Spotify CEO Daniel Ek

Ben & David examine Google’s 2005 purchase of Android for a rumored $50M, undeniably one of the best technology acquisitions of all time. But will it top the list of these tough graders? Tune in to find out. Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntress   More Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCTopics covered include: Welcome new listeners! We quickly review the show format for newbies. Community spotlight: Patagonia on a Budget from community member Matt Morgante (@mattm on Slack)Andy Rubin’s career trajectory and what made him “born to start Android"The undeniable “cool factor” of the Danger Sidekick in the early/mid-2000’s, including fans such as  Larry Page, Sergey Brin and… Turtle from Entourage Android’s original ambition to build an operating system for…  digital camerasWebTV founder Steve Perlman is  pretty much the best friend ever Google’s own perspective on Android as their “best deal ever"The Android team’s reaction to Steve Jobs unveiling the iPhone in January 2007, and redesigning the initial launch hardware Announcing Android and—equally importantly—the Open Handset Alliance (“OHA”)The much-talked-about "mobile holy wars", between Android’s “open” platform and Apple’s “closed” platform The less-talked-about US carrier wars with the iPhone + AT&T in one camp, and everyone else in the Google / OHA camp (including “Droid Does”)A quirk of history: HTC at one point acquires a majority share in Beats, resulting a short-lived period of  Beats-branded Android phones (still available on Amazon!)The real battleground for Google in the mobile platform wars: the economics of “default search” (briefly known thanks to the  Oracle/Java lawsuit against Google) Google’s detour into smartphone hardware with the acquisition (and subsequent divestiture) of Motorola The “fork-ability” of Android via the Android Open Source Project (versus “Google Android”), and the rise of Xiaomi, Cyanogen, Kindle Fire and other platformsThe ecosystem economics of the Android business for Google “Defensive” versus “offensive” acquisitions, and protecting Google’s core search business Could (or would) Google have built an Android-like platform without acquiring Android the company (or having Andy Rubin)?Framing the technology world’s shift to mobile within (surprise) Ben Thompson’s Aggregation TheoryThe current “moving up the stack” of the competitive playing field as the mobile landscape matures Grading: Android versus Instagram?  Followups:  Waze launches Carpool in the Bay Area.  Much consternation ensues on the Uber board.  Hot Takes: The iPhone 7 (and AirPods) announcement   The Carve Out: Ben:  Business Adventures by John Brooks, Bill Gates’ favorite business bookDavid: Ezra Edelman's fantastic 5-part ESPN documentary on O.J. Simpson, O.J.: Made in AmericaNone this week… coverage of Instagram Stories to come next time!

16 Syys 20161h 20min

Ben & David break down Jet.com’s meteoric rise, culminating in Walmart’s blockbuster $3B+ acquisition of the company just two years after its founding. Will we look back on this deal as an ‘Instagram-like’ bargain or a ‘Pets.com'-sized blunder? And most importantly, can *anyone* compete with Amazon going forward? We speculate wildly. Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntress  More Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCTopics covered include: Community spotlight: Nowdue, a super fast invoicing platform for teams on Slack. Invoice like it’s the future! This looks very cool. Jet’s deep origins in Founder & CEO Marc Lore’s first two companies, The Pit and Quidsi (aka, diapers.com) Lore’s  chance run-in with Jeff Bezos at a school picnic in Seattle in the early 2000’sAmazon's dramatic acquisition of Quidsi in 2010, including Bezos’ admonition to Amazon corp dev to keep Quidsi from being bought by Walmart under any circumstances (covered well in  The Everything Store)Lore’s  less-than-favorable opinion of Amazon's culture Lore's vision of Jet as an ‘online Costco’ that can directly with Amazon on price by selling goods to a “huge middle-class of people" at effectively zero margin, and make profit on membership feesJet’s  huge,  pre-launch  fundraising rounds, and subsequent  massively promoted public launch in July 2015Jet’s pivot in October 2015 to  drop the membership model (their only profit engine), and subsequent massive growth (but also accompanying massive losses) 'Admitting defeat” to Amazon in July 2016? Immediately followed by the  blockbuster $3B+ Walmart acquisition announcementIs e-commerce really a winner-take-all business and will Amazon just take over the world? Featuring liberal citations (again) of Ben Thompson's Aggregation Theory and the importance of customer experience. Is there any path for Walmart & Jet to compete effectively with Amazon? Is Marc Lore Walmart’s only hope?Fantastic  interview with Tim Cook discussing (among other things) the massive amount of growth still left in the internet   Followups: Lucasfilm: Star Wars Rouge One trailer drops! Featuring a strong female protagonist!   New section: Hot Takes! (thank you @cteitzel on Slack for the idea)  Verizon/AOL acquires Yahoo!Lyft reportedly turns down acquisition offer from GM Microsoft acquires Beam Randstad acquires Monster.com   The Carve Out:Ben: Michael Mauboussin’s Talk at Google and Reflections on the Ten Attributes of Great Investors after thirty years of honing his craftDavid: Strava, the fantastic social fitness-tracking appNone this week… coverage of Instagram Stories to come next time!

29 Elo 20161h 11min

Ben & David are joined by special guest Taylor Barada, VP and Head of Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships at Adobe, to discuss how large tech acquirers approach buying companies. This episode is full of great insights for startups & entrepreneurs who might find themselves navigating the M&A process, as well as anyone curious about the craft of dealmaking and the strategic approach of large acquirers. Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntress More Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCTopics covered include: How conversations begin between startups and acquirersThe importance of building a relationship with acquirers over time and "investing in lines, not dots” (just like raising VC)The often under-appreciated role of culture fit between acquirers and acquisition targets How entrepreneurs should evaluate acquirers throughout the M&A process Two examples of successful acquisitions Taylor completed at Yahoo in Citizen Sports and IntoNowThe M&A process at large technology acquirers, from initial conversations to LOI, due diligence and the definitive merger agreement The relative roles of Corp Dev, business/product owners and executive sponsors in the M&A processCommon mistakes startups (and VC’s) often make in the M&A processDifferent “categories” of M&A that acquirers think about, and the relative risks & opportunities of “core" acquisitions vs transformative new businesses What percentage of deals Adobe looks at actually happen, and the importance of being willing to say noM&A as a tool for strategy, and the different M&A cultures & approaches at different companies Tech themes Taylor and Adobe think about as part of their M&A strategyEvaluating the longterm success of deals and the importance of the M&A integration function   Followups: Ben & David’s quick take on Instagram Stories!   The Carve Out: Ben:  Why the Concorde failed by VoxDavid: Simone Biles,  the greatest gymnast of all timeTaylor:  Mindset by Carol Dweck,  Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam GrantNone this week… coverage of Instagram Stories to come next time!

22 Elo 20161h 10min

Topics covered include: Community Showcase: the Nexcast podcasting platform from listener Brian Sanders, along with their podcast chronicling the team’s journey building the company Waze’s origin in cofounder & CTO Ehud Shabtai’s desire to hack his portable GPS navigation unitWaze CEO Noam Bardin’s  retrospective blog post on the Waze journey  Waze’s Palo Alto office and the bizarre Silicon Valley phenomenon of tech companies being located in retail storefronts Apple’s  ill-fated launch of Apple Maps as part of iOS 6 at WWDC 2012, Apple’s subsequent apology letter, and  Scott Forstall’s ultimate ouster from the company The climax of the mobile platform wars… which it turns out Apple and Google  both won Apple, Facebook, and Google all vying to acquire Waze throughout 2013 Google’s renewed design ethos under Larry PageBen and David spontaneously agree (surprise) to create on a new category of acquisition for the show The increasing strategic value of data and data assets as technology enters the age of machine learning The coming mega trend of autonomous vehicles, and  the role Israeli startups are playing in it (including the globalization of startups & innovation)The disruptive power of network and data-based business modelsEmergence of native as *the* definitive advertising medium on mobile, including ability to close the advertising loop via location-based products and services Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntressMore Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCThe Carve Out:Ben: Weezer’s “Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori” on Song Exploder David:  Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” TED Talk  Followups: None this week… coverage of Instagram Stories to come next time!

3 Elo 20161h 7min

The meta show: Ben and David turn their gaze inward and examine the podcasting industry through E. W. Scripps’ recent acquisitions of the Midroll podcast advertising network and Stitcher podcast client. Featuring discussion of our own product process and metrics at Acquired. Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntressMore Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCAnnouncements: We’re pivoting! (not really) Our new show description: A Podcast About Technology Acquisitions That Actually Went WellBut we are launching a new feature! Since so many of you, our listeners, are also tech and startup folks and/or other builders, we wanted to create a space to feature cool products, companies and side projects you’re working on. Thus we’re adding a "Community Showcase” section to the show. If you’d like to be included just send us a Slack message or email, and we’ll choose one submission to feature on each show. This episode we’re highlighting BESTR, from community member David Resnick (aka @the_rezonator in Slack), which is an online platform to share lists of great things. Check it out and let David know what you think.   Topics covered include: Top Google search results for “acquired podcast"Midroll’s origins in the comedy podcast Comedy Bang Bang (now an tv show on IFC) and exit last year to Scripps The structural challenges inherent to podcasting as a medium and the gap between audience size/engagement and industry revenuesOpportunities for independent podcasters and our own audience and business metrics at Acquired Stitcher’s long corporate history as a venture backed company, first acquisition by French music company Deezer, and now second acquisition from Deezer by ScrippsProblems with Stitcher as a product and industry reaction to the acquisition including John Gruber's response, Ben Thompson’s article on Stratechery, and Ben & James Allworth's discussion on their excellent podcast ExponentHandicapping Stitcher+Midroll’s chances for success within Scripps, and opportunities for new startups & innovation in the podcasting spacePioneer Square Labs’ own past efforts in the podcasting space and their process for evaluating potential new company ideas Shoutout to Pocket Casts and our listeners down under   Followups: Twitch: bringing tipping onto the platform with the  launch of Cheering + Bits (H/t Slack community member jamesk)Facebook Instant Articles:  pour one out for Facebook Paper (developed by the Push Pop Press team)LinkedIn: the hotly anticipated SEC filing detailing all the negotiation drama is now live (scroll down to "Background of the Merger” on p.31)  The Carve Out: Ben: Mark Titus, AKA @ClubTrillion is joining the RingerDavid: OKR’s and regular goal setting, including great “how to" from  GV partner Rick Klau

12 Heinä 20161h 2min

Ben and David return to make their first foray into enterprise software, covering Salesforce’s $2.5B acquisition of ExactTarget in 2013 with the help of special guest and ExactTarget cofounder & CEO, Scott Dorsey.   Technical note: due to an issue we didn’t catch during recording, audio quality is significantly lower than usual for this episode (especially David’s voice). We apologize but hope you’ll give it a chance anyway— Scott offers great wisdom & insights, and the ExactTarget success story is a inspiring one underdog entrepreneurs, especially (but not limited to!) anyone located in the Midwest or elsewhere outside of traditional "Silicon Valley-style” tech hubs. Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntressMore Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCTopics covered include: The decision to start ExactTarget post-internet bubble and in Indianapolis, with zero software experience between Scott and cofounders Chris Baggott & Peter McCormickRaising initial money from friends & family, followed by early investment and mentoring from Indianapolis venture pioneer Bob ComptonBuilding and scaling a great sales organization within a technology companyThe importance of focusing early on a clearly defined target market (SMBs in the case of ExactTarget), and then “stair-stepping” up as the product and business scale grow over timeExactTarget’s unsuccessful first IPO filing during the financial crisisBuilding a "capital-efficient” early stage company, and the value of raising growth capital at the right time to step on the acceleratorThe value of “secondary” investments allowing founders, employees & early investors to “stay hungry” by achieving some liquidity along the wayWhen and how to expand internationally and the importance of strategic resellersExactTarget’s second successful IPO filing and life as a public company with quarterly financial reporting to Wall StreetHow the acquisition process played out with Salesforce and other bidders (including reference to ExactTarget’s incredible SEC filing detailing the entire negotiation—scroll down to "Background and Reasons for the ExactTarget Board’s Recommendation”, starting at the bottom of page 13)Approaching the difficult task of integrating a major acquisition involving thousands of peopleThe fun story of ExactTarget’s winning Microsoft as a large customer—including actual sledgehammersScott’s new Indianapolis-based venture studio, High AlphaPlus as always the "hard hitting" analysis across acquisition category, what would have happened otherwise, tech themes—and final grading  The Carve Out Ben: The Talk Show live at WWDC 2016 with Phil Schiller & Craig FederighiDavid: The Score Takes Care of Itself by legendary 49ers coach Bill Walsh, originally recommended by Jack Dorsey [no relation to Scott :) ] at YC Startup School '13Scott: 2016 Scipps National Spelling Bee, including one of the finalists’ favorite words: indefatigable  Followups: Instagram’s incredible user numbers announcement: 500M monthly active users / 300M daily active users

5 Heinä 20161h 16min

Ben and David cover the 3-day-old acquisition of LinkedIn by Microsoft for $26.2 billion. They cover LinkedIn’s founding story by Reid Hoffman, break down their core businesses, analyze recent stock behavior, and speculate on the future of the company inside Microsoft. The big question - were they worth the price tag?Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntressMore Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCItems Mentioned On The Show: Adweek: Snapchat Launches a Colossal Expansion of Its Advertising, Ushering in a New Era for the AppThe Facebook Effect - David KirkpatrickLinkedIn’s Series B pitch deck  LinkedIn’s S-1Microsoft and Apple Double Down - Stratechery NYT Dealbook on stock based compensation at LinkedIn Josh Elman - When people get confused about “BS metrics”Fred Wilson: The Dentist Office Software StoryThe Carve Out: Jeff Bezos at Code 2016 Elon Musk at Code 2016

16 Kesä 20161h 7min

Ben and David are joined by Todd Bishop, technology reporter and co-founder of GeekWire, to discuss Facebook's 2011 acquisition of Push Pop Press. Sponsors:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntressMore Acquired!:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCHighlights Include: The founding story of Push Pop Press by Kimon Tsinteris and Mike Matas.The evolution of Facebook Creative Labs, Facebook Paper, and eventually, Facebook Instant Articles.Facebook's role in the changing media landscape today.GeekWire's experiments with Facebook Instant Articles, Google Accelerated Mobile Pages, and live video.The Carve Out: The Startup Podcast Season 3 The Future of Technology is in Your Ear (Link to product) The Risk Not Taken

6 Kesä 20161h 3min