(January 10, 2025) In a world obsessed with hustling to the top, few talk about what comes after the climb. What happens when someone reaches the summit and finds that the view isn’t as fulfilling as imagined? Vinay Hiremath, co-founder of Loom, a video messaging platform that revolutionized workplace communication, recently shared his reflections on life after selling his company in 2023, for a whopping $975 million. The 32-year-old’s candid blog post, titled “I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life”, explores the emotional landscape of purpose and fulfillment after financial success. It’s clear in his words that the quest for meaning remains ongoing, even after reaching the peak of success.
From startup dreams to a billion-dollar exit
Vinay Hiremath’s professional journey began after two years at the University of Illinois, which he left before graduating, followed by a brief internship at Facebook. His big break came in 2012 when he joined Backplane, a startup where he met Shahed Khan, one of his future co-founders of Loom. By 2016, Vinay, along with Khan and Joe Thomas, launched Loom, a platform that aimed to make asynchronous communication seamless through video messaging.
Under Vinay’s technical leadership, Loom grew exponentially, attracting millions of users worldwide. The pandemic fuelled Loom’s growth as remote work surged and online communication became the new norm, making quick, asynchronous video messaging essential for teams worldwide. The platform became essential for remote teams, allowing users to communicate complex ideas more effectively than traditional emails or chats. In 2023, Loom was acquired by Australian software giant Atlassian for $975 million. For many, this would mark the ultimate entrepreneurial dream, but for Vinay, it marked the beginning of an existential crisis.
Indian Entrepreneur Vinay Hiremath with cofounders of Loom, Joe Thomas and Shahed Khan
Reflections after the sale
Following the acquisition, Vinay found himself grappling with a question that few are privileged to ask: What now? In his blog post, he writes, “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.”
The realization that he no longer needed to work for financial stability left him feeling unmoored. The drive that had fuelled his decade-long journey with Loom had dissipated, leaving behind a void. “I don’t have the same base desires driving me to make money or gain status. I have infinite freedom, yet I don’t know what to do with it, and, honestly, I’m not the most optimistic about life,” he admits.
Choosing freedom over wealth
After the sale of Loom, Vinay Hiremath faced a critical decision. Staying at the acquiring company as a CTO would have earned him a $60 million pay package. Yet, the thought of staying in a large corporate environment didn’t align with his needs but he found it very hard to give up a $60m pay package.
To find clarity, he retreated to the redwoods, along the coast of California where nature offered him a simple but deep insight.
Within 5 minutes of my first hike, the trees smiled at me and whispered their simple wisdom. What is the point of money if it is not for freedom? What is your most scarce resource if not time?
Vinay Hiremath
The hike became a turning point. He chose to walk away from the guaranteed millions in favour of regaining control over his time and, more importantly, his sense of self.
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The search for purpose
With newfound freedom, the Global Indian explored various avenues, hoping to reignite his passion. Initially, he delved into robotics, meeting over 70 investors and founders. However, he soon realized that his enthusiasm was more about projecting an image than genuine interest. “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.”
Feeling lost, he decided to channel his energy into physical challenges, embarking on a mountaineering expedition in the Himalayas. The climb was gruelling, pushing him to his physical and mental limits. Despite the hardships, Vinay completed his trek and found a renewed appreciation for doing hard things.
Breaking down and rebuilding
One of the most poignant moments in Vinay’s journey was his breakup with his girlfriend. He candidly acknowledges that his insecurities played a significant role in the relationship’s demise. “We started getting into regular arguments, and I knew it wasn’t on her. It was me. I was starting to come to terms with all the mounting insecurities I had stuffed down over the past several years.”
By addressing his personal battles, Vinay emphasizes the ongoing process of self-discovery and the necessity of facing one’s inner challenges with humility and honesty.
The DOGE experiment
At one point, he briefly joined DOGE, a U.S. government initiative aimed at addressing national challenges. The experience was intense but ultimately short-lived. He describes it as a whirlwind of meetings, projects, and high-stakes decision-making. However, he soon realized that the urgency he felt during his time at DOGE wasn’t sustainable. The mission of DOGE felt extremely important, yet it wasn’t the most pressing matter he needed to address within himself. This realization led him to step back from public missions and focus on internal work instead.
The ongoing quest for meaning and purpose
Today, Vinay Hiremath finds himself in Hawaii, studying physics in the jungle. His current pursuit isn’t driven by a grand mission or the desire to build another billion-dollar company. Instead, he is focused on learning for its own sake. He writes, “I’m learning physics. Why? The reason I tell myself is to build up my first principles foundation so I can start a company that manufactures real-world things. It seems plausible, but I’m learning to just accept that I am happy learning physics. That’s the goal in and of itself.”
This acceptance marks a significant shift in his mindset. For the first time in a long while, Vinay is approaching everything he says and does with a renewed sense of humility — the only approach that makes him feel truly authentic.
Vinay Hiremath
In his own words, “Why do I feel the need to only be on a journey if it’s grand? What is wrong with being insignificant? Why is letting people down so hard? I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.
As he continues to navigate life post-Loom, Vinay Hiremath’s reflections offer valuable insights that financial success doesn’t guarantee fulfilment. His story is a reminder that the pursuit of purpose is lifelong and often more complex than the pursuit of wealth or status.
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