After selling his startup Loom to Atlassian for $975 million in 2023, Vinay Hiremath, co-founder of Loom, found himself in a position few can relate to—financial independence without the drive for work. In a heartfelt blog post titled “I am rich and I have no idea what to do with my life,” Hiremath shared how the infinite freedom he gained left him feeling uninspired and uncertain about his next steps.
Struggling with Personal Insecurities
While grappling with his newfound wealth, Hiremath revealed his emotional struggles. One of the most difficult events in his life was a breakup with his girlfriend, with whom he shared two years of unconditional love. He acknowledged the pain of the breakup but expressed that it was the right decision for both of them. In his blog, he even apologized to her, stating, “If my ex is reading this, thank you for everything. I am sorry I couldn’t be what you needed me to be.”
The Dilemma of Staying or Leaving Loom
After selling Loom, Hiremath found it hard to detach himself from the company that acquired it, despite being offered a substantial $60 million pay package as CTO. However, after spending some time in the “redwoods” to reflect on his next move, he realized he needed to leave it all behind and “do something. Anything. To be alive again.”
Uninspired by Robotics Dreams
Hiremath’s interest in robotics led him to meet with dozens of investors and robotics experts in hopes of creating something impactful, but it left him feeling uninspired. He realized that his desire to be like Elon Musk was not a clear vision of his purpose. “It hurts to even type this out,” he confessed in his blog.
Climbing the Himalayas and Reaching Out to Influencers
After a failed attempt to find clarity, Hiremath turned to climbing the Himalayas, an experience that proved difficult when he fell ill and had to be helped down. His journey continued with encouragement from friends to reach out to figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Though he got an opportunity at DOGE, he soon realized that path wasn’t the right fit for him either.
A New Beginning in Hawaii
Deciding to abandon his previous plans, Hiremath booked a one-way ticket to Hawaii, seeking to reset and find a new direction. Now, he is focusing on learning physics and plans to start a company that produces tangible, real-world products. He acknowledges that even if his new venture doesn’t match Loom’s success, he is okay with it as long as it brings purpose to his life.
