Re:Ask HN: Was 20% time a good policy for Google's working c...
by jasongrishkoff on Sunday December 13, 2020 @03:16PM
(#25409797)
They were very supportive of my departure to pursue my own business, and I've kept in touch with a number of folks there over the years. I was offered a "sabbatical" of sorts (assuming things didn't work out), but I declined that on grounds that accepting it would convey that I didn't have full faith in my ability to make it on my own. Thank goodness it all worked out in the end :-D
In my future perfect alternate reality:
Google Ventures, GoogleX, or even just thwarted & bored midlevel manager aspiring to become an angel investor, would offer seed capital to any one turning in their badge.
"Hey @jasongrishkoff, if you ever need some cash for an idea, please talk to me first."
In my mind, that parting offer is central to Silicon Valley's magic. There's an apocryphal tale about a much disliked boss offering seed money to mutinous employees. I thought it was Shockley and the Traitorous Eight, but I can't find a cite.