Vinay Hiremath education journey: From selling ‘Loom’ for $975 million to studying Physics and seeking internships
In January, the name Vinay Hiremath was trending—he’s the co-founder of Loom, the video messaging platform that sold to Atlassian for $975 million in 2023. The deal reportedly secured him an estimated $50 to $70 million. And now, he’s back in the spotlight. But why?
Appearing on the Moneywise podcast, Hiremath revealed that he turned down a $60 million retention package, which would have vested over four years. “Well, I left $60 million on the table. I have no income. Right now, I’m looking for internships,” he admitted.
During the podcast, he shared that he is struggling to figure out his next move. Instead of launching another startup, he has immersed himself in studying physics. According to podcast host Sam Parr, Hiremath is spending 5-8 hours daily studying physics, actively engaging in Discord groups with 18-year-olds, and even seeking internships as a mechanical engineer, as reported by the Economics Times.
Vinay Hiremath’s education qualification and career
Born in 1991, this Indian-origin entrepreneur has taken an unconventional journey—from co-founding a tech startup to now pursuing physics in Hawaii.
As per online records, Hiremath’s academic journey began at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, where he studied Computer Science. However, after two years, he dropped out to pursue opportunities in Silicon Valley.
His first significant role was at Backplane, a startup focused on building online communities. Then, in 2016, alongside co-founders Shahed Khan and Joe Thomas, Hiremath launched Loom, a platform that revolutionized remote team communication.
His success landed him in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2018. Finally, in 2023, he sold Loom to Atlassian for $975 million, securing a multi-million dollar exit. Yet today, at 33, he has no income and is looking for internships.
His story is a fascinating example of reinvention—from Silicon Valley success to a student of science. Whether he returns to tech or pursues an entirely new path, Vinay Hiremath remains a name to watch.
