Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the remarkable investment journey of DJI and its founder, Wang Tao, emphasizing the significant returns from early investments made by friends and family during the company's challenging early years [5][10][12]. Group 1: Investment Stories - In 2010, Wang Tao faced challenges with team departures and financial struggles, prompting his friend, Xie Jia, to sell his house to invest in DJI, acquiring approximately 14% of the company, which later valued at around 14 billion USD [10][11]. - Similar stories of successful investments are noted, such as Gong Hongjia's investment in Hikvision, which turned 245,000 RMB into 50 billion RMB over 20 years, showcasing the potential of backing talented entrepreneurs [11][12]. Group 2: DJI's Growth Trajectory - DJI's sales skyrocketed approximately 100 times from 2011 to 2015, with projected revenues exceeding 80 billion RMB by 2024, establishing DJI as a leading name in Chinese manufacturing [15][18]. - The company’s valuation reached over 160 billion RMB by 2018, with significant interest from investors, evidenced by a financing round that attracted over 100 institutions, with bids exceeding 30 times the planned amount [18][19]. Group 3: The Hardware Investment Landscape - The article discusses a shift in the perception of hardware investments in China, with more companies emerging as strong contenders in the market, such as Insta360 and Plaud AI, indicating a revitalization of interest in hardware sectors [19][20]. - The narrative suggests that DJI's success has opened doors for other hardware companies, leading to a more optimistic investment climate in the hardware space, contrasting the previous skepticism [20].

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformative power of early investments in promising startups, exemplified by the stories of DJI and Hikvision, showcasing how personal relationships can lead to significant financial returns [2][6]. Group 1: DJI's Journey - DJI, founded by Wang Tao, faced early challenges, including team member departures and financial struggles, prompting his friend Xie Jia to sell his house to invest in the company [3][5]. - Xie Jia's investment in DJI, which amounted to an unknown figure but resulted in approximately 14% equity, later valued at around 14 billion yuan, illustrates the potential rewards of supporting friends in their entrepreneurial endeavors [5][6]. - By 2024, DJI's revenue surpassed 80 billion yuan, with its valuation exceeding 1 trillion yuan, marking it as a leading player in the Chinese manufacturing sector [9][12]. Group 2: Investment Trends in Hardware - The article notes a significant shift in the investment landscape for hardware companies, with DJI's successful fundraising in 2018 attracting over 100 institutions and raising 1 billion USD, despite the general skepticism towards hardware investments [12][14]. - Emerging hardware companies, such as YI Technology and Plaud AI, are gaining traction, indicating a revitalization of interest in the hardware sector, which was previously considered high-risk [13][14]. - The narrative emphasizes that the success of companies like DJI has instilled confidence in investors, leading to a renewed focus on hardware investments in China [14].