Halfway to Genius

Google's Seven Angel Investors #38

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Venture into the captivating world of early Google investments, where a legendary office, a billionaire professor, and a network kingmaker converge to shape the destiny of a tech giant. Discover how a simple idea, backed by gut feelings and a generous spirit, transformed into a multi-trillion dollar empire, showcasing the power of proximity and the magic of Silicon Valley.

Key Points:

  • The "Lucky Office": 165 University Avenue in Palo Alto is known as the "lucky office" or the "karma building," because multiple successful companies like Google, PayPal, and Logitech were started there.
  • Early Angel Investors: The initial investors in Google included Andy Bechtolsheim (co-founder of Sun Microsystems), David Cheriton (a Stanford professor), and Ron Conway (a legendary angel investor). These investors made decisions based on the founders and their potential, rather than detailed market analysis.
  • Ron Conway's Unique Approach: Ron Conway is known for his extreme generosity and focus on helping founders. His philosophy is that "all I do is I am in service of the founder," and that money will follow if enough great founders are supported. Conway is also known for making quick investment decisions, often within 10 minutes or less, focusing on the founder's drive, communication, and product focus.
  • The Importance of Proximity: The story highlights the significance of being in Silicon Valley, where chance encounters and connections can lead to incredible opportunities. The principle of "Proximity Is Power" is emphasized, suggesting that being close to the action is crucial for success.
  • Gut-Based Investing: The early investors, like Ron Conway, made decisions based on gut feelings, assessing the founder's passion and vision rather than relying solely on market analysis and projections. This approach often led to investing in founders who had the potential for multiple ventures.

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    Original source:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn881oyNH0U

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