Many of Google’s biggest product lines and innovations have come via acquisitions. Blogger, Google+ and Android are just three examples of products that were heavily developed through mergers and acquisitions. Google looks for companies that are a strategic fit for what Google is working on both now and in the future. They also look at personalities of the founders and entrepreneurs with passion.
Despite their rigid selection process, Google acquisitions aren’t always successful. Around 2/3 have achieved success post-acquisition. Dave Sobota, Director of Corporate Development, isn’t concerned though. “If some haven’t been failures, then we aren’t taking enough risks,” he said.
Google has also been under fire for some more recent acquisitions. Their $1 billion purchase of Waze is under anti-trust review. Their much ballyhooed purchase of Zagat may have already gone by the wayside.
The following infographic from WebFX takes a historical look at Google acquisitions.
[Click here for full size version]
Co-founder and Vice President of SearchRank, responsible for many of the day to day operations of the company. She is also founder of The Arizona Builders’ Zone, a construction / home improvement portal.
