Benedict Townsend

At what point did you make the decision to go, oh, this seems like a nice idea to, we should try and make this. Maybe this could be something.

At what point did you make the decision to go, oh, this seems like a nice idea to, we should try and make this. Maybe this could be something.

Dom and Russ needed one final piece to their puzzle, a programmer who could actually build an engine capable of powering the vehicle. That's where Colin, the third founder, comes in.

Dom and Russ needed one final piece to their puzzle, a programmer who could actually build an engine capable of powering the vehicle. That's where Colin, the third founder, comes in.

And did you feel that there was an element of risk in sort of putting your eggs in that basket or were you pretty certain about Vine?

And did you feel that there was an element of risk in sort of putting your eggs in that basket or were you pretty certain about Vine?

In June 2012, the company was officially founded. They were going for it. But nothing gets made without some cash. And that takes finding funders. Luckily, they had a head start.

In June 2012, the company was officially founded. They were going for it. But nothing gets made without some cash. And that takes finding funders. Luckily, they had a head start.

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?