4 ms·

I'm curious. 'a recruitment with a golden hello really' means that they had an offer of acquisition but with a 'you have to work for us' clause?

e1ven 17y ago
I believe axod's point is that an acquisition on this scale may simply amount to a signing bonus, rather than what investors might consider a substantial exit. Since he is shutting down the original project, and terms are not disclosed, it's entirely possible that he simply became tired of running it, applied for Google, interviewed and was hired. I'm not saying that I necessarily agree, but you had asked for clarification.
- dschobel 17y ago
  Do you think Google would fake an acquisition though? It's hard to imagine for a company of that stature and those means.
  - jacquesm 17y ago
    Just to let the guy save face? If his stature as a developer warranted it, then it might be to both parties advantage. Signing bonus is not press worthy, acquisition is.
  - axod 17y ago
    Six Apart 'acquired' Pownce [1]. Shut it down, then a year later and the 2 founders have left [2]. I'm always slightly skeptical ;) but these things just seem like a way to avoid having your baby in the dead pool to me. [1] http://www.sixapart.com/blog/2008/12/welcome-pownce-team.html http://www.sixapart.com/blog/2008/12/welcome-pownce-team.htm... [2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/12/AR2010021204437.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02...
    - jmm 17y ago
      The fact they both left shortly after a year would perhaps point to something a bit more substantial than a signing bonus. More like a retention bonus tied to the acquisition. That's what I thought when I read about LC's departure the other day anyway.
  - jey 17y ago
    What do you mean "faked"? They're acquiring the company. That doesn't obligate them to continue the existing product, nor mean that that's why they found the company valuable. Even if they discontinue the existing product, the people who have a deep understanding of that space are valuable, and the ideas/concepts behind the product are valuable.
mhartl 17y ago
Oftentimes 'talent acquisitions' are paid for with company stock that vests over several years, so yes, there's a 'you have to work for us' clause. It's still a good deal for the acquired company, but not quite as good as it seems.

e1ven 17y ago

I believe axod's point is that an acquisition on this scale may simply amount to a signing bonus, rather than what investors might consider a substantial exit. Since he is shutting down the original project, and terms are not disclosed, it's entirely possible that he simply became tired of running it, applied for Google, interviewed and was hired. I'm not saying that I necessarily agree, but you had asked for clarification.

dschobel 17y ago
Do you think Google would fake an acquisition though? It's hard to imagine for a company of that stature and those means.
- jacquesm 17y ago
  Just to let the guy save face? If his stature as a developer warranted it, then it might be to both parties advantage. Signing bonus is not press worthy, acquisition is.
- axod 17y ago
  Six Apart 'acquired' Pownce [1]. Shut it down, then a year later and the 2 founders have left [2]. I'm always slightly skeptical ;) but these things just seem like a way to avoid having your baby in the dead pool to me. [1] http://www.sixapart.com/blog/2008/12/welcome-pownce-team.html http://www.sixapart.com/blog/2008/12/welcome-pownce-team.htm... [2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/12/AR2010021204437.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02...
  - jmm 17y ago
    The fact they both left shortly after a year would perhaps point to something a bit more substantial than a signing bonus. More like a retention bonus tied to the acquisition. That's what I thought when I read about LC's departure the other day anyway.
- jey 17y ago
  What do you mean "faked"? They're acquiring the company. That doesn't obligate them to continue the existing product, nor mean that that's why they found the company valuable. Even if they discontinue the existing product, the people who have a deep understanding of that space are valuable, and the ideas/concepts behind the product are valuable.

mhartl 17y ago

Oftentimes 'talent acquisitions' are paid for with company stock that vests over several years, so yes, there's a 'you have to work for us' clause. It's still a good deal for the acquired company, but not quite as good as it seems.