Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the challenges and complexities of working in investment banking, particularly for newcomers, and introduces a comprehensive learning package designed to aid their understanding and skill development in the industry [1][3]. Group 1: Learning Package Overview - The learning package includes a printed material titled "Investment Banking Growth Notes," an online course on assessing the feasibility of corporate listings, and a customized notebook [3][42]. - "Investment Banking Growth Notes" consists of 312 pages, over 120,000 words, and 9 chapters covering career planning, industry insights, essential skills, and current IPO review focus points [3][5]. Group 2: Content Structure - The first two chapters provide essential information for newcomers, including department divisions, regulatory frameworks, basic skills, project classifications, daily tasks, personnel sources, future transitions, and industry trends [5][8]. - Chapters three to seven, which account for approximately 62% of the book, detail the necessary professional skills in industry research, client acquisition, due diligence, financial thinking, and corporate valuation [8][30]. Group 3: Industry Skills and Practices - Chapter three outlines industry skills such as quantitative thinking, macro data analysis, industry division, due diligence guidelines, financial metrics analysis, and research application techniques [8][11]. - Chapter four shares insights from a seasoned underwriter on acquiring IPO business, including market conditions, channel development, and preparation for client meetings [15][19]. - Chapter five focuses on due diligence processes, detailing information collection, verification, and analysis techniques, along with 12 specific operational steps [24][25]. Group 4: Financial Analysis and Valuation - Chapter six discusses how to analyze a company's financial statements, emphasizing the relationships between the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, as well as key financial indicators [26][28]. - Chapter seven covers valuation methods, including relative and absolute valuation techniques, and provides insights on how companies can enhance their valuation [29][30]. Group 5: IPO Process Insights - Chapter eight addresses common regulatory concerns during the IPO process, such as financial compliance, equity issues, competition, related transactions, and real estate matters [32][35]. - Chapter nine outlines the responsibilities of various departments within a company during the IPO process, emphasizing the need for preparation and compliance to meet regulatory requirements [36][40].

Company Overview - Viasat is a global communications and defense technology company operating in two segments: Communication Services and Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) [1] - The Communications Services segment includes fixed broadband, government, maritime, and inflight communications, while the DAT segment focuses on defense-technology platforms for information security, cyber defense, and tactical networking [1] Activist Involvement - Carronade Capital Management LP, an activist investment firm, owns 2.60% of Viasat and has called for the separation of the DAT business through a spin-off or IPO [2][3] Financial Performance - Viasat's revenue breakdown shows Communications contributing 73% of revenue and 80% of EBITDA, while DAT accounts for 27% of revenue and 20% of EBITDA [4] - The Communications segment is experiencing a decline in broadband revenue, down over 27% year over year, but other areas like Government and Inflight Communications (IFC) are growing at approximately 25% and 22% respectively [5] - Viasat's share price has significantly underperformed, down 21.12%, 51.56%, and 57.98% over the past 1, 3, and 5 years [4] Market Perception and Misunderstanding - Carronade argues that Viasat is misunderstood by the market, perceived as a small-cap legacy satellite company overshadowed by competitors like Starlink [5] - The DAT business is highlighted as a hidden gem with best-in-class EBITDA margins of 28% and significant growth potential in next-generation defense technologies [6][7] Valuation Analysis - Carronade estimates the DAT business could be valued between $6.3 billion to $16.2 billion based on a 20-times to 51-times EBITDA multiple, while the entire company has an enterprise value of approximately $8 billion [8] - The Communications segment is valued at $4.9 billion, with an additional $1 billion from a legal settlement, leading to a total valuation range for Viasat of $48.93 to $112.49 per share, representing a potential return of 76% to 304% [8] Strategic Direction - Carronade's proposal to spin-off or IPO the DAT business aims to unlock intrinsic value and mitigate negative market sentiment surrounding the satellite business [8] - Viasat management has indicated consideration of selling parts of the DAT business, suggesting alignment with Carronade's value proposition [9]

Core Viewpoint - The current venture capital primary market is in a downward cycle, presenting more challenges for both investors and companies, with increasing complexity in balancing investor and company demands [1] Group 1: Learning Package Overview - The "Enterprise Equity Financing Learning Package" aims to assist companies in understanding equity financing and attracting suitable investors [1] - The package includes a printed manual, online courses, and customized notebooks [2][3][4] Group 2: Manual Content Structure - The manual consists of approximately 100,000 words and 232 pages, divided into two main parts focusing on the equity financing process for non-listed companies [6][8] - The first part covers ten key aspects of equity financing, including identifying good companies from an investor's perspective, business planning, financing strategies, company valuation, and negotiation of investment agreements [9][10] Group 3: Key Topics in the Manual - The manual uses relatable metaphors, such as "a glass of beer," to explain critical concepts in the investment field [11] - It provides specific formulas and case studies for understanding valuation and equity structure design, emphasizing the importance of these elements in equity financing [12][13] - The ninth section focuses on identifying potential pitfalls in investment agreements to avoid confusion caused by complex legal terms [13] Group 4: In-depth Discussion on Financing Issues - The second part of the manual delves into essential aspects of equity financing, including internal control systems, equity structure design, business plan writing, and tax risks associated with equity transfer [14] - It discusses common equity structure problems through case studies of failed companies, providing insights for designing effective equity structures [16] Group 5: Investor Relations and Negotiation Strategies - The manual outlines strategies for companies to maximize their interests when negotiating with investors, particularly regarding performance guarantees and board seats [20] - It clarifies misconceptions about financial advisory (FA) fees and emphasizes the importance of selecting the right FA based on the company's specific needs [21] Group 6: Practical Insights and Recommendations - The manual combines perspectives from both companies and investors, sharing practical experiences and strategies to identify potential risks during the financing process [22]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong IPO market is experiencing a structural recovery in 2024, driven by policy benefits, improved liquidity, and heightened compliance challenges for companies seeking to go public [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Policy benefits are being released as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange optimizes listing rules, such as the 18C chapter for specialized technology companies, and lowers the threshold for technology enterprises, attracting sectors like biomedicine, AI, and new economy businesses [1] - Continuous inflow of southbound funds is improving liquidity, indicating a window for valuation recovery [1] - Compliance challenges are escalating, with stricter regulatory requirements on ESG disclosures, related party transactions, and the compliance of equity structures, leading to a reduced margin for error in the listing preparation process [1] Group 2: Training Program - A training program titled "Immersive Training for Breaking Through the Full Chain of Hong Kong Listing" is scheduled for August 2-3, 2025, in Shanghai, aimed at helping companies navigate the IPO process [1] - The program will cover strategic preparation, core documentation, valuation practices, compliance challenges, and post-listing value management [12][14][16] Group 3: Expert Instructors - The program features experienced instructors, including CFOs and lawyers with extensive backgrounds in Hong Kong IPOs and capital markets [2][5][7] - Instructors have been involved in successful IPO projects and possess deep knowledge of listing regulations, corporate governance, and information disclosure requirements [2][5][7]

Core Viewpoint - The company, He Shi Eye Hospital, is facing significant challenges, including a substantial decline in stock price and ongoing shareholder reduction pressures, amid a competitive landscape in the ophthalmology industry [1][3][7]. Company Summary - He Shi Eye Hospital's major shareholder, Advanced Manufacturing Industry Investment Fund, plans to reduce its holdings by up to 3.1061 million shares, representing 2% of the total share capital, marking the second attempt for a similar reduction [3]. - The company's stock price has dropped over 60% from its historical peak, closing at 21.82 yuan per share as of July 2, 2025 [1][3]. - Since its establishment in 1995, He Shi Eye Hospital has expanded from a small clinic to a group-based ophthalmology service provider, currently operating 127 service institutions as of the end of 2024 [6]. Financial Performance - In 2022, He Shi Eye Hospital reported a revenue of 9.55 billion yuan, a slight decrease of 0.74% year-on-year, with a net profit of 0.33 billion yuan, down 61.55% [7]. - The financial situation worsened in 2024, with revenue declining by 7.56% to 10.96 billion yuan and a net loss of 0.2739 billion yuan, marking a 143.11% year-on-year decline [7][8]. - Compared to competitors like Aier Eye Hospital, which maintained a revenue growth rate of around 20%, He Shi Eye Hospital has experienced negative growth since its IPO [7][9]. Industry Context - The ophthalmology market in China is undergoing significant changes, with the number of private eye hospitals increasing from 890 to 1,609 between 2019 and 2023, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 15.4% [9]. - He Shi Eye Hospital's main business segments, including cataract, optical, and refractive services, have all faced revenue declines due to increased competition from larger players [9][10]. - The industry is also impacted by policy changes, such as the reform of medical insurance payment methods and centralized procurement of medical supplies, which have reduced procurement costs by 60% but also compressed profit margins [10].

Core Viewpoint - Canva, one of Australia's most successful startups, is preparing to test its AUD 49 billion (approximately USD 32 billion) valuation through a highly anticipated equity transfer transaction, likely representing its last round of private share sales before going public [1][3]. Group 1: Equity Transfer and Valuation - Canva's co-founders are discussing an internal share transfer plan with a few key shareholders, aiming to provide a platform for early employees to sell some shares before Christmas this year [3]. - The transaction is still in preliminary stages, with the scale yet to be determined and broader shareholders not yet informed [3]. - Last year, Canva engaged Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to facilitate a share transfer for early shareholders and employees, which totaled USD 1.6 billion at a valuation of USD 26 billion, significantly lower than its pre-rate hike peak of USD 40 billion [3][4]. Group 2: Future IPO and Market Position - In October of last year, Canva showcased a valuation of USD 32 billion based on an undisclosed share transfer, which did not raise new capital [4]. - The co-founders are expected to push for a sale at a valuation higher than USD 32 billion, likely marking the last round of financing as a private company before an anticipated IPO in the U.S. by 2026 [4]. - Canva's potential IPO would align it with another Australian software success, Atlassian, which went public on NASDAQ ten years ago [4]. Group 3: Strategic Growth and Acquisitions - Canva has expanded its product line through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of London-based data visualization platform Flourish, Austrian background removal tool company Kaleido, and product display generation tool Smartmockups [5]. - The company made its largest acquisition to date by purchasing UK software company Serif for USD 1 billion, whose Affinity products directly compete with Adobe's photo editing software [5]. - Initially, Canva grew organically by providing better tools for small businesses and professional designers compared to traditional software like Adobe [5].

Core Insights - Xiaohongshu's valuation has surged to $26 billion, driven by a recent transaction through GSR Ventures, marking a significant increase from the previous valuation of $20 billion [1] - The platform's valuation has surpassed its historical peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing strong momentum for its anticipated IPO this year [1][5] Valuation Details - Xiaohongshu accounts for 91% of GSR IV fund's assets, with a net asset value of approximately $2.44 billion as of March 31, where Xiaohongshu's stake is valued at $2.22 billion [1] - The valuation is based on private transactions, which often have a wide range due to the nature of secondary market negotiations [4] Market Context - Xiaohongshu has gained attention as a potential alternative to TikTok amid the latter's regulatory challenges in the U.S., leading to increased interest from American users [2] - The Chinese government's support for private enterprises and relaxed regulations in the tech sector have created new investment opportunities for platforms like Xiaohongshu [2] Investor Landscape - Xiaohongshu's investor base includes prominent firms such as GGV Capital, ZhenFund, Tiantu Capital, and GSR Ventures, with limited partners comprising major global pension funds and university endowments [7] - GSR Ventures, managing $3.7 billion in assets, has a history of investing in notable companies like Didi Chuxing and Horizon Robotics [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the challenges and complexities of working in investment banking, particularly for newcomers, and introduces a comprehensive learning package designed to aid their understanding and skill development in the industry [1][2]. Summary by Sections Learning Package Content - The learning package includes a printed material titled "Investment Banking Growth Notes," an online course on assessing the feasibility of corporate listings, and a customized notebook [4][46]. Investment Banking Growth Notes - The "Investment Banking Growth Notes" consists of 312 pages, over 120,000 words, and 9 chapters, covering career planning, industry insights, essential skills such as research, due diligence, finance, valuation, and the current focus areas in IPO processes [5][9]. Chapters Overview - Chapters 1 and 2 provide foundational knowledge about investment banking, including department divisions, regulatory frameworks, essential skills, project classifications, daily tasks, personnel sources, and future industry trends [9][12]. - Chapters 3 to 7, which constitute about 62% of the content, detail the professional skills necessary for investment banking, including industry research, client acquisition techniques, due diligence, financial thinking, and company valuation [12][19]. Industry Research Skills - Chapter 3 outlines essential industry research skills, including quantitative thinking, macro data analysis, industry segmentation, due diligence guidelines, financial metrics analysis, and practical research techniques [12][16]. Client Acquisition and Due Diligence - Chapter 4 shares insights from a seasoned professional on acquiring IPO business, discussing market conditions, channel development, and preparation for client meetings [19][23]. - Chapter 5 focuses on the due diligence process, detailing information collection, verification, and analysis, along with 12 specific operational steps [28][30]. Financial Analysis and Valuation - Chapter 6 emphasizes understanding a company's true financial status through balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, including key financial indicators and underlying logic for analysis [30][32]. - Chapter 7 discusses valuation methods, including relative and absolute valuation techniques, and offers practical advice for companies to enhance their valuation [33][34]. IPO Process Insights - Chapters 8 and 9 focus on IPO projects, addressing common regulatory concerns and outlining the responsibilities of various departments during the IPO process [35][36][40]. Practical Application - The content is designed to be practical and applicable, drawing from the experiences of investment banking professionals and corporate executives, making it accessible for those interested in deepening their knowledge in the field [44].

Core Viewpoint - Geely Auto has submitted a privatization proposal for Zeekr, aiming to acquire the remaining 34.4% of shares to make Zeekr a wholly-owned subsidiary and delist it from the NYSE, with a proposed purchase price of $25.66 per share, representing a 13.6% premium over the last closing price [3][4]. Summary by Sections Privatization Proposal - Geely currently holds approximately 65.7% of Zeekr's equity and plans to buy out the remaining shares [3]. - The acquisition price of $25.66 per share is a 13.6% premium compared to Zeekr's closing price of $22.6 on May 6 [3][4]. - Shareholders can choose to accept cash or stock exchange, with the stock exchange option offering 12.3 shares of Geely for each Zeekr ADS [3]. Reasons for Privatization - Zeekr's valuation is significantly lower than other new energy vehicle companies, with a P/S ratio of 0.7 compared to 0.9 for the automotive business and 1.5 for competitors like Xpeng [4][6]. - The market perceives Zeekr as undervalued, especially given its initial strong sales performance and the expectation of a P/S ratio of at least 1 for its automotive business [6][7]. Current Challenges - Zeekr's valuation has declined, with projected sales for 2025 being around 500,000 units, leading to an estimated valuation of 0.4-0.5 times [7][8]. - The company has been heavily reliant on Geely for support, leading to a high debt-to-asset ratio of 1.31, one of the highest in the industry [8][9]. - Internal coordination issues may arise post-merger with Lynk & Co, as both brands have overlapping strategies and product lines [9][10]. Sales Performance - Zeekr's sales have been declining, with the Zeekr 001 model dropping from 14,000 units per month to 3,000 units, and the Zeekr 007 also experiencing a significant drop [12][13]. - The competitive landscape has intensified, with rivals like Xiaomi and Xpeng gaining market share, further impacting Zeekr's sales [12][13]. Financial Implications - Zeekr's cash flow is low at approximately $9 billion, compared to competitors like Xpeng and NIO, which have significantly higher cash reserves [15]. - The total acquisition cost of $2.24 billion could strain Geely's cash flow, which was $43.6 billion at the end of 2024, potentially requiring new financing methods [16].