Everyone laughed when Google bought a 22-month-old startup for $50 Million...
Now, that "startup" has 3.9 BILLION users.
It makes more money than Snapchat, Airbnb and Uber COMBINED.
Here's how a "tiny" purchase now powers half the world: 𧡠x.com
Now, that "startup" has 3.9 BILLION users.
It makes more money than Snapchat, Airbnb and Uber COMBINED.
Here's how a "tiny" purchase now powers half the world: 𧡠x.com
2003: A tiny startup in Palo Alto had a wild idea.
Not for phones β but for digital cameras.
The founder, Andy Rubin, wanted to create an OS that would connect cameras to the cloud.
But then something fascinating happened: x.com
Not for phones β but for digital cameras.
The founder, Andy Rubin, wanted to create an OS that would connect cameras to the cloud.
But then something fascinating happened: x.com
The team noticed a massive shift:
People were ditching standalone cameras for phones.
Their data was mind-blowing:
β’ Phone processors matched 1998 PC power
β’ 675M phones shipped in 2004 vs 178M PCs
So they pivoted to mobile: x.com
People were ditching standalone cameras for phones.
Their data was mind-blowing:
β’ Phone processors matched 1998 PC power
β’ 675M phones shipped in 2004 vs 178M PCs
So they pivoted to mobile: x.com
They planned to charge licensing fees β just like Microsoft.
But when Android pitched Samsung in Seoul...
Samsung laughed: "You have 6 people. Microsoft has thousands."
2 weeks later, with their bank account nearly empty, Larry Page called.
He saw something everyone missed: x.com
But when Android pitched Samsung in Seoul...
Samsung laughed: "You have 6 people. Microsoft has thousands."
2 weeks later, with their bank account nearly empty, Larry Page called.
He saw something everyone missed: x.com
Mobile wasn't about selling software. It was about controlling the gateway to the internet itself.
If Microsoft dominated mobile like they did PCs, Google's future was at risk.
So When Rubin got to the monetization slide, Page cut him off: x.com
If Microsoft dominated mobile like they did PCs, Google's future was at risk.
So When Rubin got to the monetization slide, Page cut him off: x.com
"Don't worry about that. Just build the best possible phone."
After the $50M acquisition, Google made three moves that changed everything: x.com
After the $50M acquisition, Google made three moves that changed everything: x.com
1. They kept Android secret for 2 years, perfecting the platform
2. Made it completely open-source, letting anyone use & modify it
3. Released new versions yearly, rapidly catching up to competitors
But the masterstroke came next: x.com
2. Made it completely open-source, letting anyone use & modify it
3. Released new versions yearly, rapidly catching up to competitors
But the masterstroke came next: x.com
November 2007: Google unveiled something unprecedented...
The Open Handset Alliance:
Thirty-four companies joining forces to create a new mobile ecosystem.
Each player had a crucial role:
The Open Handset Alliance:
Thirty-four companies joining forces to create a new mobile ecosystem.
Each player had a crucial role:
β’ HTC/Samsung: Building cutting-edge hardware
β’ Qualcomm: Optimizing chip performance
β’ T-Mobile: Opening distribution channels
β’ Motorola: Providing radio expertise
But Google added one requirement that changed everything: x.com
β’ Qualcomm: Optimizing chip performance
β’ T-Mobile: Opening distribution channels
β’ Motorola: Providing radio expertise
But Google added one requirement that changed everything: x.com
To use Android, manufacturers had to dance to Google's tune.
Pass rigorous compatibility tests. Pre-install Google's apps. Make them prominent.
And most importantly? Set Google as the default search engine.
The platform was free. But attention? That came at a price.
This created an unstoppable flywheel:
Pass rigorous compatibility tests. Pre-install Google's apps. Make them prominent.
And most importantly? Set Google as the default search engine.
The platform was free. But attention? That came at a price.
This created an unstoppable flywheel:
β’ Free Android β More manufacturers adopt
β’ More phones β More users
β’ More users β More app developers
β’ More apps β Even more users
By 2016, the numbers were staggering:
β’ More phones β More users
β’ More users β More app developers
β’ More apps β Even more users
By 2016, the numbers were staggering:
The $50M investment had transformed into:
β’ $31B in total revenue
β’ $22B in pure profit
β’ 30% cut of all app sales
β’ $100B+ in mobile ads annually
β’ 70% of global smartphones
But Google wasn't done yet: x.com
β’ $31B in total revenue
β’ $22B in pure profit
β’ 30% cut of all app sales
β’ $100B+ in mobile ads annually
β’ 70% of global smartphones
But Google wasn't done yet: x.com
They expanded beyond phones with ruthless precision:
2011: Tablets (Android Honeycomb)
2014: Watches (Android Wear)
2014: TVs (Android TV)
2017: Cars (Android Automotive)
Each new platform feeding data back to Google's empire.
The winning formula became clear: x.com
2011: Tablets (Android Honeycomb)
2014: Watches (Android Wear)
2014: TVs (Android TV)
2017: Cars (Android Automotive)
Each new platform feeding data back to Google's empire.
The winning formula became clear: x.com
Control the platform, not just products.
Think in decades, not quarters. Today's founders face a similar moment:
The attention economy is transforming before our eyes.
Traditional advertising costs have skyrocketed. Cold outreach is dying a slow death.
But in this chaos lies opportunity. Just like 2005:
Think in decades, not quarters. Today's founders face a similar moment:
The attention economy is transforming before our eyes.
Traditional advertising costs have skyrocketed. Cold outreach is dying a slow death.
But in this chaos lies opportunity. Just like 2005:
Google controlled the platform upon which to monetize further.
The best founders are seizing control of their distribution too. How?
By building personal brands. Creating authentic content. Owning their audience.
It's the new OS for business:
The best founders are seizing control of their distribution too. How?
By building personal brands. Creating authentic content. Owning their audience.
It's the new OS for business:
You build unprecedented trust at scale. Plus:
β’ There are zero marginal cost to scale
β’ Audience control = attention control
β’ Network effects compound daily
Use it to get customers, investors, partners, and top talent on autopilot.
The early movers will win, just like 2005.
β’ There are zero marginal cost to scale
β’ Audience control = attention control
β’ Network effects compound daily
Use it to get customers, investors, partners, and top talent on autopilot.
The early movers will win, just like 2005.
Founders: Weβll build your personal/company brand on π (and beyond) without you lifting a finger.
To date, we've already helped 60+ founders get 2+ Billion combined views.
Interested in how we can do this for you? Book your free discovery call here: form.typeform.com
To date, we've already helped 60+ founders get 2+ Billion combined views.
Interested in how we can do this for you? Book your free discovery call here: form.typeform.com
Thanks for reading! A bit about me:
2 years ago, I cofounded @ThoughtleadrX β a premium personal branding agency for world-class founders, executives, and investors to dominate socials.
If you enjoyed this, hit "follow" for more breakdowns! x.com
2 years ago, I cofounded @ThoughtleadrX β a premium personal branding agency for world-class founders, executives, and investors to dominate socials.
If you enjoyed this, hit "follow" for more breakdowns! x.com
Weβre hiring!
Weβre looking for top writers & content strategists for our agency:
β’ Generalists
β’ Crypto/Web3
Key requirements:
β’ Native English speaker
β’ Location: Must be based in Europe, UK, or Canada
β’ Time zones: Must align with US Eastern working hours
Want to work with our amazing portfolio of founders? Apply here: heathered-puma-5f6.notion.site
Weβre looking for top writers & content strategists for our agency:
β’ Generalists
β’ Crypto/Web3
Key requirements:
β’ Native English speaker
β’ Location: Must be based in Europe, UK, or Canada
β’ Time zones: Must align with US Eastern working hours
Want to work with our amazing portfolio of founders? Apply here: heathered-puma-5f6.notion.site
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