Sameer Samat secured a connection with Google cofounder Sergey Brin by sending a midnight cold email in 1999. Seeking advice on ensuring his startup's survival amidst potential cofounder departures, he received an immediate response from Brin, who invited Samat and his team for interviews at Google. Although Samat declined a job offer in favor of his own venture, Brin’s support opened industry connections. Later, Samat joined Google in 2008 and advanced to president of Android by 2024, attributing part of his success to that initial outreach.
"A couple of them were on to go to grad school, and we had a big fight about it. I said, 'I don't understand how you can want to go to grad school; we're building this company.'"
"A minute later, Brin responded and invited Samat and his team to Google headquarters. Instead of sitting them down together, he conducted 1-1 interviews on the spot-and Samat landed a job offer."
"Years later, he joined the tech giant in 2008 as a product management director, eventually rising to president of Android in 2024."
"He didn't have to do any of that, and so I try to pay it forward in my own way by helping others in their journey."
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