Happens with Cisco all the time too. Cisco acquires startup Y, founders vest for 4 years, founders leave Cisco and create Y+1, Cisco acquires Y+1, .... It hel

Happens with Cisco all the time too. Cisco acquires startup Y, founders vest for 4 years, founders leave Cisco and create Y+1, Cisco acquires Y+1, .... It helps to get re-acquired once you have all the existing connections and the acquiring company knows you're not snake oil and aren't screwing them over. There have been multiple Google->Startup->Google loops as well, but many of those are an acquihire-as-safety-net when the too hyped startup by too eager employees falls flat on its face.