Tech billionaire Elon Musk's brother, kimbal muskrecounted what led to the founding of Zip2, their first company together.
What happened: In an episode of Lex Fridman PodcastKimbal revealed the journey that led him and Elon to co-found Zip2, an Internet version of the Yellow Pages phone directly.
Kimbal reveals that the two Musk brothers took a road trip across the United States before launching Zip2 in 1995. A breakdown in the Badlands of South Dakota led to an unplanned adventure and a lesson in generosity from a stranger.
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“We went into a company called Navtech, my brother and I, and we just asked for the data and this is Silicon Valley. We put it on the Internet and in those days, it could take 60 to 120 seconds to give it. “I'll give you an answer, but it was incredible”.
“We were the first two humans to see it on the Internet because these things didn't even exist in the world.”
The two Musk brothers realized that this technology had immense potential. “Before this moment they couldn't tell you directions and suddenly they did. It wasn't a little thing.”
Before the establishment of Zip2, the Musk brothers approached Navtech, a Silicon Valley company, for data. They were allowed to use this data online, resulting in the first vector mapping of the Internet.
“Holy crap. This will be worn by everyone, all the time, forever.”
Because it is important: Despite being a top 100 website and used by major entities, Zip2 encountered criticism and financial obstacles. However, Kimbal Musk considers it a success and a crucial part of his business journey.
The Musk brothers' road trip adventure, their experiences with Navtech, and the creation of the first vector mapping on the Internet highlight the innovative spirit that fueled their success.
Zip2's struggles and triumphs also serve as a testament to the entrepreneurs' resilience and determination.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Neuro Benzinga and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia and Ted Conference on Flickr.
