Volume 2: Storm Rising 2015 Chapter 386 Mobike Technology
As the two leading players in the future shared bicycle field, compared with the rapid development of ofo, Mobike Technology, which has not even sprouted yet, is indeed in the most difficult stage of its entrepreneurship.
Not only had the startup capital been mostly burned through, but there was no result yet. Mobike Technology's chief technical engineer, Mr. Chen, also simply quit his job.
This has also caused Hu Weiwei, the founder of Mobike Technology, to be extremely anxious.
As an automotive journalist who has been in the industry for ten years, Hu Weiwei has also built a solid network of contacts in this small field.
At the same time, as a caring person, Hu Weiwei has been working very hard to build up her personal network. She even organized an offline auto salon, inviting the auto industry leaders she interviewed to discuss topics such as the rapid development of technology and automobiles.
It was this unintentional act that allowed Hu Weiwei to meet her benefactor, successfully obtaining the first investment and establishing Mobike Technology, in order to fulfill the dream that had always been deeply buried in Hu Weiwei's heart.
During his ten-year career as an automotive journalist, Hu Weiwei often traveled through the streets and alleys, and walked between office buildings and skyscrapers. Based on his own experience, he has his own unique insights into the travel experience.
Hu Weiwei has a deep understanding of how much effort it takes just to not be late for work in this small piece of land in Beijing.
As a worker living outside the third ring road of Beijing, if I want to take the subway, I have to take the bus first, then squeeze into the bus and then take the subway, then squeeze into the bus again after taking the subway, and finally I have to rush to work to barely avoid being late.
While fiddling with transportation, Hu Weiwei thought countless times how great it would be to have a smart bicycle that could be used seamlessly.
Not only does it make commuting to and from get off work more convenient, it can also play a significant role when completing some daily interviews at work.
It's like the solar skateboard in Conan, but obviously, such a smart means of transportation does not exist in China, let alone abroad.
Since there is none, why not make it yourself!
Of course, it’s not Conan’s solar skateboard, but a smart bicycle.
During an offline salon chat, Hu Weiwei made public this . Instead of causing ridicule from the bigwigs, it triggered a brainstorming session.
Everyone agreed that this was an interesting thing to do, and they enjoyed discussing this idea. It would be very interesting if it could really be done.
However, the results of the discussion were not satisfactory. From a technical point of view, it is not difficult to realize the basis of intelligent bicycles. The biggest problem is the cost!
After a discussion, the bosses generally believed that it was too expensive to make a smart bicycle.
Spending so much money on smart bicycles is not in line with the profit-seeking nature of capital. After all, no matter how smart it is, isn't it still a bicycle?
Hu Weiwei was a little disappointed with the result of the discussion, but a big shot put forward a different opinion.
"In my opinion, the concept of intelligent bicycles is not difficult to realize. It would be best if we could combine it with the popular concept of sharing economy and try to develop it into shared bicycles. It might be easier to achieve..."
The speaker was none other than Li Wenwu, the most influential figure in this salon. After all, the company he founded was the first domestic automotive Internet company to be listed overseas!
This alone has made Li Wenwu a big shot who has a great influence on the domestic automotive Internet industry, not to mention that he also founded NIO and is engaged in the car manufacturing business in full swing.
The boss's words were like the morning bell and evening drum, which immediately opened up Hu Weiwei's mind. Isn't the concept of shared bicycles exactly what she wants?
Hu Weiwei put all her ideas forward and had a very pleasant conversation with Li Wenwu, and successfully impressed the boss, who agreed to help Hu Weiwei complete this task in the name of an angel investor.
With the advice of a noble person, Hu Weiwei resolutely quit her job and founded Mobike Technology at the beginning of the year, working hard to create intelligent bicycles.
For this purpose, Hu Weiwei invited Chen Gong, a senior bicycle designer, and gave Chen Gong his ideal intelligent bicycle product design plan.
In order to achieve an eye-catching effect from the very beginning and at the same time realize the convenience of smart riding, Hu Weiwei envisions that the product needs to have smart lock and satellite positioning functions.
In this way, it will be convenient for users to use it whenever they want, and it will also be convenient for operation. In addition, there must be no chains and no tire blowouts.
Only by meeting these requirements can we ensure that users do not have to face the problem of maintenance after the product is put on the market.
After all, with the development and progress of the times, it is no longer an easy task to find a bicycle repair shop in the city.
From a rational point of view, Hu Weiwei's ideas are really too advanced.
This idealistic pursuit and demand for perfection in products turned Hu Weiwei into the evil party A, and also caused senior designer Chen Gong to suffer.
After a full ten-month research and development cycle, most of the first angel fund given by Li Wenwu was spent, but there was still no result that satisfied Hu Weiwei.
This also made Mr. Chen completely desperate.
Even if a bicycle that meets this standard is manufactured, its cost would be so high that it would have to be put aside, which is really unrealistic.
In the end, Mr. Chen, who had different ideas and could not work together, had no choice but to part ways with Hu Weiwei.
The money was almost gone, the designer had left, and after nearly a year of hard work, Mobike Technology was still standing still...
This result made Hu Weiwei too embarrassed to contact the big boss Li Wenwu. She was too ashamed to even talk about it.
From an entrepreneurial perspective, this project seems not far from failure.
But Hu Weiwei was unwilling to give up. Was it really because she was too idealistic? Was it really unacceptable to pursue better products?
Just when Hu Weiwei was completely desperate, a sudden phone call interrupted her depressed mood.
"Hello, I'm Lu Sifang from Dongsheng Investment. I wonder if it's convenient for me to talk to Mr. Hu. Dongsheng Investment is very interested in what Mobike Technology is doing..."
Hu Weiwei was stunned, and a feeling of ecstasy welled up in her heart uncontrollably. Isn't this just like when you are at the end of your rope, there is always a way out!
"Of course! I'm always free! I'll come over wherever you are!" Hu Weiwei said happily.
Hu Weiwei swept away her depression. The most important thing at the moment was to find ways to retain the investor. As long as she had the money, she could find another designer!
During her ten-year career as a journalist, in addition to meeting many bigwigs, she also met many senior designers!
As long as we can get investment, we can . As long as we can make products that meet our requirements, this intelligent bicycle will surely have a stunning effect once it comes out!
"We're here, but this alley is a bit winding. Please, Mr. Hu, come out and lead us..." Lu Sifang said helplessly.
The alleys in Beijing are so authentic!
