*Some* VCs will invest and play off this, knowing they can run up the price by starting a bid war. How it plays out. VC: Hey Oracle, did you hear salesforce w

*Some* VCs will invest and play off this, knowing they can run up the price by starting a bid war. How it plays out. VC: Hey Oracle, did you hear salesforce wants to buy XYZ Startup for 1M, you want to counter? Oracle: Screw Benioff. I'm in for 2MM. VC: Hey Salesforce, thanks for the first call. Oracle wants to buy XYZ startup for 4M, you want to counter. Salesforce: Those devils, I'll do 5M. .... VC continues the game until they've hit the ceiling or are about to, and walks away with a ton of cash.