Returning to his senior year of high school, he went all in and made billions by buying at the botto

The sound of pages turning was clearly audible in the conference room.

Wu Huaqiang was initially calm, but as Chen Mo read through the pages, his fingers unconsciously clenched.

His initiative to approach Chuangsheng this time was indeed somewhat risky, even a bit far-fetched.

Would an institution that invests in capital be willing to spend money to support basic research?

He wasn't sure, and even said the chances were slim, but he had just returned to China and was researching the most expensive field of semiconductors. The school's funding couldn't be invested indefinitely, but this technology needed money the most, so he had to give it a try, even dragging the principal and the director of the institute along.

But this Mr. Chen in front of me is far too young.

Can such a person truly understand the patience required for a particular technological path?

A moment later, Chen Mo closed the document.

What problems can money solve?

Wu Huaqiang was stunned for a moment.

Wei Jun also slightly raised his head.

Chen Mo continued, "Equipment, materials, laboratory renovation, talent recruitment, overseas cooperation, and patent layout."

"What are the things that are currently holding you back?"

Wu Huaqiang realized what was happening and immediately said, "Card."

After saying that, he realized his words were too direct and paused for a moment.

But Chen Mo laughed.

"Okay, let's list them one by one."

Wu Huaqiang's eyes brightened noticeably.

"The most urgent needs right now are equipment and process platforms. Some material testing and manufacturing equipment is very expensive, and the approval process is slow."

"Secondly, there are people. This direction requires multidisciplinary collaboration in materials, devices, circuits, and processes. It is difficult for a single research group to make it large-scale."

"Next, we need long-term funding. We don't lack ideas, nor do we lack people willing to do the work."

He paused for a moment.

"But many young teachers and doctoral students cannot rely solely on enthusiasm to keep going."

That's a very true statement.

Qiu Yong glanced at Wu Huaqiang but did not stop him.

Now that we've come to create something new, there's no need to exaggerate the difficulties.

Chen Mo nodded.

"If support for gene creation is provided, Professor Wu, in what form would you prefer?"

Wu Huaqiang looked at Wei Jun.

Wei Jun began, "The initial idea is to establish a joint laboratory."

"The funding comes from the Innovation Fund, with Tsinghua University providing the research team, facilities, and academic system."

"The ownership of the results can be negotiated based on input and contribution."

"But the premise is that research directions cannot be tied to short-term commercial goals."

When he said the last sentence, Wei Jun's tone became noticeably more serious.

This is what they are most worried about.

Capital is a good thing, but if it keeps pressing for progress, products, and returns, it will lead basic research astray.

Chen Mo looked at him and said, "Director Wei, don't worry, I'm investing in semiconductors not to make a quick buck next year."

"In this field, five years is just the beginning; ten years is considered entry."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Chen Mo continued, "Chuangsheng can first obtain a sum of start-up capital for the purchase of joint laboratory equipment, team expansion, and early patent layout."

"Regarding the specific amount, I'll follow your budget."

Wu Huaqiang couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Chen, why don't you set an upper limit first?"

"Of course there is an upper limit."

Chen Mo said, "But I'd like to know first how much money you think it will take to get this done."

"If you try to appear frugal by understating the amount of money actually needed, it makes no sense for the project."

Wu Huaqiang remained silent, and Wei Jun did not speak immediately either.

This time, even Qiu Yong gently put down his teacup.

They considered many possibilities before they came.

Creation is willing to provide a small sponsorship, requires technological achievements in exchange, and is only willing to invest in commercial companies, not in laboratories.

Unexpectedly, Chen Mo's first reaction was to tell them not to lower the budget.

Wu Huaqiang finally said, "If it's just for getting started, 50 million RMB can do a lot of things."

"If you want to truly build a competitive platform..."

He paused for a moment.

"One to two hundred million."

After saying that, he himself felt that the number was a bit high.

But Chen Mo simply nodded: "Not much."

Wu Huaqiang was taken aback.

Not many?

Chen Mo looked at Lu Jingyi.

"This money will not come directly from the creation."

Lu Jingyi immediately understood what he meant.

"Jianing Holdings?"

"right."

Chen Mo tapped the tabletop lightly with his finger.

"Jianing Holdings needs to develop a semiconductor platform; it can't remain a shell company forever."

"The first real industrial investment was made in the Tsinghua joint laboratory."

The expressions of the people in the conference room all changed.

Qiu Yong and Wei Jun exchanged a glance, and Wu Huaqiang subconsciously sat up straighter.

They certainly know about Jianing Holdings.

It is a Hong Kong-listed company under Chuang Sheng Holdings.

If it's just a matter of generating capital providing the money, then it's more like a research grant.

However, if the investment is made by Jianing Holdings, the nature of the investment will be different.

This means that Chen Mo's decision was not made on a whim, nor was it simply a charitable act.

He is truly prepared to make semiconductors the main focus of Jianing Holdings' future.

Chen Mo continued, "Jianing Holdings will initially invest 200 million RMB to establish the Tsinghua-Jianing New Storage Joint Laboratory."

"The first phase lasts three years."

"Two hundred million is not the upper limit, it's just the starting point."

Wu Huaqiang's breathing visibly paused for a beat.

This number has exceeded their most optimistic expectations before they came.

More importantly, Chen Mo spoke too casually.

Qiu Yong finally spoke up: "Mr. Chen, this investment is not a small amount for Jianing Holdings."

Although the current market value of Canning Holdings has risen to around HK$600 million, it is still not a behemoth.

The sudden investment of 200 million RMB in basic research will definitely elicit a reaction from the outside world.

Chen Mo said, "Jianing Holdings will issue a transformation announcement."

"Our main business direction in the future will gradually shift from traditional trade and property leasing to semiconductor industry investment, technology transfer and advanced storage-related businesses."

"A joint laboratory is the first step."

Lu Jingyi took over the conversation.

"The funds will be invested in a legal and compliant manner. It can be research grants, or it can be used to establish a wholly-owned project company in China and then sign a joint laboratory agreement with Tsinghua University."

"The ownership of the results, patent rights, and subsequent industrialization are all written into the contract."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jun's expression visibly relaxed.

He was most afraid of capital making decisions based solely on enthusiasm, but as soon as Lu Jingyi opened her mouth, he knew that the other party was not a makeshift team.

Then Chen Mo looked at Wu Huaqiang: "I have three requirements for this laboratory."

Wu Huaqiang immediately replied, "Please speak."

"First, buy the best equipment."

"Second, the team should not revolve around just one person. It should be flat, and young teachers, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students should all be able to stay."

"Third, patents should be planned in advance."

Chen Mo spoke calmly.

"Technology can be slow, academic papers can be slow, but core patents cannot be slow."

Wu Huaqiang's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

He didn't expect that Chen Mo, an investor, would bring up the patent first.

This is precisely the aspect that many domestic research projects tend to overlook.

Wei Jun nodded and said, "Patent planning should indeed be done in advance, especially in cutting-edge fields like this. If we wait until the technology matures before making patents, we will be at a disadvantage."

Chen Mo said, "In the future, Jianing Holdings will establish a dedicated intellectual property rights team to assist you in patent applications and overseas expansion."

These words warmed Wu Huaqiang's heart.

What are researchers most afraid of?

What I fear most is that the things I work so hard to create will eventually be blocked layer by layer by foreign teams using patent networks.

Now, Chen Mo is not only providing money, but also a platform, and has even thought of patent defenses.

Qiu Yong pondered for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Chen, will Jianing Holdings prioritize the commercialization of laboratory results in the future?"

"meeting."

Chen Mo answered very directly.

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Chen Mo continued, "For the first three years, the focus will be on research platforms and core patents. If there are any commercially viable results, Jianing Holdings will have priority rights for industrialization cooperation."

"But we will not interfere with academic research or force short-term productization. Those who should publish papers will publish papers, and those who should apply for patents will apply for patents."

"If basic research is led by financial statements from the very beginning, it will end up achieving nothing."

After listening, Wei Jun finally smiled slightly: "I agree with what Mr. Chen said."

Wu Huaqiang also breathed a sigh of relief; he had originally prepared a whole host of explanations.

Now I realize that many things don't need to be said at all.

Chen Mo understands the boundaries between scientific research and industry better than he imagined.

Lu Jingyi lowered her head and made a few notes on the document.

"I will have the legal department of Jianing Holdings liaise with Tsinghua University."

Chen Mo added, "Don't be too rigid. Nodes are for management, not for delaying payments."

Lu Jingyi glanced at him.

"Know."

As Wu Huaqiang watched this scene, a strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

Although the young man in front of me doesn't understand the technical details, he does know how to build and delegate authority.

This is far more terrifying than many investors who only shout slogans.

The meeting continued.

Wei Jun began to explain in detail the list of equipment needed for the laboratory.

Wu Huaqiang then added details about the team composition, research direction, and first-phase goals.

Qiu Yong mostly listened from the sidelines, occasionally asking a key question.

Chen Mo listened very attentively.

When faced with highly technical parts, he won't pretend to know; he'll just ask directly.

By the end of the conversation, Wu Huaqiang had completely forgotten Chen Mo's age; he even subconsciously regarded him as an investor who truly understood the rhythm of the industry.

As the meeting drew to a close, Wu Huaqiang looked at the excessively young face before him and could no longer suppress his questions.

"Mr. Chen, may I ask a question?"

Chen Mo looked at him.

How old are you this year?

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Wei Jun also looked over, and Qiu Yong, though silent, was clearly curious as well.

Lu Jingyi sat beside her, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Chen Mo picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"eighteen."

Wu Huaqiang almost dropped the pen in his hand.

Wei Jun's gaze behind his glasses froze.

Qiu Yong was also visibly taken aback.

Eighteen years old.

At that age, at Tsinghua University, one would only be a freshman just entering the campus.

But this eighteen-year-old young man in front of us just spent a little over two hours setting up a joint semiconductor laboratory worth 200 million yuan.

Wu Huaqiang paused for a few seconds, then couldn't help but ask, "Is Mr. Chen currently a university student?"

"no."

Chen Mo smiled.

I'm a senior in high school this year.

The meeting room fell completely silent.

Chen Mo put down his teacup and continued, "However, after the college entrance examination, I plan to apply to Tsinghua University."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Qiu Yong.

"So strictly speaking, Principal Qiu."

"I'm here today to pay my respects in advance."