmail mailbox for a while. Then he thought for a while and said, "I can try it here. Transfer all the people in Fortinet to this project. There should be a chance to launch the virus scanning function before opening it to external registration."
Looking at the Hotmail mailbox on the computer web page, Xie Qing felt it was easy to use even after only using it a few times. It was much more convenient, simple and quicker than any email mailbox he had used before.
He knew that this was also an opportunity for Fortinet. If Hotmail could become a hit, then Fortinet's antivirus software, which provided security support for Hotmail, would also be able to soar!
When Xie Qing went upstairs to the Hotmail mailbox development department to talk with Wesley and others, Greg came to Song Yang.
Greg was also troubled by Song Yang's continuous investment. "Is this Fortinet company really worth that much money?"
"Hotmail needs Fortinet, this shouldn't be a losing deal!"
"I want to remind you to pay attention to your financial situation. I don't want to get a call one day about your bankruptcy!" Greg warned Song Yang. He always felt that what Song Yang was doing was a bit risky.
In the evening, Song Yang took Xie Qing, Gallo and others to Chinatown in Houston.
When I got here, I felt it was obviously different from other places. Various familiar accents such as Cantonese and Fujianese rang in my ears from time to time.
Song Yang and his companions arrived at the restaurant that they had booked long ago . After entering, they saw quite a few people sitting at several tables. Most of them were people from China who came to Houston and gathered here to eat. It was not easy for them to get together, so it was naturally a bit more noisy.
Seeing Song Yang and others arrive, the kitchen immediately started serving dishes. These were not dishes that had been modified to suit the tastes of Americans, but authentic domestic dishes.
Song Yang, who had not eaten domestic food for a long time, could not help but feel a little more expectant at this time. Gallo held the chopsticks awkwardly, looking at Song Yang and Xie Qing who had already started eating the appetizers with chopsticks. Seeing that Song Yang was eating happily, Gallo gave up resisting and directly used the fork to eat.
After taking a bite of the roast duck, Xie Qing looked very satisfied and said to Song Yang, "It's a little inferior to what we have in China, but it's really not easy to eat this in America. I've been here for a few years, and this is the first time I've eaten something so authentic!"
