吴世春：我投过不少项目，小牛电动最让人刻骨铭心

Core Insights - The article highlights the investment journey in Niu Technologies, showcasing a remarkable 200x return on investment and the resilience of the team during challenging times [2][35]. Group 1: Investment Journey - In 2014, the founder of Ming Shi Capital introduced a team led by Li Yinan and Hu Yilin, aiming to disrupt the electric vehicle industry with a high-end smart electric scooter [3][4]. - The initial market for electric vehicles was focused on low-end products, characterized by noise and short battery life, while the team aimed to address consumer upgrade needs with a premium offering [8][9]. - The investment of 5 million yuan for a 10% stake was made, with a strong belief that a high-quality product deserves a premium price [10][12]. Group 2: Challenges and Resilience - Following the product launch, Li Yinan was detained for insider trading, leading to a withdrawal of initial investors and a critical financial situation for the company [17][18][19]. - The company faced a near-collapse, but the investment firm provided 100 million yuan to stabilize operations and secure the supply chain [20][21]. - This support attracted other major investors, resulting in a successful A+ round financing of 30 million USD, allowing Niu to survive [23]. Group 3: Market Expansion and Success - In 2016, the company was advised to enter the European market, where high-end products had better acceptance, leading to a selling price of 18,000 yuan per unit and significant profitability [26][28]. - By 2018, as Niu prepared for an IPO, additional investments were made to support its growth, culminating in a successful listing on NASDAQ [29][30]. Group 4: Investment Philosophy - The experience with Niu reinforced the belief in long-term investment strategies and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs through challenges [35][39]. - The article emphasizes that successful investment is not just about financial backing but also about providing resources, trust, and time to entrepreneurs [38][40]. - The firm has managed over 10 billion yuan in funds and invested in over 600 companies, with many approaching IPO readiness [41][42].