Yesterday we reported on Path’s new $8.5 million venture round, led by Kleiner Perkins and Index Ventures. I was curious about the valuation and pulled on a couple of threads. What unraveled was a stunning story about a startup that almost ran out of cash, a rebuffed $100 million buyout offer from Google, and, finally, a new round of financing.
Path is still very small, with just “hundreds of thousands” of users, said the company yesterday. It’s a private mobile network limited to just 50 friends, which makes viral spreading difficult. But we’re also hearing that 20% of active users are using it daily – a Zynga-like engagement rate that is a sign that at least some people really connect with Path.
In early December Path had a signed term sheet with Kleiner Perkins and Index. At that point Google made a move, eventually offering $100 million for the company plus an earnout of $25 million to be paid over four years. Taking that Google offer would seem to most people like a no brainer. And for founders like Dustin Mierau, who haven’t had liquidity events, a life changing experience.
Google was particularly interested in Path, we’ve heard from multiple sources, because they loved the team, particularly the team’s “design skills,” and were very enthusiastic to get a prominent ex-Facebooker, Morin, at Google. They hoped it might help Google recruit more Facebook employees over time.
But Path turned the offer down. And closed the deal with Kleiner and Index. At a roughly $25 million pre-money valuation, we’ve heard from multiple sources. Cofounder and CEO Dave Morin didn’t try to push the deal valuation up based on the Google offer, says a source close to the company – “He kept his word.”
The decision to turn Google down was not unanimous, according to sources, and may have become what some people are describing as “extremely contentious.” But Morin in particular seemed inclined to continue with Path and see it through.
Seems crazy? It’s all true. Dave Morin is crazy. Only time will tell if it’s good crazy or bad crazy.
Website: path.com Funding: $11.2M Path is the personal network. A place to be yourself and share life with your close friends and family. Founded by Dave Morin, previously Senior Platform Manager at… Learn More
Information provided by CrunchBase
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Google Tried To Buy Path For $100+ Million. Path Said No.
via techcrunch.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment