被上市公司收购七年，创始人还要花千万去打官司拿钱

Acquisition Overview - The acquisition of Tian Di Xiang Yun by Kewha Data involved a two-step process, with the first step completed in November 2016 for 25% equity at a price of 90 million yuan [2][3] - The second step occurred in March 2017, acquiring 75% equity for a total price of 637.5 million yuan, with payments structured in three phases [3][4] Performance Guarantees and Compensation - The performance guarantees for the years 2017 to 2019 included net profit commitments of 50 million, 70 million, and 90 million yuan respectively, totaling 210 million yuan [5][6] - If the cumulative net profit fell below the promised total after three years, performance compensation would be required [7][8] - Compensation for underperformance would be calculated based on the acquisition price rather than profit shortfall [9] Control and Management - Post-acquisition, Kewha Data held 100% ownership of the target company, with the founding team transitioning to managerial roles [15][16] - The board consisted of three members, with Kewha Data appointing two and the founding team appointing one [17] Stock Unlocking Conditions - 70% of the acquisition payment was to be used for purchasing Kewha Data's stock, with unlocking conditions tied to performance metrics for each year [19][22] - The actual unlocking of stocks faced delays, leading to legal disputes [24][30] Legal Disputes and Outcomes - The founding team initiated multiple lawsuits against Kewha Data over stock unlocking issues, with the first lawsuit filed in July 2019 [37][38] - The courts ruled that Kewha Data was not obligated to unlock stocks unless requested by the management team [44][45] - The founding team faced significant legal costs, with outcomes often unfavorable, leading to financial losses [52][70] Performance Compensation Issues - Kewha Data claimed that the target company’s cumulative net profit was 190 million yuan, falling short of the promised 210 million yuan, resulting in a demand for compensation of 53.8 million yuan [53][54] - The founding team argued that management fees and stock incentive costs should not be included in the profit calculations, but the court upheld Kewha Data's position [59][62] Competition and Legal Restrictions - The agreement included non-compete clauses for the core team, but disputes over stock unlocking led to early departures and subsequent legal actions [71] - The court ruled that only one individual violated the non-compete agreement, resulting in minimal compensation awarded to Kewha Data [72] Stock Freezing and Compensation Claims - Kewha Data sought compensation for stock freezing, which was ultimately ruled against by the court, citing that stock price fluctuations are speculative [75] - The founding team later pursued compensation for losses incurred due to the freezing of stocks, but the court dismissed the claims [76] Key Takeaways for Founders - Founders should be cautious about performance guarantees and ensure clarity in contracts regarding stock unlocking and compensation mechanisms [79][84] - Legal disputes can lead to significant financial burdens, emphasizing the importance of professional legal and financial advice during acquisitions [88][90]