No, we weren't a YC company. Here's what actually happened: I went on a networking trip to the valley to touch base & brainstorm with some VCs I'd met at my p

No, we weren't a YC company. Here's what actually happened: I went on a networking trip to the valley to touch base & brainstorm with some VCs I'd met at my previous company, Ontela. On my way back, I got bumped in to first class. I hate talking to people on planes, but my rule is: if I'm in first, or I'm flying to/from SJC, I force myself. Well, this was a twofer. The guy sitting next to me turned out to be a Googler. We exchanged some emails - I was still working on company concepts at the time - and months later, when we were featured in Techcrunch, he called me up and said he wanted to talk. He was the one who put together the internal Google team that did the deal. The deal wouldn't have gotten done, though, without the tireless advocacy of a senior Google technical leader. I first met him maybe 4 years ago, introduced by an old friend, and we had coffee once or twice a year to keep in touch. We always talked about working together, and now we are. Truth is, I hate "networking" as much as the next guy (although I enjoy the resulting friendships that sometimes form). But one of the key jobs of a startup CEO is creating serendipity, so it's something I force myself to do. And it usually turns out for the best.