Google (GOOG) employees are in that phase where they can exercise their options, lock in their profits and high tail out of the Googleplex. With their Mansions and Maseratis paid for, it is time for them to go start something new. Take for instance Cuill, a search start-up co-founded by Tom Costello and Anna Patterson and rumored to have raised $10 million from Greylock Partners.
And there is Ooyala, a startup that offers video content management and clickable video interfaces. We were just alerted about OpTrip, an automated travel planning company, started by Calvin Yang another X-Googler. Today Liz has the scoop on another new start-up, Howcast started by former Google Video guy Jason Liebman.
Given the halo around Google, it is a good time for Googlers to strike out on their own. They can raise a ton of money on reputation itself. Being associated with a successful company or a big exit is all the cachet VCs need to sign the checks. Many Skype employees have left the company and started their own ventures (or funds) with liberal funding after eBay (EBAY) bought the voice telephony company. We will have details on two more companies started by former eBay-Skype folks.
If you have heard of any other members of the ex-Google Club, let us know.
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3:15 AM PT
[...] Read the story here Published in: Uncategorized [...]
5:04 PM PT
[...] he said. Of course, it helps that like Ullah and Dempsey, many Googlers are leaving the company to rev-up their own start-ups. Merus, which means pure in latin, could be assured of a steady deal flow. Share This | Sphere [...]
9 comments so far
7:53 AM PT
The creation of an entrepreneurial eco-system around a successful company is always a good thing. If you look at what happened at Newbridge Networks, it was an example of how one company directly and indirectly spawned dozens of other start-ups.
10:54 AM PT
Agree 100%, many great new startups are going to come from these folks. Very exciting times!
4:39 PM PT
Yes, the Googlers leaving the mother-ship to fund or start new start-ups is an example of one of the strengths of the technology “culture” in Silicon Valley and other places. I hope they fund/start 20 companies for each Ex-Goog.
8:51 PM PT
I’m sure they will be as successful as the ex-Yahoo and ex-Microsoft guys
12:03 AM PT
Hey OM and Liz
I don’t think you covered Imo.com…http://www.thealarmclock.com/mt/archives/2007/09/1_of_first_10_g.html
4:07 PM PT
IMO.IM a Meebo like app, was also launched by an founding employee of Google.
(link)
5:36 PM PT
The ex-Googlers will be more successful than the ex-Microsofters or ex-Yahoos (haha) because of the things that differentiate the success of Google. The company structure and the openess as it relates to the types of projects developers are able to choose from at Google. Perfect example is Benjamin Ling who just recently left Google for Facebook. He will be able to benifit by bringing some of the freedoms that he experienced at Google to Facebook.
read more (link)
12:53 PM PT
Some ex-Skype folks are helping listed companies on compliance, how to avoid insider trading. See (link)
2:01 AM PT
Google is not doing anything great now-a-days.
Also, ‘Working at Google’ tag does not have the value as beofre
:)
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