Google keeps ex-Googlers close through investments, and there's nothing wrong with that

Lately, a report said how tech startups pose threat to Fortune 500 companies and their head honchos. While it seemed a bit out of proportion, the report did hit the right chords when talking about how the best startups have been acquired by biggies. Whether done to nip it in the bud or add to the company’s muscle power, there is no denying this sort of trend. Employees of many giant companies are known to have set out to build innovative products. Now, Google seems to be finding newer ways to keep at least ex-Googlers who have set on their own path under its fold. It wasn’t too long ago that we heard about Google’s in-house startup incubator internally known as Area 120 , the name borrowed by the famous “20 percent time” philosophy that Google follows, wherein it asks employees to invest 20 percent of their time in something they like. But, spend that 20 percent time doing things you like, but ‘for Google’, should we say? The entrepreneurial space will let Google employees develop their ideas, which will be supported and funded by Google. With this move, it is possible that the company may be able to encourage employees to work on something new and retain it, rather than lose talent. And, there is absolutely, nothing wrong with that. And, even if these ex-Googlers decide to set out independently, Google is trying to keep them within reach via investments. Re/code points out, citing internal sources, Google is trying to keep ex-Googlers close by investing in their startups. For instance, Google has invested in a new social media startup called Hello Network, that belong none other than Orkut Büyükkökten. Now, that’s a familiar name, isn’t it? “Google is funding the companies using convertible notes. While Google’s staff is acting as an adviser, the search giant does not have special rights in the terms, like first dibs on an acquisition,” the report claims Interestingly, the fund are flowing directly from Google (via M&A boss Don Harrison and his team), and not via its investment arm Google Capital. Needless to say, executives Don Harrison is among the ones managing the Area 120. By providing an in-house incubator and investing in startups of former Googlers, the company not only wants to try its luck at retaining talent and the subsequent innovation, but also maintain a cordial relationship with employees who have set out to build independent companies.