I was reborn and stayed in school to lie down. I really don’t want to roll anymore!

To be honest, when I first heard Associate Professor Duan say that he wanted to start a side job.

Jiang Hao also thought about whether he might take on some private work from outside companies and then bring it to the laboratory for students to do the work.

A routine similar to Professor Jiang’s.

But now it seems that Associate Professor Duan is a man of strong character as he can work under Professor Zou.

Moreover, the targeted fields and the projects themselves are very promising.

As an application of artificial intelligence, the sweeping robot must be able to produce high-quality products.

Maybe we can use this product as a basis to directly expand into the entire field of smart home.

Thinking of this, Jiang Hao couldn't help but admire Associate Professor Duan.

"Teacher Duan, I think the sweeping robot is a good project, and it can also enter the smart home field in the future."

"If you really want to develop in this direction, I think it is very promising."

"But if you really want to start a company, I'm afraid you won't have enough energy for scientific research."

After all, he is not a professor of their Songshi College. Except for a few colleges, the scientific research atmosphere in the entire Songshi College is better than nothing.

The situation is different at Songgong University, and Professor Duan is supervised by Professor Zou.

Although there is no restriction on Professor Duan to have a side job outside, it must not affect the overall scientific research work.

Trying this robot vacuum cleaner project is actually not much like simply taking on private work.

This is already a real business venture, which requires a lot of energy.

"I'm not alone! Someone helped me!"

"Haha! Pang Yi, come here."

Seeing that Jiang Hao was really optimistic, Professor Duan signaled with his eyes another student who was about to graduate to come over to them.

Student Pang Yi has just been paying attention to the situation here.

Now when he heard Teacher Duan calling him, he stood up and did not forget to bring his wine glass over.

"Teacher, Senior Brother Jiang!"

Pang Yi is a rather fat man, with short hair that reveals his scalp, and a silly smile on his face.

When Jiang Hao heard the word "senior brother", he knew that this person should be Professor Duan's master's graduate this year.

"Xiao Jiang, the robot vacuum cleaner project was actually first proposed by Pang Yi."

"His graduation thesis was about smart home based on ARM. I was very interested in his thesis when I read it before."

"I looked through foreign technologies and products, and finally found the direction of this sweeping robot."

"I will be responsible for the product technology, and the overall company operations including software support will be handed over to Xiao Pang."

So that's what was going on. He now understood who the partner Teacher Duan had mentioned before was. It turned out to be his own student.

"Teacher Duan, you and Junior Brother Pang are working on this project together. Who will be the main person in charge?"

"Junior Brother Jiang, I just helped my mentor set up the company, but I can't be the person in charge."

When Junior Brother Pang heard him ask this, he quickly waved his hands and shook his head like a rattle.

"I am in charge of the initial funding and overall hardware technology for the company, and I also proposed the actual product project, so I am still mainly responsible for the company."

Jiang Hao finally understood what Professor Duan said.

He just asked to confirm. After all, some students might have resources and start a business with their teachers.

Professor Duan’s approach is more traditional, with teachers guiding students.

Since both the money and technology were provided by Professor Duan, it is obvious who actually has the final say in the company.

At this moment, Jiang Hao couldn't help but sigh at the many opportunities at Songgong University.

At least he would never dare to imagine that a mentor would lead his students to start a business at his alma mater, Songshi College.

Most of the professors at Songshi College who have side jobs make money by utilizing resources or by playing a role in some professional field.

What he saw today, a true collaboration between teachers and students to start a business together, was something he had never heard of before.

"Xiao Jiang, I know you have a big business outside and you have a good eye for projects."

"Since you are also optimistic about our project, I wonder if you are interested in participating in it?"

Sure enough, the highlight should be here.

I guess it's to reduce the risk and include him as an investor.

Unfortunately, he didn't have much money, only 300,000 in his pocket.

But this is indeed a good project, and I would be reluctant to miss it. Thinking of this, Jiang Hao decided to ask about the situation first.

"Teacher Duan, how much funding do you have to wait for your project to be able to produce a product that can be marketed?"

"If we just want to make a finished product, the gap is actually not big. I am prepared to invest one million."

"I think it would take another 50 to 1 million to get something done."

"But such a robot vacuum cleaner is not very intelligent and is hard to be recognized! Since you are a computer expert, you should know that the actual R&D cost of even just a supporting software is not low!"

In fact, there are domestic brands that are currently working on the project of sweeping robots. For example, Ecovacs, one of the leading companies in later generations, entered this field a few years ago.

However, the actual market response is far from satisfactory, and the current market evaluation of sweeping robots is "stupid robots."

The level of intelligence, including sensors and obstacle avoidance functions, is too backward.

The technology has not yet reached the point where it can replace more than 60% of manual labor, and naturally it has not yet begun to be accepted by the market.

Therefore, the technical requirements for research and development and improvement are not low.

If you really want to have a high-quality product that can be accepted by the market, you need to invest a lot of money in research and development.

It is estimated that the initial cost is at least five million, and even more money will be needed if the technology is more intelligent.

Jiang Hao knew that he couldn't come up with the money, and even if he could, he would prioritize paying for the license.

After all, one is a stable guarantee, which is much more certain than this kind of entrepreneurial project.

But when he was presented with such a promising project, he also recognized Associate Professor Duan's technical level.

In less than two years, the technological intelligence of this type of product would have met market expectations, and sweeping robots would have officially become popular in China.

The prospects are indeed bright and the opportunities are great. I would be reluctant to let him miss them.

"Teacher Duan, you are just short of money right now, right? If I bring you some real investors, would you be willing?"

If you don't have money, then just find someone. Now he has quite a few investors behind him.

Lu Weiming, Yang Tianhao, and Professor Zheng can all become the investors behind him.

Especially Lu Weiming and Yang Tianhao, the two of them kept in touch with each other.

Now that Totoro Live’s valuation has skyrocketed after its successful Series A round, the two are becoming more enthusiastic about the investment field.

Jiang Hao guessed that once he mentioned this matter, these two people would be willing to give him money.

But the question is whether Professor Duan is willing to communicate with unfamiliar investors. The entrepreneurial team and the investors must at least have a certain level of trust.

Otherwise, even if they have money, this team won’t be able to produce anything due to various regulations or requirements.

"Xiao Jiang, if it's just an outside investor, I'm not interested."

"But if you also come in to take a stake, and if you can represent the investors to let me work with you only, then I can still consider it."

Professor Duan understood immediately that although Jiang Hao was optimistic about the project they proposed, he was not willing to invest personally.

He has been focusing on scientific research in recent years, and the resources he has outside are actually just that.

It’s not that no one is willing to invest in him, but he just doesn’t trust people from outside.

What if you invest money and ask his lab to help with other projects, will he help or not?

He is really not as good as Jiang Hao, who was sent into my group by Professor Zou. It is easy to build trust within the same group.

Moreover, Jiang Hao started from scratch, his ability and vision are beyond doubt, and he also has strong financial strength.

At this point, we can only settle for the second best. At least Jiang Hao must have a share in it, otherwise he will be unwilling to communicate with the unfamiliar investors?

"Haha! Of course, if I don't get involved in this matter myself, why would I be willing to ask someone else for help?"

"Professor Duan, in which month are you going to start your investment or project?"

"Maybe after July. Xiao Pang has to go back home after his defense, and the company registration will also take some time to deal with."

Jiang Hao now felt relieved, as he would receive some funds in July.

If he asks someone else to pay the bulk of the money, it won't be a problem for him to pay a few hundred thousand to participate in the share.