Yahoo's Jerry Yang: the most regretted not accept Steve's Offer-Yahoo, Yang Zhiyuan, jobs-IT information
Jerry Yang is famous too early. He was 47 years old this year, has always been known as the "founder of Internet 1.0 era", or "former pioneer" and he founded Yahoo, also ended his early landscapes become the giants of old. The Internet "Veterans", if looking back at his ups and downs for more than 20 years, is there anything he wants to do again?
Is should be more vigorously attack Google search? Is to accept Microsoft's $ 44.6 billion takeover offer? Or even offer to buy Facebook?
Fact – he replied, unexpectedly and he had something.
In an event organized by the Chinese Association for science and technology in Silicon Valley HYSTA, Yang was asked this question. Although stressed that he is looking forward, but he is told that he half-joking "regrets":
"Almost happened between 1999-2000--at the time, Yahoo is still very great, so many people want to be on Yahoo. Three people who I respect, John Chambers (Cisco's CEO and Chairman), Andrew Groove (then Intel CEO), and Steve jobs, want me to join them in the company's Board of Directors. That means I have to choose between Cisco, Intel and Apple. ”
Mr Yang chose which company? Well, he chose scene is not two, but now is gradually disappearing as the Cisco and Yahoo, and he missed the Apple, has now become the most valuable technology company on the planet. So, Yang said,
"Though in Cisco's Board of Directors, I had a great 12, but perhaps I should choose to accept Steve's Offer. ”
At this time, feel should be accompanied by CHOW's classic lines: once, jobs put an Offer in front of me, I don't have to cherish, until joining the Cisco regret ... ...
Of course, this is just his joke. He hasn't needed aura of Apple's Board--outside of empire built out Yahoo, in this age of everyone is an angel investor, he should have a nickname called "the most successful investors in Silicon Valley". Because 10 years ago he led Yahoo's investment in Alibaba, other than the amazing return on Yahoo, but also became the company's lifeline.
At first, US $ 1 billion for Yahoo's got a 30% stake in Alibaba, though in 2012, Alibaba, Yahoo bought back 17% shares at a price of US $ 7.6 billion, but Yahoo remaining 16% shares, according to Alibaba's shares now, and still more than 37 billion dollars. And now Yahoo's value as a whole, but also of more than 40 billion dollars.
Everyone marveling at his eyes. 1 billion dollars ' worth of stock, not profitable investment of Alibaba, the risk is huge. So, is it because at the time decided to invest, Yang knew it would one day become so large?
Yang said that once there is a fine line between madman and genius, but in his view, MA is crossing the insane line becomes a genius man. "When we first met, Jack (Jack MA) concerned only with Alibaba's expansion. He was very far-sighted, really in the next 100 years. "Mr Yang said. It is this extreme concentration, coupled with a great team, into the cause of Yang decided to invest in Alibaba. "If you see him, seeing his vision, you will believe him. ”
Since leaving Yahoo, Jerry Yang founded his own investment company AME Cloud Ventures. AME has invested more than more than 50 startups, including Evernote, Wattpad and Tango. Now, Jerry grey hair has some grey also like self-deprecating about his age, but the opening a Web 1.0 era, but also experienced bumps in the 2.0 era legend, are in this new way, become an entrepreneur in the Web 3.0 age again.