In the world of startups, the typical trajectory for a successful entrepreneur often involves selling their company, enjoying financial freedom, and perhaps starting a new venture. However, Vinay Hiremath, co-founder of the video messaging platform Loom, has taken an unexpected path. Despite earning between $50 to $70 million from Loom’s $975 million acquisition by Atlassian, he now finds himself in a position that few would have predicted—searching for internships.
His story, which he shared on the Moneywise podcast, has sparked conversations about wealth, purpose, and personal fulfillment. He revealed that he walked away from a $60 million retention package, leaving him with no income, and is now actively looking for an internship in physics and robotics.
Walking Away from Millions: The Bold Decision
Hiremath’s decision to forgo a guaranteed $60 million over four years may seem shocking, but for him, it was a matter of principle and personal fulfillment. He explained that while the money would have ensured financial stability, he no longer wanted to spend his time working on problems that didn’t excite him.
“I left $60 million on the table. I have no income. Right now, I’m looking for internships,” he admitted.
For many, a multi-million-dollar exit would be the pinnacle of success, but Hiremath found himself questioning the value of his work and whether it truly aligned with his interests.
A New Passion: From Tech to Physics and Robotics
Since selling Loom, Hiremath has immersed himself in physics and robotics, dedicating five to eight hours a day to studying and engaging in online discussions with young enthusiasts. His passion has now led him to seek an internship as a mechanical engineer at a robotics company.
“I’ve been doing a bunch of physics. Hopefully, I’ll be interviewing at a few startups—maybe robotics companies—to intern as a mechanical engineer,” he shared.
This shift marks a dramatic career change from his previous role as the technical co-founder of a software company. Unlike most high-profile entrepreneurs who either start another company, turn into investors, or retire early, Hiremath is choosing to go back to square one—not as a founder or executive, but as an intern eager to learn.
Why He Left the Startup World Behind
Hiremath’s reflections on his time at Loom suggest that he became disillusioned with the startup ecosystem and the way tech companies glorify their missions. While many startups portray themselves as working on groundbreaking innovations, Hiremath realized that Loom, at its core, was just a screen recorder connected to the cloud.
“The raw truth of what we were building at Loom was not an ‘asynchronous video messaging platform’—this bullst that we told ourselves. We built a f*ng screen recorder that was hooked up to the cloud,” he said bluntly.
This realization led him to re-evaluate his life’s work. The idea of continuing to “swap values and databases across different financial systems” no longer appealed to him. He wanted to spend his life creating something more meaningful, which ultimately led him to physics and robotics.
In January 2024, Hiremath published a deeply personal blog post titled “I am rich and I have no idea what to do with my life”. In it, he reflected on the emotional and psychological struggles he faced after achieving financial success.
While many assume that money solves all problems, Hiremath found that once he no longer needed to work for income or status, life felt strangely empty.
“Without the drive to earn money or gain status, everything feels like a side quest—but not in an inspiring way,” he wrote.
This sentiment is not uncommon among entrepreneurs who achieve wealth at a young age. The sudden shift from constant hustle to complete financial security can create a sense of aimlessness. Some turn to philanthropy, angel investing, or passion projects, but for Hiremath, the solution was to start fresh in an entirely different field.
Despite his unconventional path, Hiremath’s journey raises important questions about what true success means. He is proof that even with millions in the bank, people still crave intellectual challenge, creative fulfillment, and personal growth.
As he searches for an internship in mechanical engineering, he is embracing the humility of being a beginner again. While he could easily invest in robotics startups or start his own, he has chosen to work his way up from the bottom—a move that speaks to his genuine passion for the field.
Lessons from Hiremath’s Journey
Hiremath’s story offers several key takeaways:
- Wealth Doesn’t Always Bring Fulfillment – Financial success doesn’t guarantee happiness or purpose. Many high achievers struggle with finding meaning once they’ve secured their financial future.
- It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself – Despite co-founding a successful company, Hiremath is starting over in a new field because that’s where his passion lies.
- Success is More Than Just Money and Status – For Hiremath, true success is about creating something meaningful, not just building companies for the sake of financial gain.
- It’s Okay to Walk Away from the Expected Path – Most tech founders follow a predictable path after a big exit, but Hiremath’s willingness to break the mold is a testament to his individuality.
Vinay Hiremath’s post-Loom journey challenges the conventional wisdom of what it means to be successful. Walking away from $60 million, giving up a secure corporate role, and actively seeking internships in a new field are not the typical moves of a multi-millionaire entrepreneur.
Yet, in doing so, he is pursuing something many dream of but rarely act upon—a life driven by curiosity, passion, and creativity rather than money. His story serves as an inspiration for those who feel trapped in careers they no longer enjoy, proving that it’s never too late to start over in pursuit of something truly fulfilling.
