You’re basically beta testing ideas for billion dollar companies
Saw this post from a former Google designer and honestly it got me thinking.
The claim is basically that large tech companies monitor emerging startups, wait for them to validate a market, then launch similar products with way more resources and distribution.
In AI especially, it feels like startups are forced to innovate fast while also knowing that if they succeed, companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, etc. can replicate the idea quickly.
At the same time, some people argue this is just normal competition, ideas alone aren’t defensible, execution is.
Curious what people here think:
Is this actually how Big Tech operates?
Can startups still build lasting moats in AI/software?
Or is acquisition/copying just part of the game now?
Would love to hear perspectives from founders, engineers, or anyone who’s worked at larger tech companies