I was just about to write something about Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick when I realized that Fred Wilson not only totally beat me at it but also said everything I wanted to say.
Fred wrote a very interesting post which I think is definitely worth reading.
I do not, however agree with him on the fact that Google as a big company is losing the potential to innovate. Google did so and set up a “business-model”/office environment in which it is possible to do so.
I think Google will keep innovating as long as it stays true to its ideal of being a PhD company and allowing its employees to take the time and the funds to come up with brilliant ideas and develop them.
BTW I think Google’s move in acquiring DoubleClick was brilliant, it perfectly complements the business it has been setting up in the last few years. Yes, considerably more expensive than it would have been to develop something in-house, but this way no competitor can get its hands on a ready-made solution.
