[Gustomaximus]

And there are so many side benefits. Obviously Google employees are likely to be capable and smart individuals. So I wonder how much value is in having these type of employees take ideas to the company rather than planing to branch off for most companies that would scoff at letting you do a side project for a while.

In a region like silicon valley the opportunity and availability to walk away for a startup is huge this could act as a retention tool also. Better to let a talent disappear for 20% of their time than lose them altogether.