Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

techcrunch.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 65 posts

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#21

Post by ed »

leftnode wrote: post #14
prs wrote: post #6

Given that Slide has received $78M in funding this exit does not look very exciting to my eyes. Nevertheless, congratulations to Max for yet another sold company.

I saw that and wondered where $78 million goes in creating a games site. That seems like a tremendous amount of money. Oh well, congrats I suppose.

Most of it is ad spend, essentially insulating the company from challengers by creating an artificial barrier to entry. It's now nearly impossible to compete in the space unless you're very well funded or cater to a niche.

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#23

Post by coryl »

vibhavs wrote: post #4

"If Slide cashes out for $1.5 billion, Levchin 'would regard it as abject failure'," Slide investor David Weiden of Khosla Ventures told BusinessWeek in 2007. source: http://www.businessinsider.com/if-slide-cashes-out-for-15-bi... edit: note that PayPal was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion.

Wow, talk about hype. That kind of quote is like bubble era speculation, just feeding the frenzy. I always wondered why Slide was kept in such high regard when all they made was slideshows and facebook apps. I mean, sure the guy has a reputation, but what were they making that was so noteworthy and game changing?

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#24

Post by dotBen »

If $182m is the true price it's a total firesale. They raised $78m at a $500m valuation.

With costs, liquidation preferences, etc I wonder if the common shareholders will see anything. Even BI is correct at $228m it's pretty slim pickings.

My guess is Google want Levchin to be GM of the new Google social network (he has experience of social thru Slide and payments thru PayPal of course) and this is really a talent acquisition as much as anything.

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#25

Post by dotBen »

ed wrote: post #3

$182 Million may sound like a lot, but remember that not too long ago this company was raising capital at a valuation of $2 billion . I expect there will be little cash, if any, left for employees after investor payouts.

Do you have a source for the $2bn valuation. I've seen (+ personally remember) a $0.5bn figure but can't source $2bn.

Thanks

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#26

Post by harscoat »

jw84 wrote: post #5

What does Slide... do?

Slide illustrates "Stick to the point and say it in a single sentence. I know it sounds a little crazy, but indeed I’ve come to agree that a clear, compelling elevator pitch is essential to growing a business. (And I’ve paid dearly for the evidence.)" http://whohastimeforthis.blogspot.com/2006/01/practicing-art...

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#27

Post by nivertech »

betterlabs wrote: post #19

Max is awesome and I love his attitude. But I just never ever understood Slide. And why Google would buy Slide is equally difficult to understand, if not more. Are they buying technology? Or users (on Facebook!)? Or revenues (most likely not!)? Or Max and his team?

Why Google buying Slide? Probably some VC, who invested in Slide, also sit on Google's board. That's why ;)

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#28

Post by Tycho »

It's funny: on one hand Slide seems such a feeble business proposition compared to the mighty PayPal, but on the other hand photo sharing has been the very thing that's fuelled so much consumer activity over the last decade (Facebook, MySpace, camera phones, memes...). What's the word on Slide's arch rival, RockYou or whatever it's called - valued higher than Slide?

There was another idea that came out of the Maxcubator at the same time as Slide, can't remember what it was (i read it in The Facebook Story) may have involved Peter Theil, it seemed like the best idea but Levchin passed it up for The Slide concept.

Re: Google Buys Slide for $182 Million, Getting More Serious about Social Games

#30

Post by samratjp »

pjhyett wrote: post #22

I'll never understand why Max took his Paypal money and built an online widget company. Hopefully he'll attempt something meaningful next time.

Like his meaningful investing in WePay (which does seem meaningful) -http://www.businessinsider.com/max-levchin-is-pretty-excited...
Post reply on HN