Why This Multi-Millionaire Walked Away from $60M and Is Now Studying Like a College Kid
From Startup Success to Internship Hunt: The Unexpected Journey of Vinay Hiremath
From Billion-Dollar Exit to the Classroom
In 2023, Vinay Hiremath, co-founder of the video messaging platform Loom, sold his company to Australian software giant Atlassian for a staggering $975 million. This deal secured Hiremath an estimated $50-$70 million, enough to retire comfortably. However, instead of living the life of luxury, the 33-year-old is currently looking for internships and studying physics like a college student.
Why He Walked Away from $60 Million
After the acquisition, Hiremath was offered a $60 million retention package that would have vested over four years if he had stayed at Atlassian. Surprisingly, he turned it down.
“Well, I left $60M on the table. I have no income. Right now, I’m looking for internships,” he revealed on the Moneywise podcast.
Searching for Purpose: “I Am Rich and Have No Idea What to Do”
Despite achieving financial success, Hiremath admits that he feels lost. In a candid blog post titled, “I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life,” he shared his struggles:
“Life has been a haze this last year. After selling my company, I find myself in the totally un-relatable position of never having to work again. Everything feels like a side quest, but not in an inspiring way. I have infinite freedom, yet I don’t know what to do with it, and, honestly, I’m not the most optimistic about life.”
This raw honesty reveals a side of wealth that isn’t often discussed—the lack of direction after achieving financial freedom.
Diving Deep into Physics Instead of Launching Another Startup
Instead of jumping into another entrepreneurial venture, Hiremath has spent the past year immersed in studying physics.
According to podcast host Sam Parr, Hiremath spends 5-8 hours daily studying physics, hanging out in Discord groups with 18-year-olds who believe he’s their peer. He’s even looking to intern as a mechanical engineer at various startups.
“I’ve been doing a bunch of physics. I am potentially, hopefully—knock on wood—interviewing at a few robotics companies to intern as a mechanical engineer,” he said.
His journey is a fascinating reminder that learning and curiosity don’t stop at financial success.
Walking Away from Millions: The Tough Decision
Despite his newfound love for physics, Hiremath admitted that leaving a $60 million package was not an easy decision.
“I had already made more money than I knew what to do with, but your mind does funny things when you start to consider numbers like this,” he wrote.
The allure of stability and financial security made it tempting, but ultimately, he knew he didn’t want to stay in a corporate environment filled with bureaucracy and slow decision-making.
His “Elon Musk Phase” and Why He Gave Up on Robotics
After leaving Loom, Hiremath considered launching a robotics startup. He even met with investors and robotics experts to explore the idea.
However, he later realized that his motivation was driven by the desire to be like Elon Musk, rather than genuine passion.
“It started to dawn on me that what I actually wanted was to look like Elon, and that is incredibly cringe. It hurts to even type this out,” he admitted.
His moment of self-awareness prevented him from diving into something for the wrong reasons.
A Short Stint Working with Elon Musk
Interestingly, Hiremath did work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for four weeks on a cryptocurrency project related to DOGE. The experience reinforced one key takeaway:
“The urgency of execution in business is critical.”
Despite this realization, he decided that startups weren’t his path—at least for now.
Internships Over Entrepreneurship: The Unlikely Next Step
Instead of launching another company, Hiremath has chosen an unexpected path: looking for internships in mechanical and electrical engineering.
“And then I want to intern as an electrical engineer. I really don’t know what I’m going to do with this,” he admitted.
His story is a powerful example of redefining success—choosing passion and learning over chasing money or status.
Personal Reflections: Regrets and Relationships
Beyond career struggles, Hiremath has also opened up about personal regrets, especially about a past relationship.
“If my ex is reading this, thank you for everything. I am sorry I couldn’t be what you needed me to be.”
His introspection and vulnerability make his story even more relatable, showing that money doesn’t necessarily solve life’s emotional and existential dilemmas.
The Paradox of Wealth and Purpose
Vinay Hiremath’s journey is a stark reminder that financial success doesn’t always bring clarity or happiness. While most people dream of selling a startup for nearly a billion dollars, the reality of post-exit life can be unexpectedly challenging.
His willingness to step away from wealth, embrace uncertainty, and pursue genuine learning is a lesson in itself.
So, what’s next for Vinay Hiremath? Even he doesn’t know for sure. But one thing is clear—his story is far from over.
