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Can anyone make the case for why this was a smart idea? The only argument I can think of is that the founders would rather continue the fun of growing their ow

Can anyone make the case for why this was a smart idea? The only argument I can think of is that the founders would rather continue the fun of growing their own business rather than having to hand it over to Google right at the peak of its hype.

blantonl 16y ago
I've pursued many acquisitions and I can tell you from experience that your assertion of "continue the fun of growing their own business" is pretty strong for a lot of founders. Contrary to popular belief, the exit from a startup isn't on the minds of a lot of innovative people. [edit: spelling]
- slouch 16y ago
  but! sure, an early exit would be a tough decision if you already have FU money--but what about 6 billion dollars? you're talking about being unconditionally in love with what you are doing in this particular business to pass on 6 billy.
  - blantonl 16y ago
    There are a lot of founders that could care less about fu money. The fact they made it to "this" point validates their effort. It also emboldens them to keep going... Sometimes it is a suicide pact with themselves, and in rare other times it results in a huge breakthrough. Welcome to entrepreneurship ;)
qeorge 16y ago
The founders are already going to be super-rich. This isn't Twitter, Groupon is already profitable and raking in the dough. That gives them the freedom to ride this thing out and see where it goes. Truckloads of money are great, but this is a chance to build a legendary business.
- edanm 16y ago
  "The founders are already going to be super-rich. This isn't Twitter, Groupon is already profitable and raking in the dough." Is there any chance that the founders of Twitter aren't going to be super-rich? Even if in 2 years Twitter is completely gone, I'm guessing that the founders are already incredibly wealthy.
  - seunosewa 16y ago
    Groupon is profitable in just two years of operation. Twitter is still figuring things out.

blantonl 16y ago

I've pursued many acquisitions and I can tell you from experience that your assertion of "continue the fun of growing their own business" is pretty strong for a lot of founders. Contrary to popular belief, the exit from a startup isn't on the minds of a lot of innovative people. [edit: spelling]

slouch 16y ago
but! sure, an early exit would be a tough decision if you already have FU money--but what about 6 billion dollars? you're talking about being unconditionally in love with what you are doing in this particular business to pass on 6 billy.
- blantonl 16y ago
  There are a lot of founders that could care less about fu money. The fact they made it to "this" point validates their effort. It also emboldens them to keep going... Sometimes it is a suicide pact with themselves, and in rare other times it results in a huge breakthrough. Welcome to entrepreneurship ;)

qeorge 16y ago

The founders are already going to be super-rich. This isn't Twitter, Groupon is already profitable and raking in the dough. That gives them the freedom to ride this thing out and see where it goes. Truckloads of money are great, but this is a chance to build a legendary business.

edanm 16y ago
"The founders are already going to be super-rich. This isn't Twitter, Groupon is already profitable and raking in the dough." Is there any chance that the founders of Twitter aren't going to be super-rich? Even if in 2 years Twitter is completely gone, I'm guessing that the founders are already incredibly wealthy.
- seunosewa 16y ago
  Groupon is profitable in just two years of operation. Twitter is still figuring things out.