One of Google's most famous perks, beyond the unlimited smoothie bar and nap pods, is its results-only work environment (ROWE) policy that allows employees to take on side projects during their normal working hours.
The 20 percent ROWE policy was responsible for creating some of Google's most successful projects, such as Gmail, Google Transit, Google Talk, AdSense, and Google News. Another project that might have been included the fledgling Instagram, which was created by a former Google employee soon after leaving the company.
Google hopes a new incubation division for projects can keep its talented and entrepreneurial employees motivated, The Information reports. By expanding the 20 percent policy to a new division called Area 120, led by Google executives Don Harrison and Bradley Horowitz and located at one of Google's San Francisco office buildings, Google expects to leverage the great ideas of its employees to create the next big Google product.
In order to use this new division, Google employees or teams will have to submit their business plans for approval. Successful teams will then be allowed to work full-time on their projects for a set timeframe to develop a proof of concept. If needed, the best ideas may be funded by Google. At the end of the program, the teams have the option of starting their own company, in which Google may invest.
This new incubation group is in line with the vision of Google's new parent company, Alphabet. When Alphabet was formed in 2015, it was founded on the principle of promoting entrepreneurs and investing in great companies. Google anticipates that through this program it can inspire new startups while keeping them close to home.
Recently, Google has watched a few leading startups slip through its fingers, including WhatsApp, which was purchased by Facebook for $19 billion in 2014. Google also hopes to prevent creative and entrepreneurial employees from striking it out on their own by providing an outlet for developing and launching great new ideas with Google's blessing.
It remains to be seen what ideas and startups will spring from Area 120, but knowing the type of talent and creativity fostered and cultivated by Google, the next great tech startup may just be around the corner.
Photo: Robert Scoble | Flickr
