[mlindner]

He did create Tesla. He went to AC Propulsion and tried to form a company with them but they weren't interested and instead directed him to two guys who had incorporation papers and nothing else. He then funded 90% of the Series A round when there were only the two "founders". He was involved with the company from that point forward.

[FireBeyond]

> instead directed him to two guys who had incorporation papers and nothing else

That's not true.

They were already working on a proprietary motor that would go on to become the basis of the Tesla motor.

They got Series A funding from Musk and other sources (though Musk was the largest funder) at the start of 2004.

He also wasn't really involved in day to day ops, but provided "vision" for the Roadster from 2007 onwards - that's when he became more involved.

[mlindner]

Do you have a source on what they were doing before Series A? I didn't start paying close attention personally until around the time the Model S started getting close to production. I've never heard anything about a "proprietary motor".