Introducing Google Glass Ventures?
February 22, 2013: 4:48 PM ET
Google Glass may spawn a whole new world of startups.
FORTUNE -- Okay, there isn't yet a Google Glass Ventures. Or, more specifically, not yet.
Google (GOOG) is getting all sorts of buzz for its new Glass product, which basically would transfer the wonder of your smartphone to your regular field of vision. The best review so far is from Joshua Topolsky, who also reports that the actual device could be available to consumers by year-end at around a sub-$1,500 price point.
Maybe this will just turn out to be Google's version of the Segway, a revolutionary device that no one really wants to use. But there's a decent chance that it will be closer to the iPhone -- a must-have product that spawns an entire new universe of companies.
That's why a bunch of venture capitalists I've spoken to today sound more excited than they have in years, and all are "working multiple angles" to get their hands on one. No one can quite define for me what the future investment opportunities will be, but why not an app that connects photo snaps to a slightly-longer eyelid blink? Or facial recognition software that connects people at a business event to your LinkedIn (LNKD) account? Seriously, there are some endless possibilities.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some venture capital firm sets $10 million aside for a "Glass Fund," just as we've seen Java Funds and iFunds in the past. If this is really the future, then the investment opportunity is nearly now...
Sign up for Dan's daily email newsletter on deals and deal-makers: GetTermSheet.com
-
Centerview Partners: Small bank, big influence
Why this boutique investment bank matters on Wall Street -- and beyond.
FORTUNE -- As big investment banks wrestle with tarnished reputations and accusations of conflicts of interest, the allure of Wall Street boutiques only grows. They offer advice -- nothing else -- and have none of the other operations, such as trading, that breed conflicts. One firm little known outside of financial circles, Centerview Partners, has become a key player. MORE
Shawn Tully, senior editor-at-large - Aug 27, 2012 5:00 AM ET -
Google's WildFire deal could be worth $400 million
Google pays big to get into the social marketing biz.
FORTUNE -- Google (GOOG) yesterday announced that it had acquired social marketing company Wildfire Interactive, apparently after previously losing out on Buddy Media to Salesforce.com (CRM). A few notes, based on conversations with folks close to the situation:
1. How much? The reported sale price is $250 million, but multiple sources tell me that the total deal is valued at around $400 million MORE
Dan Primack - Aug 1, 2012 10:31 AM ET -
Google's Schmidt: Marissa Mayer got 'promotion'
Can you get "promoted" by another employer?
FORTUNE -- Google (GOOG) executive chairman Eric Schmidt appeared at Fortune Brainstorm Tech in Aspen last night, to debate the future of technology with Peter Thiel. But he didn't comment on the news that Google executive Marissa Mayer had just been named CEO of Yahoo (YHOO), so a Reuters reporter and I decided to ask him about it after he left the stage.
Schmidt first said MORE
Dan Primack - Jul 17, 2012 11:22 AM ET -
Google IPO architect on Facebook
Is Facebook the last IPO of its kind?
FORTUNE -- Facebook (FB) is just one day away from pricing the most highly-anticipated IPO since Google (GOOG), so I reached out to Lise Buyer -- one of the lead architects of Google's offering -- for her thoughts.This is what she wrote back:
The story I haven't seen yet is that this may be the last of its kind, at least as far as MORE
Dan Primack - May 16, 2012 4:17 PM ET -
Stop comparing Facebook to Google
Not all Internet juggernauts are the same.
FORTUNE -- I regretted it the instant I said it, during an appearance yesterday on CNBC: "Facebook is more like Google."
It was one of those television moments when my mouth began filling dead air before my brain could catch up. I did sprinkle some context around the line, about how Facebook and Google (GOOG) were both "once in a tech generation" outliers, but it remained MORE
Dan Primack - May 8, 2012 9:27 AM ET -
Yahoo's suitors: The good, the bad, the ugly
The question isn't who is exploring a Yahoo deal, it's who isn't. Here's a rundown of the latest rumors, and what does and doesn't work about their potential deals with the struggling company.
FORTUNE -- While Jerry Yang may not believe that Yahoo is on the auction block, the Wall Street Journal is full of reports that there are companies and private equity firms preparing to swallow up the battered, bruised, MORE
Katie Benner - Oct 24, 2011 10:47 AM ET -
Google's tax bill
Google (GOOG) this afternoon reported that it easily topped Q3 revenue expectations, with $9.72 billion. It also reported that it has more than 40 million users of its Google+ social service, although it's unclear how deep the average engagement is compared to that of Facebook users.
One of the more interesting items in Google's release involves its tax bill. The search giant reports that its "effective tax rate was 19% for MORE
Dan Primack - Oct 13, 2011 4:28 PM ET -
Did Google really offer '$6 billion' for Groupon?
Was Groupon really worth $6 billion to Google?
Bloomberg today found an IPO analyst who doesn't think Groupon can go public at a valuation higher than $5 billion. And maybe as low as $3 billion. Those figures are notable for two reasons:
1. Reports over the summer were that Groupon wanted to price at $25 billion.
2. Groupon reportedly turned down a $6 billion acquisition offer from Google (GOOG) late last year.Bloomberg then MORE
Dan Primack - Oct 3, 2011 4:29 PM ET -
Will Google try to fold OpenTable?
Google didn't just buy restaurant reviews with Zagat. It bought restaurant relationships.
Google (GOOG) this morning announced that it has acquired Zagat, a company known for its burgendy-covered compilations of restaurant customer reviews. The search giant's says its plan is to use Zagat as the "cornerstone of our local offering," but that may be a nice way of saying: We're going to compete with OpenTable (OPEN).
OpenTable stock is getting pummeled on MORE
Dan Primack - Sep 8, 2011 12:47 PM ET
| Bernanke's advice for college grads | ||
| The Winklevoss twins are Bitcoin bulls | ||
| Signs of new housing bubble in several areas | ||
| Bloomberg's lazy Apple bias | ||
| Dirty medicine |
