google was willing to buy path for 100 million very early, which would of been primarily a talent acquisition. With Instagram's community, install base, along with a bidding war .. I don't see it as just a talent acquisition, but primarily the motivating factor. Plus it was for money and stock without really knowing what the percentages are.. facebook stock is valued pretty high these days.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/02/02/google-tried-to-buy-path-fo...