THIS COST US $1.7 BILLION

Описание: Welcome to BIG IDEAS by NEW ECONOMIES - a show where we learn how the most iconic founders have turned crucible moments into global companies. Throughout these episodes, we also discover the trends our guests are most excited about, and the types of businesses those trends could go on to create.

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iRobot founder Colin Angle spent 33 years building the most iconic robotics company in history — only to watch a $1.7 billion Amazon acquisition get crushed by regulators.

In this episode, Colin joins Ollie Forsyth for a raw, first-hand account of the rise, the fall, and the future of iRobot. From the "artificial insect" labs of MIT to the "trophy walls" of the FTC, this is a masterclass in founder resilience and the brutal reality of the innovation economy.

In this episode, we explore:

1) The Amazon "Miscarriage" — Why the FTC blocked the deal, how it "froze" the company for 18 months, and what it means for every founder's exit strategy.

2) The MIT Roots — How a philosophy of "bottom-up" insect intelligence led to the Mars Rover and eventually the Roomba.

3) The 12-Year Grind — Why it took over a decade to launch the first Roomba and the "mishmash" of tech (mine-hunting, toys, and industrial cleaners) that made it possible.

4) The Pepsi Miracle — How a Dave Chappelle commercial saved the company from 250,000 unsold units and taught Colin the power of storytelling.

5) Defending the Moat — How iRobot fended off global copycats for 17 years before the "robotics ecosystem" finally caught up.

6) The "Trophy" Room — Colin’s experience being deposed by the FTC and seeing blocked deals celebrated on office doors.

7) Familiar Machines and Magic — What’s next for Colin? A first look at his new venture and why AI is finally ending the "dark ages" of robotics.

8) The Founder’s Superpower — Why naivety and the ability to "get back up" are the only things that separate success from bankruptcy.

Chapters:
(0:00): iRobot Going Bankrupt
(6:20) The Aha Moment
(13:20) 12 Years Getting Roomba Launched
(17:58) Growth Going Bananas
(24:22) The Mighty Cage Fight With Copycats
(29:46) Amazon Comes Knocking With $1.7B
(50:38) Lessons Going Through Potential Acquisitions
(56:26) Colin's New Company
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