It could also be that the company is doing far worse than the business plan they originally showed out to the VCs : If there's lower growth rates, it's far better for everyone to notch up a quick 3x, rather than see the business dwindle into obscurity (the alternative case, in the minds of the VCs, if they're not going to 'go big').
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I've learned that in one year, one's goals can change dramatically.
It's also one thing to say something. But the situation changes when a ton of money is actually thrown right in front of you.
If the number is right, $80m is not a ton of money for people who have already had big exits and took $20m in VC to start this company.
It could also be that the company is doing far worse than the business plan they originally showed out to the VCs : If there's lower growth rates, it's far better for everyone to notch up a quick 3x, rather than see the business dwindle into obscurity (the alternative case, in the minds of the VCs, if they're not going to 'go big').
FlickR only sold for $35 million. They took some funding prior to that too, so it wouldn't have been a huge payout for Fake.