thefictionvixens Chapter 166 Crowdsourcing + Gamification
Chapter 166 Crowdsourcing + Gamification
Chapter 166 Crowdsourcing + Gamification
Sizzle—!
Qi Chuqin's outright refusal was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the hopes that had just been ignited in Geng Zhi and Lü Sifeng.
The office was silent for a few seconds.
Geng Zhi took a deep breath, wanting to offer some more advice.
He elevated the significance of mapmaking: "Professor Qi, you understand even better than I do that map data is crucial to national warfare—"
Geng Zhi had barely opened his mouth when Qi Chuqin waved his hand to interrupt him.
"Xiao Geng," Qi Chuqin smiled wryly, "I'm almost retired. You can ask me to write code and run algorithms, no problem. But asking me to raise funds, manage a team, or fight in the business world—this isn't my battlefield, I'm simply not cut out for it."
"I'm not a good manager. Just look at our lab and you'll see," Qi Chuqin said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Geng Zhi remained silent, and Lü Sifeng lowered his head without saying a word.
Qi Chuqin paused for a moment, then continued, "I admit that mobile internet is an inevitable trend, but my understanding may not be keeping up with the pace of you young people. I've spent my whole life in academia, and I'm used to being rigorous and taking my time to do things meticulously."
"But the pace of your internet company is so fast, you want to release a new version every week and see data results every two weeks—I can't keep up with that pace."
After saying this, Qi Chuqin leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. It was as if a burden had been lifted, or as if he had just given up a golden opportunity.
He turned to look out the window, then fell silent, his face filled with a complex expression.
The room fell silent again, this time for even longer than before.
Finally, it was Geng Zhi who broke the silence first, tentatively saying, "Professor Qi, I have another plan. Would you like to hear if it's feasible?"
Seeing that his attempts to persuade Professor Qi Chuqin were ineffective, Geng Zhi prepared to unveil his pre-prepared Plan B.
Qi Chuqin turned his head, his eyebrows twitching slightly: "Xiao Geng, what do you say?"
Geng Zhi glanced at his senior brother Lü Sifeng, then looked at Professor Qi Chuqin, and asked, "If I were to partner with Senior Brother Lü to establish a map company, temporarily affiliating with your company until we obtain our Class B qualification, would that be feasible?"
Lu Sifeng was visibly taken aback by this unexpected remark.
He opened his mouth, then his eyes flickered, as if he was processing this sudden information.
He turned to look at Geng Zhi, stammering twice, "Junior brother, I—I—I still—"
He looked at Geng Zhi, then at Qi Chuqin, and said nothing more. His gaze shifted back and forth between the two, finally settling on his mentor's face.
Qi Chuqin pondered for a moment, then looked up at Lü Sifeng and nodded: "That's acceptable."
"Senior Brother Lü, what do you think?" Geng Zhi turned to look at Lü Sifeng with a smile.
"Junior brother—I—" Lu Sifeng hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I'm still the CT0 at Mingfan Technology. If I go and work on the mapping, what will happen to Momo?"
"I will find someone to replace you, perhaps Senior Brother Song Qing, or perhaps someone else," Geng Zhi said calmly.
"Oh, then—" Lü Sifeng paused, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times, before asking the question he cared about most, "What about the Mingfan Technology options I hold?"
"According to our previous agreement, the company will pay for the buyback at the agreed price," Geng Zhi replied earnestly, completely in a businesslike manner.
Now the tables have turned, and it's Qi Chuqin's turn to look at his student Lü Sifeng with curiosity.
Lu Sifeng fell silent instantly.
This silence is a sign of inner turmoil, with two conflicting thoughts raging within.
He could understand, or at least part of, the prospects of the map business that Geng Zhigang described.
He also believed Geng Zhi's assessment that "mobile maps will definitely have a bright future."
If the map company can succeed, and if it can truly seize the initiative in mobile maps as Geng Zhi said, its future may be limitless.
But can a newly established map company really gain a foothold in the face of map products from large companies like Gaode, Baidu, NavInfo, and Tencent?
Even if we manage to establish a foothold, how large is the market potential? And how exactly do we make money?
He racked his brains for a long time, but still couldn't understand.
Starting a map business from scratch is fraught with unknowns. Technical pitfalls, financial pressures, and market competition—any one of these could crush a new company.
But being the CTO at Mingfan Technology is different.
Alum Technology's valuation could reach US$2.5 million in the near future.
As long as the company performs well in the future, and as long as he stays with the company, his stock options, converted into RMB, will be worth tens of millions.
Starting a map company from scratch with my junior colleague Geng meant giving up tens of millions of yuan—
If the new company fails, the losses will be enormous.
One is a relatively certain future, and the other is a completely uncertain future.
It's a difficult choice.
Lu Sifeng blinked, finally mustering the courage to ask, "Junior brother, if we establish a map company, what will the start-up capital and our equity distribution be like?"
Geng Zhi, who had been staring at Lü Sifeng for a long time, smiled slightly: "I will provide all the start-up capital and take the majority share. Senior Brother Lü, you will contribute your technical expertise and become the second largest shareholder."
After speaking frankly, he turned to Professor Qi Chuqin and said, "Professor Qi, I would also like to invite your company to invest in us. You can also participate as the chief scientific advisor and provide guidance on key areas."
Geng Zhi's suggestion here, that Professor Qi Chuqin's company invest in the company, rather than Qi Chuqin himself, is based on multiple considerations.
Qi Chuqin is a staff member within the system, and if he personally holds shares, it may involve some compliance issues, affecting his academic standing and project applications. However, Qi Chuqin's company, as an independent legal entity, is somewhat separated from Qi Chuqin's personal identity.
Moreover, corporate shareholding is superior in terms of both tax efficiency and exit flexibility.
His straightforward words struck a chord with Qi Chuqin.
Qi Chuqin suppressed his joy and asked calmly, "Xiao Geng, could you elaborate on your thoughts?"
Geng Zhi was delighted upon hearing this, but remained outwardly composed as he explained, "Professor Qi, your company's technology, patents, and team can be valued as equity. We can cooperate using a combination of [resources for equity + commercial agreement 1]."
Geng Zhi flipped the whiteboard over again, erased what he had just written, picked up a marker, and explained as he wrote: "Your company can acquire 10% of Rabbit Map's equity, with 5% held directly and the other 5% acquired through a resource-for-equity swap. Rabbit Map will pay you a corresponding data usage fee annually, and your company can also provide technical consulting services for a fee. Academic papers and patent applications can be co-authored —"
Geng Zhi went on and on, explaining his entire plan in detail to Qi Chuqin.
From equity structure to business terms, from technological cooperation to academic output, every detail has been taken into consideration.
Professor Qi Chuqin was overjoyed.
He sat in the chair, his expression still restrained, but his eyes had begun to gleam.
Because under this straightforward design, Qi Chuqin Company can obtain a triple return of equity appreciation, cash income, and academic success, making it extremely profitable.
Qi Chuqin nodded slightly.
Seeing that his mentor had agreed, Lü Sifeng's concerns were significantly reduced.
Just as he was about to ask another question, Geng Zhi spoke first: "I will set up a separate investment holding company, holding 55% of the shares. Brother Lü, as the core operator and CEO, you will hold 20%. We will also set up a shareholding platform to hold 15% of the options pool, and I will be the GP."
"Senior Brother Lü, you can carefully weigh whether you want to stay at Mingfan Technology as a CT0 developer, or start from scratch to create Rabbit Maps, which is riskier but also more rewarding, and become its CEO."
"Me? Me, the CEO? I'm afraid I can't do it—" Lu Sifeng shook his head subconsciously.
Geng Zhi didn't say anything more, gestured to go to the restroom, and left Qi Chuqin's office.
Only Qi Chuqin and Lü Sifeng remained in the room.
"Professor Qi, I—" Lu Sifeng hesitated before speaking.
"Xiao Lü, what are your true thoughts?" Qi Chuqin asked with a smile.
"Junior Brother Geng's rabbit map impressed me; making rabbit maps is something I'm better at. But—I'm worried—"
"But are you worried that you'll end up with nothing, losing all the stock options you currently hold in Alum Technology?"
"Yes, part of it. Another reason is that Junior Brother Geng wants me to be the CEO, but I'm afraid I can't do it," Lü Sifeng said in a low voice.
Qi Chuqin looked at Lü Sifeng meaningfully and said, "Little Lü, do you think that Xiao Geng's suggestion to make a rabbit map today was a spur-of-the-moment thing?"
"No," Lü Sifeng hurriedly shook his head, "Two months ago, after chatting with Zhang Xuhao of Ele.me, Junior Brother Geng mentioned to me that he wanted to invite you to start a business."
"I knew it! Xiao Geng's preparations today were so thorough, he must have thought it through carefully—" Qi Chuqin's words trailed off abruptly.
"Xiao Lü, you mean, Xiao Geng knows Zhang Xuhao? They're very close?" Qi Chuqin's eyes widened.
"Yes, Junior Brother Geng and Zhang Xuhao often eat chicken hot pot together, and they communicate quite frequently," Lü Sifeng answered honestly.
Qi Chuqin was stunned.
No wonder!
Qi Chuqin finally understood why Zhang Qinghua, who had always been so obedient to her, suddenly became a partner at Ele.me and even mentioned taking a leave of absence from school.
Geng Zhi, it must have been Geng Zhi who brought them together!
So straightforward!
"The case is solved! Another case solved!" Qi Chuqin murmured unconsciously.
"Huh? Professor Qi, what case did you solve?" Lu Sifeng asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing—" Qi Chuqin turned around, picked up a cup from his desk, took a couple of sips of water, calmed himself down for a few seconds, and sighed softly.
"Xiao Lü, I believe that Xiao Geng's map-making is not just about creating simple map infrastructure. There may be strategic considerations behind it as well."
"Huh?" Lü Sifeng was slightly surprised. "Professor Qi, you mean...?"
"I'm not sure either," Qi Chuqin shook his head. "Maybe he doesn't want to tell us yet, or maybe he feels we wouldn't understand even if he told us. But since he's going to do it, he must have some confidence in it, don't you think?"
"Yes, I believe in Junior Brother Geng. He always sees further than most people." Lü Sifeng nodded emphatically.
"That's right. I don't know how many stock options he gave you for Alum Technology. If it's 2%, then think about it, as long as the future value of Rabbit Map reaches one-thousandth of Alum Technology's, you won't lose out." Qi Chuqin smiled as he looked at his eldest disciple.
After comparing Qi, Chu, and Qin, Lü Sifeng suddenly realized the truth.
Qi Chuqin slowly walked up to Lü Sifeng and gently patted his shoulder: "Little Lü, do you trust Xiao Geng's judgment of people?"
"Yes, I believe it! History has proven it," Lü Sifeng said without hesitation.
"That settles it. The fact that he entrusted such an important task to you proves that he trusts your abilities."
"Hmm—Professor Qi makes a lot of sense." Lü Sifeng's confidence grew even stronger.
Qi Chuqin reassured him further, "Rabbit Map's initial focus is on technology and resources, which are exactly what you and I excel at. As for business operations, he'll take care of that. Once you have more experience, you'll be a qualified CEO."
"Thank you for your guidance, Professor Qi. I understand now."
Lu Sifeng hurriedly thanked him, but in his heart he kept thinking: Professor Qi is indeed Professor Qi!
Just then, Geng Zhi, who had returned from the restroom, walked back into the office.
"Senior Brother Lü, how about we call it a day and you go back and think it over carefully?"
Lu Sifeng shook his head: "Junior brother, I agree to join Rabbit Map."
upright:"???"
Five minutes later.
Under persistent questioning from Qi Chuqin and Lü Sifeng, Geng Zhi began to seriously explain his initial plan for creating the rabbit map.
"The POI data from NavInfo and AutoNavi are mostly commercial POIs—shopping malls, large restaurants, and office buildings. Let's first buy the basic data for Shanghai from them as a base map, and then combine it with the data from Professor Qi Chuqin's company—"
"We will refine and perfect Shanghai, creating a model city and differentiating ourselves from other competitors —"
"Our Rabbit Map can combine gamified gameplay with a points system and a level system to encourage broad user participation—"
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"Crowdsourced POI collection → User uploads photo + GPS coordinates + text description → Backend review + automatic deduplication → Data entry → Feedback to map product → User receives points reward → Continue uploading ————"
"As long as our crowdsourcing model works, users will help us mark where the community entrance is, where the bus/subway stations are, where a specific building is located inside the community, which roads are one-way streets, and which intersections are congested —"
"This is a positive cycle: the more users, the more data; the more data, the better the product; the better the product, the more users. As long as you can get through the cold start phase, then it will be exponential growth."
"Over time, we at Rabbit Map have these micro-scale landmarks, but no other map provider has them. This is our moat."
Qi Chuqin and Lü Sifeng listened attentively to Geng Zhi's plan, both of them quite excited.
Especially Qi, Chu, and Qin.
-
He's spent half his life doing urban computing, so he knows all too well the value of this micro-scale data.
If Geng Zhi's vision can be realized, it will be more than just a map app; it will be a platform for collecting urban data. With a large enough volume and high enough detail, the value to industries such as transportation and local services will be enormous.
Seeing the increasingly excited expressions on their faces, Geng Zhi couldn't help but continue showing off: "Moreover, if we turn this concept into a game in the future, and collect data from players all over the world using gamification—"
He was only halfway through speaking when his phone rang.
He picked up his phone and glanced at it; it was Gu Wanning calling.
[Gu Wanning]: "You big liar, I just received a message from Yanling that relevant leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Communications Security Bureau have confirmed their attendance at the seminar. You should prepare in advance."
[Straightforward]: "Okay! I'll go back and prepare right away."
After hanging up Gu Wanning's call, Geng Zhi used the excuse of having company business to leave Qi Chuqin's office early.
"Xiao Geng, what's dinner for tonight?"
"Professor Qi, I will be there on time!"
After stating his opinion frankly, he left.
Once again, only the two of them remained in the room. Qi Chuqin asked curiously, "Xiao Lü, do you know what Xiao Geng meant by the [map gamification] plan?"
Lu Sifeng shook his head: "All I know is that Mingfan Technology is currently preparing for the development of its gaming division."
"Moreover, Junior Brother Geng once said that making games is very profitable, but he doesn't make games solely for the purpose of making money," Lü Sifeng added immediately afterward.
"Hmm? Then what's the point?"
"I don't know either."