Episode 62: Kittyhawk: From Moonshot to a Longshot

10/04/23 • 29 min

1 Listener

A surprising announcement rippled through Silicon Valley in the Spring of 2017. A mysterious 'flying car' venture took the spotlight, fueled by rumors of Google co-founder Larry Page's involvement. A marvel of engineering, this all-electric innovation promised to reduce traffic congestion and open the skies for dreamers—a moonshot that captivated engineers, futurists, and tech enthusiasts. But over time, that moonshot started to look more like a longshot. With Page’s financial backing and abundant resources, how could this project have possibly failed?

Hear the full story on episode 62 of The Great Fail. Special thanks for Hugh Langley for his contributions to this episode. Shoutout to Adweek and Acast.

Sources:

Throwback Thursday: The Rise and Fall of Flying-Car Startup Kittyhawk

Kitty Hawk, the electric aircraft moonshot backed by Larry Page, is shutting down

Inside the rise and fall of Kittyhawk, Larry Page's failed flying car company

How Larry Page's flying-car company of the future turned into a stunning failure

Kittyhawk: Employees should “blindly” trust Larry Page

Where Kittyhawk Failed: The Case of Disruptive Technologies Case Study

Larry Page’s Flying Car Failure Is a Lesson For Us All

Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk air taxi startup is shutting down

Hewlett-Packard: The Flight of the Kittyhawk (A) Harvard Case Solution & Analysis

Inside the rise and fall of Kittyhawk

Google co-founder’s flying car startup is winding down

Visit https://thegreatfail.com/ for more sources!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear the full story on episode 62 of The Great Fail. Special thanks for Hugh Langley for his contributions to this episode. Shoutout to Adweek and Acast.

Sources:

Throwback Thursday: The Rise and Fall of Flying-Car Startup Kittyhawk

Kitty Hawk, the electric aircraft moonshot backed by Larry Page, is shutting down

Inside the rise and fall of Kittyhawk, Larry Page's failed flying car company

How Larry Page's flying-car company of the future turned into a stunning failure

Kittyhawk: Employees should “blindly” trust Larry Page

Where Kittyhawk Failed: The Case of Disruptive Technologies Case Study

Larry Page’s Flying Car Failure Is a Lesson For Us All

Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk air taxi startup is shutting down

Hewlett-Packard: The Flight of the Kittyhawk (A) Harvard Case Solution & Analysis

Inside the rise and fall of Kittyhawk

Google co-founder’s flying car startup is winding down

Visit https://thegreatfail.com/ for more sources!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

TGF Presents: Marketing Vanguard

As a special bonus episode this week, we are spotlighting another amazing series on the Adweek Podcast Network. Hosted by Jenny Rooney, Adweek's first chief experience officer, Marketing Vanguard: the podcast, spotlights the people who are driving the industry forward. It will feature valuable, must-listen nuggets of marketing-leadership wisdom, humility, stories, strategic insights, and growth opportunities in an era of ever more complex industry pressures and realities. Together we’ll dive into what's driving the decision-makers of today to move the needle of some of the world’s most exciting brands in incremental or monumental ways.

In the world of modern business, adaptability and evolution are often paramount for success. The same holds true for the field of marketing, where Vineet Mehra, the CMO of Chime, exemplifies a career path that embodies the dynamic nature of marketing leadership.

In a recent conversation, Vineet shared insights into his professional journey, highlighting how his roles in various industries have shaped his perspective on marketing's role in the growth engine of companies.

Listen to this week's episode of Marketing Vanguard to hear how Vineet continues to drive innovation at Chime, while his journey remains an inspiration to those seeking to redefine the boundaries of marketing leadership in an ever-changing world.

Listen and subscribe to Marketing Vanguard on Apple Podcasts or find it on Spotify.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Episode 63: Quiznos is Toast

Once at the top of the food chain, Quiznos achieved over $2 billion in sales and had nearly 5,000 restaurant chains. But just as things were heating up, the iconic company found itself in a pickle, leaving behind a very sour taste.

Tune in to Episode 63 of The Great Fail to listen to one of the most significant and dramatic restaurant collapses in American history. Special thanks to Jonathan Maze for his contributions to this segment, and a shout-out to Adweek and Acast for their support.

Sources:

A brief history of Quiznos’ collapse

The Real Reason Why Quiznos Is Disappearing Across The Country

The Quiznos Story: From Huge Success To Huge Bust

WHAT HAPPENED TO QUIZNOS SUBS?

Wikipedia: Quiznos

Quiznos – Failure Case Study

Denver-based Quiznos hit by new lawsuits from disgruntled franchisees

Three Factors That Led to Quiznos' Epic Decline

QUIZNOS: Biggest Collapse in Restaurant History?

Quiznos terminates franchisees on heels of suicide

Fast Food’s Most Unhinged Mascots Are Back