On: Makani’s time as an “other bet” comes to an end

[KKKKkkkk1]

Google X aka the moonshot factory has existed for longer than the original Apollo program. Has it launched any successful products for Alphabet?

[mdonahoe → KKKKkkkk1]

The Apollo program didn’t exactly reach product-market fit either. It too got shutdown by price-conscious Congress.

Moonshots are inspirational, but sadly do not seem sustainable.

On the other hand, I wonder how many successful startups ex-X employees will have launched.

[jacquesm → mdonahoe]

They worked just fine, they delivered the product that was required: a PR victory over the USSR which had stolen America's thunder in the space race.

[mdonahoe → jacquesm]

So taking that analogy backward: who was Google's USSR that motivated them to start X?

Facebook?

[jacquesm → mdonahoe]

No, more that they don't want to be seen as 'just' a monopolistic search/advertising company, plus diversification if done successfully can lead to risk reduction.