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EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

uncrunched.com

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Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#21

Post by kmfrk »

hassy wrote: post #13
jnorthrop wrote: post #5

"It’s been a long journey for Hunch." They were founded in 2008 and sold for $80m 3 years later. That is considered a "long journey" these days? Statements like this give me that "we're in a bubble" feeling.

I am somewhat disappointed since Chris Dixon has said Hunch would be in it for the long-term. (I've followed Hunch since it's early days* and always wanted to see it go big.) $80m is a nice pay-out though, the systems they've built have the potential to bring an immense amount of value to eBay's offerings, and a lot of that money will trickle down to other startups via angel investments. * http://hassy.posterous.com/…

    Hunch is not for sale. The founders have already sold companies before and have no desire to sell Hunch. We want to build it into a large company.
    
    hunch responded one year ago
http://www.formspring.me/hunch/q/1392572735

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#22

Post by arctangent »

arturadib wrote: post #17
AznHisoka wrote: post #9

Wow, this is like a knight in a white horse for Hunch.. I seriously doubt they were making any profit... This sounds like a talent acquisition. I mean this is ridiculous... but it goes to show you.. you gotta show up for the game (the startup game, I mean) to win it... $80 m for a site that doesn't even get 1 million uniques (per Compete) a month is a STEAL. I mean.. seriously, everyone who has a CS background should…

> everyone who has a CS background should just start something on the side if a deal like this is possible Chris Dixon is a veteran investor and entrepreneur, with enormous visibility in the tech world. Contacts with potential acquirers are a non-issue for him. A poor CS fellow could have created a version of Hunch that was 100x better and they still would have 1,000x less of an exit opportunity as compared to any st…

If this really is true then it's a sad indictment of the state of the startup scene.

Perhaps your hypothetical fellow should focus on building a "lifestyle business" instead of trying to get big and then get acquired...

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#23

Post by hassy »

suking wrote: post #20
vaksel wrote: post #3

did anyone actually use Hunch seriously?

No freaking kidding - only thing I saw the founder do was interview people on TC. Never heard anyone mention hunch outside of those interviews. What is ebay thinking?

> What is ebay thinking?

Impressive back-end tech (the recommendation engine) that can now process millions and millions of items on eBay to help increase sales (something like a quarter of Amazon's sales come from recommendations).

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#24

Post by suking »

hassy wrote: post #23
suking wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No freaking kidding - only thing I saw the founder do was interview people on TC. Never heard anyone mention hunch outside of those interviews. What is ebay thinking?

> What is ebay thinking? Impressive back-end tech (the recommendation engine) that can now process millions and millions of items on eBay to help increase sales (something like a quarter of Amazon's sales come from recommendations).

Very hard to imagine ebay doesn't already do a good job of this with their years of experience. I mean it's possible, but I doubt it.

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#25

Post by dmix »

arctangent wrote: post #22
arturadib wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> everyone who has a CS background should just start something on the side if a deal like this is possible Chris Dixon is a veteran investor and entrepreneur, with enormous visibility in the tech world. Contacts with potential acquirers are a non-issue for him. A poor CS fellow could have created a version of Hunch that was 100x better and they still would have 1,000x less of an exit opportunity as compared to any st…

If this really is true then it's a sad indictment of the state of the startup scene. Perhaps your hypothetical fellow should focus on building a "lifestyle business" instead of trying to get big and then get acquired...

Technically he should be a software developer with a $120-200k salary working at Google, saving money with compound interest and getting company stock. Thats the easiest way as a CS grad to become wealthy - if thats your goal.

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#27

Post by dgurney »

Something about Hunch's trajectory is utterly predictable and ever-so-slightly depressing. I suppose building to sell is a perfectly valid business model -- if you succeed -- but it makes me feel a little dirty. And if nobody buys you, you're well and truly f#%@$ed.

Although who am I to argue with $80 million.

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#29

Post by jjm »

kmfrk wrote: post #21
hassy wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am somewhat disappointed since Chris Dixon has said Hunch would be in it for the long-term. (I've followed Hunch since it's early days* and always wanted to see it go big.) $80m is a nice pay-out though, the systems they've built have the potential to bring an immense amount of value to eBay's offerings, and a lot of that money will trickle down to other startups via angel investments. * http://hassy.posterous.com/…

Hunch is not for sale. The founders have already sold companies before and have no desire to sell Hunch. We want to build it into a large company. hunch responded one year ago http://www.formspring.me/hunch/q/1392572735

I've learned that in one year, one's goals can change dramatically.

Re: EBay acquires Hunch for $80m

#30

Post by AznHisoka »

jjm wrote: post #29
kmfrk wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hunch is not for sale. The founders have already sold companies before and have no desire to sell Hunch. We want to build it into a large company. hunch responded one year ago http://www.formspring.me/hunch/q/1392572735

I've learned that in one year, one's goals can change dramatically.

It's also one thing to say something. But the situation changes when a ton of money is actually thrown right in front of you.
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