Why I sold to Google

"Why I sold...?" As if nobody would know that people sell something to get money.

Why is it only about the team and the shareholders? What about the general public that you were trying to help out with your product? I think they're actually more important than the other two - it's millions vs. a handful. They lose out more often than not when products are killed in acquisitions like this.

I don't think Sparkbuy was that great an app, although their concept of "technical searching" was interesting. Neither I think online shopping is a path Google may follow in the future. I think this is just how the higher level hiring process at Google works: build startup, get their attention, get bought out, app switched off, welcome to Googleplex.<p><i>it looks like the startup's founder are joining Google as employees. According to Seattle Times, they will be working on Google's new mortgage, credit card, and bank account comparison site Advisor, which was launched last week.</i><p><a href="http://news.ebrandz.com/google/2011/4061-google-acquires-sparkbuy-a-search-engine-for-consumer-electronics.html" rel="nofollow">http://news.ebrandz.com/google/2011/4061-google-acquires-spa...</a><p>I always wondered how these acquisition contracts are structured as far as the team goes, ie, if Dan Shapiro leaves before 2 years doesn't get to keep part of the money?<p>Anyone here with real experience on this kind of deals?

"if you look at the big picture world that happens to startups, there are really three things that happen: IPOs, acquisitions and bankruptcy"<p>This is why you shouldn't spend all your time creating a short-term business with the goal of being bought out by a bigger entity.<p>I suppose everyone has different goals, but mine is to create a company that will evolve and last for many years. This wouldn't even be possible if I wrote the next service based on Twitter or Facebook.

wow! that was a really quick sale right after the launch. Mixergy had an excellent interview with founder Dan Shapiro in April. <a href="http://mixergy.com/dan-shapiro-ontela-interview/" rel="nofollow">http://mixergy.com/dan-shapiro-ontela-interview/</a>

&#62;&#62; What are you going to do inside Google? "I am still figuring that out."<p>This clearly states that I sold for money and reputation. But the bad thing is selling to Google is not like selling to Google in 2005.

<i>When I am running a startup, I am running it really for just two constituencies: for the shareholders and for the team. And this was awesome for the shareholders and was awesome for the team.</i><p>What about the users? What about the users?

i bet money was involved, too

This isn't really a startup acquision - more like a talent acquisition. Google can easily create a similar service, and since they are the gatekeeper, they could just pump their site in front of everyone else in the rankings (like they do with YouTube).<p>Of course, I'd sell out too if I knew Google could accidentally punish me after a single algorithm change. No freaking brainer