Benedict Townsend

With the VC relationship already solidified, Russ and the team were able to push ahead without the usual monetary headaches of other startups.

With the VC relationship already solidified, Russ and the team were able to push ahead without the usual monetary headaches of other startups.

The beta, if you don't know, is an early form of a product that you can kind of test and try out. You see, they never pitched Vine. They just let people play with it. And the results spoke for themselves. Checks were being signed before the six seconds had even elapsed.

The beta, if you don't know, is an early form of a product that you can kind of test and try out. You see, they never pitched Vine. They just let people play with it. And the results spoke for themselves. Checks were being signed before the six seconds had even elapsed.

You might have noticed that Russ doesn't exactly get excited about much or seemingly anything. He's a classic inventor, more concerned with product than with popularity. And the product, the product was good. Like really, really good. The biggest names in tech were coming knocking. The stakes had never been higher and investors urged caution.

You might have noticed that Russ doesn't exactly get excited about much or seemingly anything. He's a classic inventor, more concerned with product than with popularity. And the product, the product was good. Like really, really good. The biggest names in tech were coming knocking. The stakes had never been higher and investors urged caution.

They advised Russ and the team to let the experts handle the negotiations. But they didn't listen. Enter Big Daddy Twitter, the tech giant with deep pockets, global ambitions, and a deal that, for better or worse, would change everything.

They advised Russ and the team to let the experts handle the negotiations. But they didn't listen. Enter Big Daddy Twitter, the tech giant with deep pockets, global ambitions, and a deal that, for better or worse, would change everything.

Is this like, you know, in this era of tech, are you thinking we should wear suits or is it like we've got to go tech casual? I'm just trying to picture what that room is like, you know?

Is this like, you know, in this era of tech, are you thinking we should wear suits or is it like we've got to go tech casual? I'm just trying to picture what that room is like, you know?

But you were like, this is the big leagues. We better break out the button down. Exactly. My friend, Twitter did not only invest, they bought the whole bloody thing. Was there ever any other offers from other companies?

But you were like, this is the big leagues. We better break out the button down. Exactly. My friend, Twitter did not only invest, they bought the whole bloody thing. Was there ever any other offers from other companies?

On the 9th of October 2012, Twitter acquired Vine for $30 million. The two sailed off into the sunset and everything went smoothly. Well, not exactly, but we'll get to that. Let's stick with Russ and the gang for now. Well, I mean, you sound quite cool about it now, but I mean, as you say, you were guys in your 20s. You've got one of the biggest companies in the world throwing money at you.

On the 9th of October 2012, Twitter acquired Vine for $30 million. The two sailed off into the sunset and everything went smoothly. Well, not exactly, but we'll get to that. Let's stick with Russ and the gang for now. Well, I mean, you sound quite cool about it now, but I mean, as you say, you were guys in your 20s. You've got one of the biggest companies in the world throwing money at you.

There must have been a bit of champagne popping or chest bumping or something going on.

There must have been a bit of champagne popping or chest bumping or something going on.

More exciting for the team was preparing Vine to launch to the global public. It had come a long way since that initial spark of an idea from Russ and Dom, but even in its early form, the app had features and design no one had ever really seen before. Stuff that would change the face of the internet forever.

More exciting for the team was preparing Vine to launch to the global public. It had come a long way since that initial spark of an idea from Russ and Dom, but even in its early form, the app had features and design no one had ever really seen before. Stuff that would change the face of the internet forever.

Yeah, definitely the first to popularize it, which is kind of crazy when you think of the ripple effect onto the world today.

Yeah, definitely the first to popularize it, which is kind of crazy when you think of the ripple effect onto the world today.