If everyone is reborn, who will work for capital?

Chapter 44 Science and Technology Innovation Park

With the injection of fresh blood from Shu Beibei and Yang Mingxia, the message notifications in the "Instant Fame" QQ group became noticeably more frequent, and the discussion atmosphere became much more active.

Eager to have their two new partners join, Gengzhi convened a short meeting early Sunday morning with all the core members to discuss progress and assign tasks.

Since it was the weekend, Shu Beibei took advantage of being a student in the School of Literature and found a spare classroom in advance, thus avoiding the embarrassment of having to hold an open-air meeting in the botanical garden.

Geng Zhi first introduced the two new members to everyone, and then got down to business, keeping everyone informed of the latest developments.

"Everyone, let's briefly check the progress of our current work. Mr. Li, you can go first," Geng Zhi began.

Li Haipeng cleared his throat and opened his notebook: "Okay, I've contacted seven potential sponsors so far. Starbucks, Morning Star Stationery Store, and the Digital Mall have all explicitly rejected us."

"Christine Cake Shop has agreed to sponsor a batch of discount coupons. Pizza Hut and that Korean BBQ restaurant have also expressed interest, but they want to see our specific promotional plan before making a decision."

"Next, I plan to try my luck at a nearby movie theater and board game cafe, but it's hard to say how it will turn out."

Geng Zhi nodded: "Okay, thank you for your hard work, President Li."

Regarding their strategy for securing sponsorships, Geng Zhi and Li Haipeng discussed it and decided to focus on three core aspects: localization, precision, and low cost with high exposure.

For the team now, the amount of sponsorship they can secure is actually secondary, because the revenue from sponsorships may not be enough to cover the human resource costs they invest.

The main purpose of this campaign is to verify the feasibility of the sponsorship model.

The true value of the sponsorship will only be fully realized once the business scales up in the future.

"Okay, Xiaowen, where are you over here?" Geng Zhi looked at Sun Xiaowen.

"I've already started designing the initial model for 'Mind Matching'," Sun Xiaowen said confidently, adjusting her glasses. "By next Wednesday night at the latest, I should have a complete draft, including the information dimensions that users need to submit."

"Okay, then let's meet at the library next Wednesday night, the usual spot." Geng Zhi said, then turned his gaze to Hao Pengxiang.

"Senior, I've found the nominal moderator of the 'Remembering the Source' BBS's 'Magpie Bridge' section. He's a third-year law student. But the actual decision-maker is a vice president of the student union. I've already sent his details to Haipeng," Hao Pengxiang reported.

"Yes, Pengxiang sent it to me," Li Haipeng confirmed.

"In addition, the entire BBS homepage content management and pinning permissions are in the hands of a student named Chen Chen from the School of Computer Science. He and another administrator have operating permissions," Hao Pengxiang added.

"From the Computer Science Department?" Geng Zhi was delighted to hear this. "Okay, I understand. Please send me his information as well."

Finally, Geng Zhi turned his attention to the two new members, Shu Beibei and Yang Mingxia.

"Mingxia, you haven't actually done brand promotion before, so don't rush into the initial marketing copywriting. You'll focus on the press releases and brand promotion after the event. Can you handle that?" Geng Zhi asked encouragingly.

"Okay, senior!" Yang Mingxia nodded vigorously, but then asked, "So... what's the general direction and tone of the publicity?"

"Since you have plenty of time, I strongly suggest you first go to various relevant forums and communities and find a batch of posts and articles that you think are particularly well-written and widely circulated. Analyze them carefully and summarize the commonalities of their success."

"From the title, structure, content, emotional tone, and even the interaction in the comments section, let's summarize a few key points for each aspect. Let's meet again and discuss them in detail. You're from the School of Humanities, which is closely related to journalism and communication, so I believe you're more professional than I am."

After speaking frankly, he looked at her for her opinion.

"Understood! I'll summarize the secrets to creating a best-selling product by next Saturday at the latest." Yang Mingxia nodded seriously, feeling that the task was much clearer.

"Beibei, your job has two parts." Gengzhi turned to Shu Beibei, "One is hosting the event, and the other is working with me to refine the event's gameplay. After the meeting, I'll talk to you in detail about the 'treasure hunt' game we've come up with so far."

"Okay, no problem!" Shu Beibei was eager to try.

"Let me tell you about my side. I've finalized the marketing plan for the event, and I'll discuss it with Beibei later... As for the company's operating funds, Pengxiang and I will go to the Science and Technology Park tomorrow to take care of that."

He rambled on and on about how straightforward he was.

"Alright, everyone, let's get to work quickly according to our assigned tasks. Update the group chat with any progress or obstacles. Thanks everyone!" He concluded the short meeting crisply.

"Mr. Geng," Hao Pengxiang said before the meeting adjourned, remembering something, "I saw an office for rent at a low price yesterday in the Software Park area. It can seat more than ten people. Shall we go and discuss it?"

"Let me first inquire about the situation at the school's science and technology park," Geng said frankly. "I'll give you an answer Monday night."

……

On Monday morning, Geng Zhi first carefully studied the entry policy of Jiaotong University Science and Technology Innovation Park at home, and only after he had a clear understanding of the situation did he go out to meet Hao Pengxiang.

Jiaotong University's science and technology park is divided into two parts: one small part is located on campus and is entirely managed by the university, mainly for current students and entrepreneurial teams that have graduated.

Another, larger area is located off-campus, about 700-800 meters from the school. It has been socialized and has attracted many established small and medium-sized technology companies.

Just after nine o'clock in the morning, the two appeared at the main gate of the campus science and technology park.

"Pengxiang, are you familiar with the layout of this park and the rooms?" Geng Zhi asked as they walked.

Hao Pengxiang shook his head: "This is my first time here too. All I know is where the information management office is where I need to enter bank card information."

"Okay, let's head this way first." Geng Zhi said, naturally turning eastward.

"Senior, the sign says... the Information Management Office is on the west side," Hao Pengxiang reminded him, pointing to the sign.

"No rush, let's take a walk around first and get a feel for the situation." Geng Zhi didn't stop and continued walking forward.

Although Hao Pengxiang didn't understand why, he quickly followed.

The two walked around and found that all the proper office areas on these floors of the park were already occupied.

"Senior, you're looking for a place for your company in the park, right?" Hao Pengxiang understood.

"That's right."

"I think I heard from a senior in the department that there's a waiting list for this, and it's quite long. They had a startup project that waited almost a year and still couldn't get in," Hao Pengxiang added.

"I see." Geng Zhi nodded. "Let's go to the consultation room and ask."

Inside the consultation room, a male and a female staff member who looked like students were each busy with their own things—one was reading a book, and the other was… engrossed in playing a game.

"Excuse me, is this where I register for the entrepreneurship competition?" Geng Zhi asked as he stepped forward.

The girl who was reading looked up and politely replied, "Yes, classmate, you need to fill out a registration form."

Geng glanced at the form and asked, "Also, I heard from the teacher that we can apply for offices in the park? What's the specific procedure?"

"Oh, this..." the girl said apologetically, "The park is already full, and now we can only register and wait for a number."

"How many numbers are ahead of us in line? We only need a room that can accommodate about ten people. How long will the wait be?" Geng Zhi asked.

Upon hearing this, a boy who had just finished a game nearby chimed in without looking up, "No chance. Forget about ten people, there aren't even any single rooms left."

"So... how many teams are in line now?" Geng Zhi continued to press.

"I can't remember exactly, but there must have been at least twenty or thirty." The boy finally looked up, his tone somewhat perfunctory. "I advise you not to even think about it. Many teams have graduated or disbanded and haven't even gotten a spot."

After a moment's hesitation, Geng Zhi slowly asked, "Are there any small storage rooms or similar spaces in the park that can be used as temporary offices?"

Upon hearing this, not only were the two students on duty stunned, but even Hao Pengxiang looked at Geng Zhi in surprise.

Jiaotong University's matchmaking service... surely it's not that poor? Hao Pengxiang thought to himself.

The girl carefully examined Geng Zhi, guessing that their team might indeed be facing financial difficulties. A hint of sympathy appeared in her eyes, and she hesitated before speaking:

"Our building's fourth floor, unit 401... does have a small room that's been used as a storage room for several years now. It's extremely small, barely big enough for five or six people, maybe..."

"Oh, okay." Geng Zhi's eyes lit up. "Can I apply for this directly with Teacher Jin Zhilong?"

"Well... I'm not so sure." The girl shook her head.

"Okay, thank you very much. You have a really nice voice, classmate." Geng Zhi sincerely complimented him before leaving the counseling room with Hao Pengxiang.

The girl was left standing there, blinking a little shyly.

As soon as he stepped out of the consultation room, Hao Pengxiang couldn't hold back any longer: "Senior, you even raided the storage room? Didn't Haipeng say there were offices for rent in the Software Park? We... we don't have to be that poor, do we?"

"Working in the school's science and technology park makes it convenient for everyone to hold meetings and get together, and the efficiency is much higher than working outside," Geng Zhi explained.

"Moreover, companies in the park can move out whenever they want. Only by staying here can we get the news first and seize the opportunity. Otherwise, someone else will beat us to it."

"That's true..." Hao Pengxiang thought for a moment and agreed.

"Starting a business is a long-term battle, and cost awareness must be ingrained in the company's DNA. Every seemingly insignificant detail can determine its ultimate fate."

Geng Zhi added a sentence, as if he were speaking to Hao Pengxiang, or as if he were talking to himself.

Hao Pengxiang seemed to understand, but he felt that the straightforward senior in front of him always had a maturity far beyond his age, as if he had really been through the ups and downs of the business world.

"Senior, should we go directly to Teacher Jin now, or register an account at the Information Management Department first?" Hao Pengxiang asked.

Geng Zhi thought for a few seconds and said, "No rush, let me make a call and ask someone to come over."

As he spoke, he took out his phone, found Lü Sifeng's number, and dialed it.