[ucaetano]

Which most likely meant the startup was a feature or a product, not a company with a viable business model.

[hueving]

Gmail is free. Does that mean email service is not a product? Why does fastmail exist?

[Tom4hawk]

Because there are people (like me) who value their privacy/data.

[ucaetano]

It is free for consumers, not for organizations. Gmail for consumers doesn't have a business model by itself, but it fits into Google's larger business model.

[Scarblac]

If it wasn't a viable business model, Google wouldn't move into the space. It's just that they first use their infinite pocket money to kill off all the competition, then switch to making money.

[ucaetano]

> If it wasn't a viable business model, Google wouldn't move into the space.

Wrong, maybe that "space" (feature or product) goes well with Google's business model, but wouldn't support a viable business mode by itself.

[imron]

Being bought/aquihired by Google/others seems to be a business model several companies aim for.

[ucaetano]

That's not a business model for the company. But it is for the investors.

[sullyj3]

A lot of the time they have enough in house talent to not need to

[imron]

That doesn't stop other companies seeing it as a viable business model.