The Nuts and Bolts of Facebook's Acquisition Strategy

Mark Zuckerberg has famously said that Facebook acquires people, not products.

Since making its first acquisition in 2007 with Parakey, the company has picked up small teams that may not have seen broad traction but clearly have gifted technical talent. Some of these entrepreneurs have gone on to serve as the new chief technology officer, launch the original iPhone app, Questions and Groups, run Photos and Places and lead platform.

The acquisitions replenish the entrepreneurial lifeblood of the company, which is becoming larger by the month and risks losing its young-and-hungry startup feel.

“The CEOs of companies we’ve acquired have had a significant impact on Facebook,” said Vaughan Smith, who is director of corporate development and leads partnerships and acquisitions.

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