Comments on: Xobni Walks Away From A Microsoft Deal http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:47:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: A Xobni Executive Leaves The Red-Hot Startup. But Why? | NewsMeToday http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2418407 A Xobni Executive Leaves The Red-Hot Startup. But Why? | NewsMeToday Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:28:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2418407 [...] the Y Combinator email startup that turned down an acquisition offer from Microsoft earlier this year, has just lost its VP Engineering and first [...] [...] the Y Combinator email startup that turned down an acquisition offer from Microsoft earlier this year, has just lost its VP Engineering and first [...]

]]> By: A Xobni Executive Leaves The Red-Hot Startup. But Why? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2418011 A Xobni Executive Leaves The Red-Hot Startup. But Why? Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:48:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2418011 [...] the Y Combinator email startup that turned down an acquisition offer from Microsoft earlier this year, has just lost its VP Engineering and first [...] [...] the Y Combinator email startup that turned down an acquisition offer from Microsoft earlier this year, has just lost its VP Engineering and first [...]

]]> By: A Dolphin in a Pool of Sharks - Everywhere — A blog by Bizooki http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2405263 A Dolphin in a Pool of Sharks - Everywhere — A blog by Bizooki Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:14:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2405263 [...] and are even unveiling their own list of board members . E-mail innovator Xobni, on the other hand, cut off Microsoft’s seduction recently by turning down a $20 million pick-up [...] [...] and are even unveiling their own list of board members . E-mail innovator Xobni, on the other hand, cut off Microsoft’s seduction recently by turning down a $20 million pick-up [...]

]]> By: jozmexc crsap http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2318431 jozmexc crsap Thu, 22 May 2008 10:45:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2318431 pqmr xrqcm dkzq usoedpwk ldxn sflpuby xhpdzykl pqmr xrqcm dkzq usoedpwk ldxn sflpuby xhpdzykl

]]> By: Stephen Pitts http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2313299 Stephen Pitts Tue, 20 May 2008 19:45:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2313299 This is an awesome tool that I find extremely valuable, it is no wonder that Microsoft would want to integrate it as a feature in Outlook. I think if they had approached it in a better manner, it would soon be a valuable feature of Outlook. Microsoft is trying to haul in the "white whale" and I think that they will revisit this decision in the future. This is an awesome tool that I find extremely valuable, it is no wonder that Microsoft would want to integrate it as a feature in Outlook. I think if they had approached it in a better manner, it would soon be a valuable feature of Outlook.

Microsoft is trying to haul in the “white whale” and I think that they will revisit this decision in the future.

]]> By: Data Digga » In insight to how Xobni started http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2296911 Data Digga » In insight to how Xobni started Wed, 14 May 2008 20:15:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2296911 [...] http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/ Blogged with the Flock Browser Published in: News [...] [...] http://www.techcrunch.com/2008.....soft-deal/ Blogged with the Flock Browser Published in: News [...]

]]> By: Shock! Horror! Xobni makes Outlook useful! « Jay Eye Sea http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2296837 Shock! Horror! Xobni makes Outlook useful! « Jay Eye Sea Wed, 14 May 2008 19:34:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2296837 [...] decision not to sell to Microsoft (either because the price wasn’t right or because they didn’t like the idea of working there) maybe we’ll get a Gmail version too. . While we’re waiting for it, it’s a [...] [...] decision not to sell to Microsoft (either because the price wasn’t right or because they didn’t like the idea of working there) maybe we’ll get a Gmail version too. . While we’re waiting for it, it’s a [...]

]]> By: Xobni: Our Path from ‘Wrong Product’ to Killer App | DougsTech.com - Tech News, Reviews, and Guides http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2290124 Xobni: Our Path from ‘Wrong Product’ to Killer App | DougsTech.com - Tech News, Reviews, and Guides Mon, 12 May 2008 01:47:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2290124 [...] fit. This helped us quickly correct our course, and eventually produce a product that is making Microsoft drool. I’ll explain how we turned it [...] [...] fit. This helped us quickly correct our course, and eventually produce a product that is making Microsoft drool. I’ll explain how we turned it [...]

]]> By: Xobni: Our Path from ‘Wrong Product’ to Killer App - GigaOM http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2289260 Xobni: Our Path from ‘Wrong Product’ to Killer App - GigaOM Sun, 11 May 2008 13:32:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2289260 [...] fit. This helped us quickly correct our course, and eventually produce a product that is making Microsoft drool. I’ll explain how we turned it [...] [...] fit. This helped us quickly correct our course, and eventually produce a product that is making Microsoft drool. I’ll explain how we turned it [...]

]]> By: Jon's News Wrapup - May 8, 2008 Edition - Jon Galloway http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2283050 Jon's News Wrapup - May 8, 2008 Edition - Jon Galloway Thu, 08 May 2008 09:17:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2283050 [...] Xobni Walks Away From A Microsoft Deal "After negotiating over the past few weeks with Microsoft and signing a letter of intent to be acquired, e-mail startup Xobni has walked from the deal, according to a source close to the negotiations. The deal would have been a natural for Microsoft, which was offering to buy the two-year old startup for somewhere in the $20-million range." [...] [...] Xobni Walks Away From A Microsoft Deal "After negotiating over the past few weeks with Microsoft and signing a letter of intent to be acquired, e-mail startup Xobni has walked from the deal, according to a source close to the negotiations. The deal would have been a natural for Microsoft, which was offering to buy the two-year old startup for somewhere in the $20-million range." [...]

]]> By: Laurent’s blog » Microsoft signs LoI to acquire Xobni [follow-up] http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2281869 Laurent’s blog » Microsoft signs LoI to acquire Xobni [follow-up] Wed, 07 May 2008 22:05:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2281869 [...] 2008-04-30: The latest rumors are that Xobni simply walked away from the deal. Its fate was not that clear inside microsoft. But [...] [...] 2008-04-30: The latest rumors are that Xobni simply walked away from the deal. Its fate was not that clear inside microsoft. But [...]

]]> By: Xobni Acquires IP From Failed Web 1.0 Startup FireDrop http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2281298 Xobni Acquires IP From Failed Web 1.0 Startup FireDrop Wed, 07 May 2008 16:46:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2281298 [...] of the intellectual property of failed startups. Email startup Xobni, which recently turned down a $20 million acquisition offer from Microsoft, says they have acquired the key patents around a product called Zaplets which [...] [...] of the intellectual property of failed startups. Email startup Xobni, which recently turned down a $20 million acquisition offer from Microsoft, says they have acquired the key patents around a product called Zaplets which [...]

]]> By: Xobni reviewed… there’s more coming… « Good Deals. Good Ideas. Good Designs. Good Health. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2278803 Xobni reviewed… there’s more coming… « Good Deals. Good Ideas. Good Designs. Good Health. Wed, 07 May 2008 02:32:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2278803 [...] like this in any capacity—and Xobni recently turned down an offer from Microsoft according to TechCrunch. I asked Xobni’s Evan Solomon about what the company’s future plans are for new [...] [...] like this in any capacity—and Xobni recently turned down an offer from Microsoft according to TechCrunch. I asked Xobni’s Evan Solomon about what the company’s future plans are for new [...]

]]> By: Jon Beattie http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2269553 Jon Beattie Mon, 05 May 2008 17:38:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2269553 So their product is free. How do they propose to make any money? There is no expiry or trial period on the software. The only option would be to one day start charging me. I think the product is useful, however, would I pay much for it? I think it is in the $20-30 price range for a one off license. The whole social network in your inbox thing is completely overplayed. It is not really social networking, they are just playing up this angle for valuation purposes, otherwise they are just another third party plug-in for Outlook, and should be valued based on install base and projected revenue....oh wait, they don't have any. I would have taken the Microsoft deal but just bumped it up if $20 million wasn't going to be enough. Why did they need $4m in initial funding anyway? The only costs would be staff as they don't even need servers as this is a desktop application. So their product is free. How do they propose to make any money? There is no expiry or trial period on the software. The only option would be to one day start charging me. I think the product is useful, however, would I pay much for it? I think it is in the $20-30 price range for a one off license. The whole social network in your inbox thing is completely overplayed. It is not really social networking, they are just playing up this angle for valuation purposes, otherwise they are just another third party plug-in for Outlook, and should be valued based on install base and projected revenue….oh wait, they don’t have any. I would have taken the Microsoft deal but just bumped it up if $20 million wasn’t going to be enough. Why did they need $4m in initial funding anyway? The only costs would be staff as they don’t even need servers as this is a desktop application.

]]> By: Robert Miller http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2266167 Robert Miller Mon, 05 May 2008 06:25:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2266167 Xobni is an Outlook plug-in and not very good at that -- Something like lipstick on a slow pig that wants even more resources on my system. Shoot, I can not even tell Xobni to not index my email junk folder with all of the "Processed Pork" email in it. You would think they would have that much of a clue, but (since the team walked away from the Microsoft deal) I guess not. Xobni is an Outlook plug-in and not very good at that — Something like lipstick on a slow pig that wants even more resources on my system.

Shoot, I can not even tell Xobni to not index my email junk folder with all of the “Processed Pork” email in it. You would think they would have that much of a clue, but (since the team walked away from the Microsoft deal) I guess not.

]]> By: Yahoo is the big loser, but Microsoft isn’t far behind | Thought Stream: Nitin Badjatia's Weblog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2264308 Yahoo is the big loser, but Microsoft isn’t far behind | Thought Stream: Nitin Badjatia's Weblog Sun, 04 May 2008 22:50:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2264308 [...] much smaller - almost insignificant - deal apparently collapsed as Microsoft was unable to purchase Xobni for what seem to be reasons that are similar to the collapse of the Yahoo!’s deal. Both Xobni [...] [...] much smaller - almost insignificant - deal apparently collapsed as Microsoft was unable to purchase Xobni for what seem to be reasons that are similar to the collapse of the Yahoo!’s deal. Both Xobni [...]

]]> By: Leo Chen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2257890 Leo Chen Sat, 03 May 2008 21:25:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2257890 It's a no brainer to sell if Xobni is still pre-VC funding, but with ~$5m in VC & angel funding and likely liquidity preferences in the 2-3x range, the founders won't have much left and would have to move to MSFT to work for a couple of years. Of the few $Ms that the founders to get, who knows if they get all that money right away - maybe it's a 'get half now and another half after you work for 2yrs at MSFT'. Eitherway, probably better off taking a 6-figure salary working at Xobni and taking it the direction you want to take it. It’s a no brainer to sell if Xobni is still pre-VC funding, but with ~$5m in VC & angel funding and likely liquidity preferences in the 2-3x range, the founders won’t have much left and would have to move to MSFT to work for a couple of years. Of the few $Ms that the founders to get, who knows if they get all that money right away - maybe it’s a ‘get half now and another half after you work for 2yrs at MSFT’. Eitherway, probably better off taking a 6-figure salary working at Xobni and taking it the direction you want to take it.

]]> By: Squawk Box May 2 — Alec Saunders SquawkBox http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2252430 Squawk Box May 2 — Alec Saunders SquawkBox Fri, 02 May 2008 22:19:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2252430 [...] reports that Xobni walked away from being acquired by Microsoft.  They were worried about becoming just another Outlook feature, and have grander ambitions. [...] [...] reports that Xobni walked away from being acquired by Microsoft.  They were worried about becoming just another Outlook feature, and have grander ambitions. [...]

]]> By: Randall http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2251434 Randall Fri, 02 May 2008 18:48:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2251434 Who do they think they are? Facebook? Who do they think they are? Facebook?

]]> By: Chris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2247272 Chris Fri, 02 May 2008 03:21:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2247272 I liked the idea of Xobni and installed it. I uninstalled it the same day. Not enough users to really interact with, and none of my friends wanted to get a "beta" invite. Most of my IT friends are done with the beta testing. MS will clone it for their Office suite and own the market share for their product. I liked the idea of Xobni and installed it. I uninstalled it the same day. Not enough users to really interact with, and none of my friends wanted to get a “beta” invite. Most of my IT friends are done with the beta testing.

MS will clone it for their Office suite and own the market share for their product.

]]> By: Jeffrey Alexander Brathwaite http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2247041 Jeffrey Alexander Brathwaite Fri, 02 May 2008 02:19:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2247041 I love the search feature and boy does this plugin make finding phone numbers in signitures a breeze. Not sure why they won't sell they can't be in a better position to sell to microsoft outright and start up another company then do it again. I love the search feature and boy does this plugin make finding phone numbers in signitures a breeze. Not sure why they won’t sell they can’t be in a better position to sell to microsoft outright and start up another company then do it again.

]]> By: John http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2247027 John Fri, 02 May 2008 02:15:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2247027 If xobni knows that Microsoft will counter with a bigger offer (like that Yahoo debacle), then they should hold out for a while. If xobni knows that Microsoft will counter with a bigger offer (like that Yahoo debacle), then they should hold out for a while.

]]> By: Edo van Santen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2244725 Edo van Santen Thu, 01 May 2008 17:50:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2244725 They are right! The beta version works great, when they are patient for another year, they will have more happy customers and make 10 times the money. They are right! The beta version works great, when they are patient for another year, they will have more happy customers and make 10 times the money.

]]> By: steve http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2244088 steve Thu, 01 May 2008 15:38:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2244088 Bob (@42) has it exactly right in the first part of his comment. 6% (what a great deal for $12K) in the seed, maybe 10% on the angel, and, with 3 firms on the A and some indidual investors, there is no way the two founders have more than 15% each after creating an employee pool - and that is probably high. Bob (@42) has it exactly right in the first part of his comment. 6% (what a great deal for $12K) in the seed, maybe 10% on the angel, and, with 3 firms on the A and some indidual investors, there is no way the two founders have more than 15% each after creating an employee pool - and that is probably high.

]]> By: Erik http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2243732 Erik Thu, 01 May 2008 14:26:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/30/xobni-walks-away-from-a-microsoft-deal/#comment-2243732 The raised $5 million. What was the post money on that? $18 million? A $20 million exit is a huge FAIL. VC's don't want 1.1X returns. The lesson here is don't take too much money if you want a quick flip. The raised $5 million. What was the post money on that? $18 million?

A $20 million exit is a huge FAIL.

VC’s don’t want 1.1X returns.

The lesson here is don’t take too much money if you want a quick flip.

]]>