4 ms·

This isn't really any different than most cases. Think Elon Musk started Tesla or SpaceX? Nope, he bought in just like Jimmy.

the_duke 7y ago
Musk didn't found Tesla and is (somewhat inappropriately) labeled as a cofounder, but joined in Series A as an investor. But he very much did build SpaceX from nothing (well, his Paypal money), and his unconventional approach is responsible for their success.
- eigenvalue 7y ago
  It's also questionable whether Tesla Motors would have had the same impact (or even survived) without Musk's efforts and leadership. They were making a very niche sports car at the time that was basically hand built. Musk is the one that got them to a mainstream commercial product.
  - stjohnswarts 7y ago
    There's almost 100% chance it would have failed, I doubt they could have found a more dedicated and driven person to take it through its darker times.
  - soapboxrocket 7y ago
    Fine, but when do we stop assigning money and drivers as co-founders? You can look at situation like Lee Iacocca did the same thing for Chrysler, but he wasn't labeled as a co-founder.
- askafriend 7y ago
  Musk absolutely should take credit for Tesla as it exists today. The Tesla he bought into was just a research project. It was nowhere near the global brand it is today nor were they on a trajectory that would have put them anywhere close to where they are today. It was his vision that made it possible at all. Similar to the founding story of McDonald's. Ray Croc bought the idea and made McDonald's what it is today. He didn't actually start the original 6 burger restaurants named McDonald's.
  - the_duke 7y ago
    I agree that Musk was very impactful for Tesla, and it would most likely be nowhere near where it is today without him. My only complaint is that he is not a cofounder, but joined in Series A as an investor.
njarboe 7y ago
Tesla, sure, but SpaceX was all Elon Musk, unless I am living in an alternative universe. His friends all tried to convince him he was crazy to start a rocket company. One even put together a montage of rocket explosions to try to keep him from doing it.
deleted 7y ago
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the_duke 7y ago

Musk didn't found Tesla and is (somewhat inappropriately) labeled as a cofounder, but joined in Series A as an investor. But he very much did build SpaceX from nothing (well, his Paypal money), and his unconventional approach is responsible for their success.

eigenvalue 7y ago
It's also questionable whether Tesla Motors would have had the same impact (or even survived) without Musk's efforts and leadership. They were making a very niche sports car at the time that was basically hand built. Musk is the one that got them to a mainstream commercial product.
- stjohnswarts 7y ago
  There's almost 100% chance it would have failed, I doubt they could have found a more dedicated and driven person to take it through its darker times.
- soapboxrocket 7y ago
  Fine, but when do we stop assigning money and drivers as co-founders? You can look at situation like Lee Iacocca did the same thing for Chrysler, but he wasn't labeled as a co-founder.
askafriend 7y ago
Musk absolutely should take credit for Tesla as it exists today. The Tesla he bought into was just a research project. It was nowhere near the global brand it is today nor were they on a trajectory that would have put them anywhere close to where they are today. It was his vision that made it possible at all. Similar to the founding story of McDonald's. Ray Croc bought the idea and made McDonald's what it is today. He didn't actually start the original 6 burger restaurants named McDonald's.
- the_duke 7y ago
  I agree that Musk was very impactful for Tesla, and it would most likely be nowhere near where it is today without him. My only complaint is that he is not a cofounder, but joined in Series A as an investor.

njarboe 7y ago

Tesla, sure, but SpaceX was all Elon Musk, unless I am living in an alternative universe. His friends all tried to convince him he was crazy to start a rocket company. One even put together a montage of rocket explosions to try to keep him from doing it.

deleted 7y ago

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