Chapter 85

: <Becoming a mid-sized company>
 

Woosung, this is Rich Miner. He is the co-founder of the Android and an adviser at Google Ventures.

Woosung’s eyes widened as he shook Rich Miner’s hand.
Logan said proudly,
Because of this guy, things worked out great! We will start on the new version release immediately.

Woosung exclaimed,
Oh! I’m glad to hear it.

Amelia murmured very quietly,
Whatever. I could’ve done it by myself.

Woosung didn’t hear it. He was so mesmerized by Rich Miner, who said to Woosung,
I have been following your phone, Blue S. It’s very impressive. Logan told me that you are interested in the open platform.


Haha, that’s correct. I believe in sharing technologies.

Rich Miner’s eyes glinted. Woosung continued.
But money is of course also important. I believe in a successful business as well.


Of course, and as you probably heard at the conference, the new version will be announced in September. The project is currently named Donut.

Woosung nodded. It was the same in his previous life. Rich Miner continued.
Can I ask you for a favor?

Woosung opened his arms.
Anything! I will try my best.


I am curious about how you optimized the hardware. There aren’t many reference phones so we haven’t had a lot of reported problems, but we are well aware of potential internal issues. It seemed like you managed to fix a lot of these problems.

Amelia answered for Woosung,
Indeed there were a lot of problems including the memory assignment. It was very difficult to work around them.

Woosung introduced Amelia to Rich.
Haha, this is our key developer. She was responsible for optimizing Android into the phone.


Oh!
Miner looked at Logan. When Logan nodded, Miner continued.
So this is her.

He then took out a Blue S from his pocket. He turned it on and opened various apps on it. He looked excited.

All the apps work so smoothly. I was pleasantly surprised.
He then turned to Woosung.
And Coconut Talk was also very impressive.

Miner’s compliments were never ending, but Woosung had a feeling that he didn’t come here just to flatter him, and he was right. Miner finally asked Woosung.

Does KND by chance have any investors? I know you already have profits, but I hoped that you may be interested in one.

Woosung turned to Logan, who explained.
I told him about some issues we are having at our company. Rich is very tight-lipped so don’t worry about him spreading any rumors.
Woosung nodded as Logan continued.
It just happened that his company is looking for technology exchange. They are impressed with Blue S, so they were hoping to get some advice on a few things including BSP. So I asked if Google could invest in us.

Miner explained.
We can do it right away. We believe in your company.

It was a great opportunity, but Woosung didn’t want to give up any shares and get unwanted business advice from another company.

I would be a fool not to be interested in Google’s investment, but I am concerned about losing any control over my company.

Shin Semi and Go Sangjun gawked at Woosung.
Did he just reject Google’s offer?
Miner licked his lips.
How about if we make it a straight-up financial investment? You won’t have to give up any control over your company.

It was clear that he really wanted this investment opportunity. Woosung answered tentatively,
If that’s the case, then it sounds promising.

Miner finally smiled.
Haha, I think this could be a win-win situation for both of us.

Logan added.
Rich told me about his new project, Google Ventures, and that’s how we got talking.

Miner smiled bitterly.
Because of the financial crisis, a lot of people were let go. When Google Ventures was created, many people thought it was not a good idea, but I thought differently.

Woosung suddenly perked up.
Did you say a lot of people were let go from Google?


Yes, unfortunately.


Would it be possible for me to hire all of them?

Miner looked at Woosung in surprise.
All of them?


KND is a growing company. We need more people.


Most were from the marketing department. Only a few were fired from the development department.


We haven’t started yet, but Coconut Talk will soon include sponsored advertisements. We need to place ads strategically and tastefully in the app so we need people for that. Woosung continued quickly.
I’m not saying I want to hire all of Google’s people from every country. Only those in the US. I will also be able to match Google’s salary.

Miner laughed.
Haha, it sounds like whatever money we invest in your company will be used to pay the salary for these people.


No worries. KND will grow very fast.

Shin Semi was listening silently. She glanced at Woosung.
Google.
It was the biggest name out there, yet Woosung acted confidently and indifferently.
Amelia was also looking at Woosung.
‘Hmm…’
Rich Miner shook Woosung’s hand and said with a happy tone on his voice,
It sounds like an amazing deal for us.

Woosung replied,
Please make sure it happens quickly.

Things did happen very fast. A 100-million-dollar investment was made and those that were let go by Google were immediately hired by KND. From 30 employees, KND suddenly expanded to over 100 employees.
Blue S continued to be sold out with excellent reviews from various IT sites.
Tel-Tech CEO’s office.
CEO Park Byungki read over the papers Jang Gwangchul brought. Jang Gwangchul explained with an enthused voice.

As you know, Google placed a significant investment into our company. Blue S is currently sold out in the US.


…


KND is a financially stable company. We also guarantee 100% succession of employment.


But the name Tel-Tech will disappear.


Think of it as it being reborn into the name KND. We would also love to have you as one of our vice presidents.

Jang Gwangchul did his best to convince Park Byungki. Tel Tech was knee-deep in debt, and this was the best hope it had, but Park Byungki still had difficulty letting it go.

I spent my entire youth on this company.


I am well aware of your hard work, and that is why we are offering you this deal.


I know that, but giving up this company means giving up on myself. I am 60 years old, and there will be no more new beginnings for me.


Think of it as becoming a part of something bigger.


I really wanted to do better, but here I am…

When Jang Gwangchul stopped responding to his complaints, Park Byungki finally said pointedly.

My company’s bank contacted me and is pushing me into this deal. They think this is the only way for me to pay back my company’s debt.


You know this is the way to go.


Is it just me or the deal your company offered is too good? You are offering to pay back all my debt and buy my share of the company at a fair price. You are also offering me a position as a vice president. The conditions seem too good to be true.


Our CEO is like that. He is young, but he is generous and fair.
Jang Gwangchul meant what he said.

Haha, that must be why. I would love to meet him sometime soon. Could I make my final decision after I see him?


Sure. He is on his way back to Korea.

Jang Gwangchul texted Woosung, who just arrived at Incheon International Airport. When he got the message, Woosung headed towards the Tel-Tech headquarter right away.