Loom video platform co-founder Vinay Hiremath lately shared a deeply personal account of his life following sale of his startup to Atlassian for $975 million. Such a big deal of course generally means that he would be living the dream. However, his story reveals emotional turmoil and such situations often comes with sudden wealth as well as sudden freedom.
His blog post was titled “I Am Rich and I Have No Idea What to Do With My Life.” He painted a picture of a life unmoored and confessed that he no longer had the drive to chase money or status after the acquisition. Everything just felt pointless with infinite options and it is a sentiment that might seem unrelatable. It shows a side of success that people rarely talk about and it is a loss of purpose when the hustle ends.
Hiremath simultaneously opened up about his personal life stating that he ended a two-year relationship. He cited his own insecurities as the cause and admitted that the breakup was painful as well as necessary. He apologized to his ex in a heartfelt gesture and acknowledged her unconditional support during their time together.
He faced another tough decision professionally and it was whether to stay at Loom under Atlassian for a $60 million package or walk away. He chose the latter and it was to seek outside of corporate life. This led him to explore robotics and to find that the pursuit felt hollow. He even admitted to aspiring to be like Elon Musk.
Hiremath tried everything from climbing the Himalayas to briefly considering a role in Washington, D.C. to “save the government.” None of it felt right and led him to book a one-way ticket to Hawaii in search of clarity.
He is now learning physics and contemplating a new venture that is something to create tangible products. He is clear about the outcome and said that he would be fine if it does not replicate the success of Loom.
The journey of Hiremath is a reminder to many that money and success can’t fill the void of purpose. His story is a call to look beyond material wealth and status. It is to focus on what truly makes life meaningful. Success is only satisfying if it aligns with who you are and what you value.
