If everyone is reborn, who will work for capital?

Chapter 66: Investing in "Food Delivery"

Jiaotong University Science and Technology Innovation Park Management Office.

Ring ring ring—!

Jin Zhilong put down his enamel teacup, leaned forward, and answered the landline phone.

[Straightforward]: "Hello, are you Director Jin Zhilong from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Science and Technology Innovation Park?"

[Kim Ji-yong]: "Yes, who are you?"

[Straightforward]: "Hello Mr. Jin, I'm Eric, an investment manager at Arctic Capital. We are a newly established fund in Hong Kong, focusing on early-stage internet investments."

[Jin Zhilong]: "Arctic Capital? Oh, hello."

Jin Zhilong quickly recalled, but had no recollection of this Arctic Capital, so his attitude wasn't particularly enthusiastic.

[Straightforward]: "That's right, Professor Jin. Our foundation is systematically reviewing the innovation ecosystem in the Yangtze River Delta. Jiaotong University Science and Technology Park is a key focus for us, both in terms of academic excellence and entrepreneurial achievements. We very much hope to establish a long-term relationship with the park and support outstanding entrepreneurs with a Jiaotong University background."

This was a carefully prepared speech by Geng Zhi, who specifically emphasized "systematic review" and "long-term contact" in order to instantly elevate the professionalism and sincerity of the conversation.

[Jin Zhilong]: "Thank you for your attention. Could you please introduce the specific background of your fund? I don't think I've heard of it before."

Jin Zhilong had previously received similar cooperation inquiries from some mainland investment institutions and had facilitated some small investments, so he did not have too many doubts.

But as a gatekeeper, it was his duty to find out the source.

[Straightforward]: "I understand. We are a new fund, but the core members of the management team have many years of experience in TMT investment. We are backed by international long-term capital and hope to find early-stage projects with truly innovative genes in mainland China."

Geng Zhi didn't intend to give Jin Zhilong a chance to delve into the details over the phone, and instead began to steer the communication to the safer email channel.

[Straightforward]: "If it's convenient, could we send a detailed introduction to the fund and its investment direction to your official email address? If you find a suitable team that is currently seeking funding in the future, could you please introduce us to them when it's convenient?"

[Jin Zhilong]: "Sure. Just send it to my email."

[Straightforward]: "Great! Is this the email address listed on the official website?"

Geng Zhi continued to dispel any possible doubts Jin Zhilong might have by confirming such public details.

[Jin Zhilong]: "Yes, this is it."

With the groundwork laid, Gengzhi began to get to the real goal.

[Straightforward]: "Okay, Professor Jin, I'll organize it and send it to you shortly. Also, I'd like to ask if there are any particularly active startup teams in the internet consumption field in our park recently?"

Jin Zhilong quickly filtered through the award-winning startup projects in the recent issues in his mind.

The entrepreneurial atmosphere on campus has been strong recently, and several outstanding projects have indeed emerged in recent years.

Aside from the medical device project, the most talked-about person recently is undoubtedly the "Jiaotong University matchmaker," who has become incredibly popular among universities in Shanghai.

[Jin Zhilong]: "There have always been active teams. For example, the 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' project, which won first prize in the entrepreneurship competition a while ago, is doing very well. It's about... well, dating and social networking for college students." He carefully considered his words.

There seemed to be a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

[Geng Zhi]: "Okay, Professor Jin. The Internet services field is also one of our areas of focus."

Jin Zhilong then realized that the other party had specifically asked about the "internet consumption field," while "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" was more accurately described as a social service provider.

When the other person added that comment, Jin Zhilong heard it as a considerate way of smoothing things over, easing the slight embarrassment of the inaccurate recommendation.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face. In order not to make the other party think he was unprofessional, he quickly brought up the "meal delivery" service as well.

After all, even Zhu Xiaohu commented that this project "has potential."

[Jin Zhilong]: "In the field of online consumption, there is also a pretty good student project called 'Fanjisong,' which is an online food delivery service."

Seeing that the other party seemed quite interested, he gave a brief introduction.

[Straightforward]: "Thank you so much, Professor Jin! The 'Food Delivery' project sounds like a perfect fit for our area of ​​interest. Of course, the 'Matchmaker' project you just mentioned is also very innovative. It would be great if we could get your recommendation."

A smile instantly appeared on Jin Zhilong's face.

Based on their explanation, Arctic Capital seems to be a very powerful institution with potentially substantial investment amounts.

If I can help projects in the park secure substantial investment through my connections, it will be a tangible achievement and a good reputation for the students, the park, and myself.

But he remained cautious.

[Jin Zhilong]: "Okay, Eric, as per procedure, please send your organization's detailed information to my email first. If the direction and conditions match, I can provide you with the contact information of the founders of these two projects so you can communicate directly."

[Straightforward]: "Okay, Professor Jin, I'll organize the materials and send them to your email right away. If you think it's suitable after your evaluation, would you please help me with an introduction? Thank you very much!"

[Kim Ji-yong]: "Okay, stay in touch."

[Straightforward]: "Thank you again! Goodbye, Teacher Jin."

About seven or eight minutes after hanging up the phone, an email with the suffix arcticcap.com was sent to Kim Ji-yong's official email address.

He opened the email and quickly browsed the well-made PDF introduction in the attachment: investment areas, core team background, Hong Kong office address... everything was included.

He then clicked on the official website link provided in the email and, based on his experience, did a quick check, basically confirming that Arctic Capital seemed legitimate and reliable.

Jin Zhilong could clearly see that Arctic Capital was more interested in Zhang Xuhao's "food delivery" project.

But after reading the email, he didn't call Zhang Xuhao first. Instead, he dialed Geng Zhi's number first.

Ring ring ring—!

Geng Zhi, who was riding his bicycle to the science and technology park, felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

He took out his phone and saw that it was a call from teacher Jin Zhilong, which surprised him slightly.

Why did Teacher Jin contact me so quickly?

[Straightforward]: "Hello, Teacher Jin!"

[Jin Zhilong]: "Xiao Geng, your 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' project is really booming lately!"

[Geng Zhi]: "Thank you, Teacher Jin! It's all thanks to Teacher Jin's guidance! Whether it's providing office space in the park or pointing out the direction for starting a business, it has saved our team a lot of detours."

Jin Zhilong felt relieved listening to this on the other end of the phone, and his smile widened.

[Jin Zhilong]: "Xiao Geng, your company has grown quite a bit now. What are your next plans? Have you started bringing in external funding yet?"

[Straightforward]: "Not yet, Mr. Jin. We do need funding for our future expansion. However... we probably can't afford an institution like Jinshajiang Venture Capital for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Jin Zhilong was secretly delighted, feeling that this favor had been given at just the right time.

[Jin Zhilong]: "Xiao Geng, you need to broaden your entrepreneurial horizons! There are many other excellent investment institutions besides Jinshajiang."

[Jin Zhilong]: "I anticipated your need for financing and have been keeping an eye out for you. We've just come across a Hong Kong-based firm with a strong background, and it seems like a good fit for your project. When would be a convenient time for you to come to my office to discuss this in detail?"

Geng Zhi feigned a startle, his tone tinged with surprise as he said:

"Really? That's wonderful! Ms. Jin, thank you so much! I... I'm on my way to the park now, it'll be about five minutes to your office!"