Vinay Hiremath: Man Who Sold ‘Loom’ For $957 Million Is Now Studying Physics And Looking For Internship – News18

Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 13:12 IST

Vinay Hiremath, co-founder of Loom turned down $60M in bonuses and now studies physics in Hawaii.

Vinay Hiremath, the co-founder of Loom – the video messaging platform acquired by Atlassian for an impressive $975 million in 2023 – has given a candid and eye-opening interview on the Moneywise podcast, where he opened up about his life after the multi-million-dollar exit.

In the interview, hosted by Sam Parr, Hiremath shared intriguing details about his life after selling his business including some unexpected choices that even surprised him. He also revealed what he is up to after making his billion-dollar exit.

Turning Down $60 Million: A Life-Changing Decision

After the $975 million deal, Hiremath could have walked away with an additional $60 million in retention bonuses, but he decided to forgo it. “I turned it down,” he revealed without hesitation. However, his decision wasn’t solely based on money. During a hike through the redwoods, Hiremath said he had an epiphany, joking, “The trees spoke to me.” This moment led him to step away from it all and begin his next chapter.

“I Am Rich…”: Hiremath’s Viral Identity Crisis Post

One of the most unexpected aspects of Hiremath’s post-exit journey has been his struggle with his identity after the sale. He even posted a viral message about his “identity crisis,” which garnered 1.5 million views. “It’s a strange feeling to walk away from something that became such a huge part of your life,” he reflected, sharing his emotional transition away from his company and the fame that came with it.

What Is Vinay Hiremath’s Financial Situation After Selling Loom?

Despite walking away with millions, Hiremath’s financial strategy seems more modest than expected. His monthly expenditure is $25,000, with $12,000 allocated to his rent in New York City. His net worth is divided as follows: 50% in cash, 30% in equities, and 20% in bonds and other investments. When asked about his most expensive post-exit purchase, he joked, “An iPad.”

From Billion-Dollar Exit To Studying Physics And Seeking Internships

After selling Loom for a fortune, Hiremath has turned to learning, dedicating 5 to 8 hours a day to studying Physics. He’s also active in Discord groups with 18-year-olds, engaging as just another peer.

Hiremath often shares glimpses of what he is studying in Physics on his official ‘X’ account. Recently he expressed his feelings about his learning curve and wrote, “Now that I’ve done a good amount of physics, inner Vinay says ‘welcome back to using your brain idiot – we’ve got a lot of side quests’. Inner Vinay isn’t very nice, but he keeps me entertained. And now I know how to put him in time out.” Vinay is also seeking an internship as a mechanical engineer.