Vinay Hiremath’s Post-Success Journey: Rich, Restless, and Reflective
Vinay Hiremath, the Indian-origin co-founder of the video-sharing platform Loom, recently sold his company to Atlassian in a staggering $975 million deal.
Despite being offered a $60 million compensation package to remain as CTO at Atlassian, Hiremath walked away. The turning point came during a moment of clarity in the redwood forests, where he asked himself: “What is the point of money if it is not for freedom? What is your most scarce resource if not time?”
A Quest for Meaning
After the sale, Hiremath set off on a series of explorations—his own “side quests”—in search of purpose. He briefly dove into the world of robotics, meeting over 70 investors and entrepreneurs in just two weeks. But the spark was missing. “I didn’t want to start a robotics company,” he confessed. “The only thing that seemed interesting was humanoids. Then it hit me—I didn’t actually want to build them, I just wanted to look like Elon. And that felt incredibly cringe.”
He also tried to find meaning through travel with his girlfriend, but their two-year relationship ended, driven in part by his personal insecurities. In his blog, he offered an emotional apology: “Thank you for everything. I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you needed me to be.”
Reconnecting With Challenge
Determined to push his limits, Hiremath took on a physically and mentally grueling feat: summiting a 6,800-meter Himalayan peak with no mountaineering experience. The challenge reawakened something in him. “It’s the heartbeat of my life,” he wrote. “I don’t fully understand why—but maybe it has something to do with not having the best childhood.”
He later joined a high-stakes project he refers to as “DOGE,” working alongside some of the brightest minds he’s encountered. While intellectually stimulating, it didn’t align with his internal journey. “I needed to return to ambiguity, face my insecurities, and be okay with them. DOGE wasn’t going to fix that.”
Starting Over in Hawaii
Now living in Hawaii, Hiremath is studying physics and quietly reflecting on his next chapter. “The reason I give myself is to build a solid foundation in first principles, so maybe one day I can start a company that makes real-world things,” he explained. “But I’m also learning to be okay with just loving physics. That alone is a worthy goal.”
He ended his post with a series of raw, unanswered questions:
“Why did I need to do the absolute most to reach this point? Why couldn’t I just leave Loom and admit I didn’t know what I wanted next? Why do I only feel valid if I’m on some grand journey? What’s so wrong with being insignificant? Why is it so hard to let people down? I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”
Success Isn’t the End Goal
Hiremath’s story is a compelling reminder that success doesn’t always bring clarity. His reflections shed light on the often-overlooked emotional toll of achieving what many only dream of. For him, the path forward isn’t about building another startup or chasing accolades—it’s about rediscovering himself, learning to be present, and embracing the unknown.
