Nepotism 2.0!
If you’re a Google shareholder, how do you feel about the fact the company has invested $3.9-million in a bio-tech start-up? I suspect you’re probably scratching your head a little wondering about the connection between a search engine and bio-tech, although you could make a pretty good argument there is probably a connection between search engine algorithms and doing bio-tech research. Then, you might be a little more puzzled when you find out that the start-up, 23andMe, was co-founded by Sergey Brin’s wife last year. Given Bryn is worth $14-billion, you think he’d really want to keep church and state separated by making the investment himself. I know that I would…but, then again, I don’t have $14-billion! Is this another example of new billionaire hubris following the whole private plane debacle last year, or yet another savvy start-up investment by Google? By the way, does anyone find it deliciously ironic that 23andMe’s slogan is “Genetics is About to Get Personal”?
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:06 am
Sounds a lot like founders are treating the company’s money as though it is their own. Where is the Board oversight?
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Great post Mark!
The genealogy aspect struck me most from this story. Hypothetically speaking, the idea of online genealogy mapping could tremendously enhance the traditional vanity search. *Hmm, lets see - maybe I will be able to track the lineal descent of my ancestors - oh wait, I found a match!*
With one click a profile and map with directions to where my match is located appears on the screen. On the flipside, imagine online mapping that could match an online user with specific traits to be used in the areas of medicine.
Fascinating stuff. In fact, I can see the marriage between a search engine company and a biotech company having various applications if the two combine forces and create a future expert/resource site for the general public. The investment aspect certainly doesn’t hurt to accelerate drug discovery. And yet, I can’t help but think that maybe this “might get too personal.”
May 24th, 2007 at 9:21 am
[...] Google’s Sergey Bryn, you keep your money safely tucked inside your wallet, and get Google to invest $3.9-million in your wife’s bio-tech start-up. Personally, I’d buy the hockey team but, hey, [...]
June 19th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
[...] this rule is so underrated, keep your family and business completely separated. Money and blood don’t mix like two [web 2.0 sites] and no [userbase], find yourself in serious [...]
August 10th, 2007 at 3:45 am
[...] this rule is so underrated, keep your family and business completely separated. Money and blood don’t mix like two [web 2.0 sites] and no [userbase], find yourself in serious [...]
August 16th, 2007 at 10:22 am
[...] this rule is so underrated, keep your family and business completely separated. Money and blood don’t mix like two [web 2.0 sites] and no [userbase], find yourself in serious [...]