Vinay Hiremath, the co-founder of Loom, is suffering from an existential crisis. After selling his startup to Atlassian for $975 million (Rs 8,357 crore approx) in 2023, the Indian-origin entrepreneur has been suffering a lack of purpose, despite trying a list of new hobbies – including trying to climb the Himalayas without any training or prior experience.
View this post on Instagram
In a candid and vulnerable blog post titled, “I Am Rich and Have No Idea What to Do With My Life,” Vinay Hiremath detailed his journey over the past year. After selling his company to Atlassian, he was offered the position of CTO for a whopping salary of $60 million. However, he didn’t take up the job. Instead, he retreated to the redwoods for clarity.
Despite his wealth, Hiremath described life as “a haze,” admitting that infinite freedom left him unfulfilled.
“Everything feels like a side quest, but not in an inspiring way,” he wrote, highlighting that he no longer had the base desires driving him to seek money or status.
View this post on Instagram
In his quest for purpose, Hiremath ventured into robotics, meeting with dozens of investors and experts. He hoped to build humanoid robots but soon realized he was chasing a superficial dream to “look like Elon Musk”.
During this time, he also had to break a two-year-long very loving relationship. He acknowledged that his mounting insecurities had taken a toll on the relationship. He even apologized to his girlfriend for it in the blog post.
View this post on Instagram
Hiremath’s next move was an impulsive attempt to climb a Himalayan peak without any prior mountaineering experience. Predictably, the journey took a toll on his health, for which he had to be rappelled downward. After this incident, friends suggested he reach out to Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at DOGE. He even bagged a job but soon realised it wasn’t for him.
Now 33, Hiremath has settled in Hawaii, studying physics and rebuilding his life. He’s learning to accept that happiness doesn’t need to come from grand achievements.
“If this means I’ll never do something as spectacular as Loom, so be it,” he shared.
View this post on Instagram
You may read his entire blog post here.
Hiremath’s raw honesty serves as a reminder that even the richest and most accomplished among us can feel lost. It’s a journey of learning to be okay with uncertainty and embracing the beauty of being human.