Quaero got US$306 million investment ( http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=136759 ). SearchMe got US$31 million from Sequoia ( http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=134291 ). Ex-Googlers start a search engine. Perhaps this is because Google stock options will be vesting in Aug 2008 and Google will rapidly become a shell of itself before Christmas:
By some estimates, more than 900 employees became instant millionaires when Google went public in August 2004, and that total has likely ballooned along with the stock price. ... By some estimates, nearly a third of the first 500 Googlers have departed, and many more of the estimated 2,200 pre-IPO employees are planning an exit as their stock vests. -- http://www.news.com/Life-after-Google%2C-with-millions/2100-...
True, but they've been vetted for intelligence, programming skills and analytical thinking by a very rigorous selection process (much like YC) which helps with recruiting and money raising (again just like the YC brand does). And every one of them can afford to bootstrap his next 50 startups.
By some estimates, more than 900 employees became instant millionaires when Google went public in August 2004, and that total has likely ballooned along with the stock price. ... By some estimates, nearly a third of the first 500 Googlers have departed, and many more of the estimated 2,200 pre-IPO employees are planning an exit as their stock vests. -- http://www.news.com/Life-after-Google%2C-with-millions/2100-...