The parent company of web search giant Google is Alphabet. One of their other projects is a venture-capital business called Google Ventures. They have invested in some shaky technologies - the Ivanpah Solar plant and their self-driving automobiles.
Seems like some heads are rolling - from the Wall Street Journal:
Alphabet Unit Google’s VC Chief Bill Maris to Exit
The founder of Google’s venture-capital arm, Bill Maris, is leaving the company, the latest in a series of high-level departures from parent Alphabet Inc.
Mr. Maris, chief executive of GV, which was formerly known as Google Ventures, is being replaced by Google veteran and GV Managing Partner David Krane, effective Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
No explanation was immediately given for Mr. Maris’s departure.
It follows word last week that Chris Urmson, chief technology officer and former director of Google’s self-driving car effort, had left the project at a crucial juncture as the company tries to transition its driverless-car technology into a commercial product. He gave no clear reason for his departure nor hint of his destination.
In June, Tony Fadell stepped down as CEO of Alphabet Inc.’s home-automation unit Nest.
Nest is tanking, I do not see a large market for driverless automobiles (delivery trucks maybe) and the Ivanpah plant has been killing birds and running under capacity since day one. Time to step back from some of these technologies and take a good look at what the market actually needs.
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