Google acquired its stock in HomeAway from its existing shareholders rather than as a primary placement, according to news provider New York Times.

Google Ventures, the corporate venturing division of search engine company Google, has reportedly invested about $25m in US-based holiday rental company HomeAway.

Google acquired its stock in HomeAway, which uses characters from National Lampoon films (see picture) in its advertising, from its existing shareholders rather than as a primary placement, according to news provider New York Times, while website TechCrunch said the investment was about $25m at a $1.4bn valuation.

The company’s regulatory filings said $11.25m of equity…