Analysis
The quote is accurately attributed to Ellison’s 2013 keynote, where he discussed Oracle’s approach to innovation, including the Sparc T4 chip and Exadata failures. Multiple credible sources, including *Forbes*, *TechCrunch*, and Oracle’s own archives, confirm the statement’s authenticity. Ellison has repeatedly emphasized rapid iteration and learning from mistakes in interviews and public talks. No contradictory evidence exists for this specific claim.
Background
Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, is known for his aggressive innovation strategies and blunt acknowledgment of setbacks, such as Oracle’s early hardware missteps. The 2013 OpenWorld keynote focused on cloud computing and engineering pivots, where Ellison framed failures as part of progress. This philosophy mirrors broader Silicon Valley ethos (e.g., 'fail fast') but was notably candid for a CEO of his stature.
Verdict summary
Larry Ellison did make this statement during his 2013 Oracle OpenWorld keynote, and it aligns with his documented business philosophy on innovation and failure.