Apple founder sells shares worth millions for just 32,000 rupees and here’s the reason.
The founder of Apple sold shares valued in millions for just 32,000 rupees.
In 1990, Ronald Wayne made a decision that would be remembered as one of the most intriguing moments in technology history. At a time when Apple was just starting as a small company, he sold his 10% stake in the company for just $800, concerned about financial risks. At that time, his stake was valued at approximately Rs 32,000 (around $800), but by 2024, that percentage would have reached a staggering value of $345 billion.
Apple was founded by three men: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. While Jobs and Wozniak were young and full of ambition, Wayne, who was 42 years old, brought a wealth of experience. His contribution was crucial in designing the first Apple logo, which depicted an iconic image of Isaac Newton under an apple tree, as well as in much of the mechanical engineering and documentation in the early days of the company. However, as the company grew, Wayne began to question his future and his role in it.
Just 12 days after the founding of Apple, he decided to sell his stake for $800. His lack of conviction and confidence, stemming from previous failures in the business world, led him to take this step. In the 1970s, Apple faced challenges in establishing itself in the market. Jobs had secured a $15,000 loan to fulfill his first order from The Byte Shop, a distributor with a questionable reputation. While Jobs and Wozniak were optimistic about the company’s potential, Wayne did not share the same enthusiasm. He had much more to lose than his younger partners, and his past experiences had taught him the risks of new business ventures. He feared that if Apple did not thrive, his financial stability could be jeopardized. The rapid evolution of the company also overwhelmed him, as the constant energy of Jobs and Wozniak made him feel swamped.
Ultimately, facing rising pressure and uncertainty, he chose to step away, selling his stake. In retrospect, it is hard to imagine how different his life could have been had he retained those shares. That small portion of Apple would today be worth hundreds of billions, possibly making him the richest person in the world. However, despite the immense fortune he could have obtained, Wayne has never expressed regret for his choice.
In various interviews, he has explained that his decision was based on the information he had at the time. While he believed in Apple’s potential, he also anticipated the obstacles the company would face. His caution was not limited to money, but also to the personal consequences of being involved in such a risky project. At his age and with more responsibilities than his younger partners, he felt he could not risk everything on a company that might fail. He compared his experience to holding a tiger by the tail, acknowledging the intense pressure that came with being part of a fast-growing startup.
Despite what many consider a missed opportunity, Wayne does not seem to regret his decision. He never sought the fame or wealth that Jobs and Wozniak pursued. Stepping away from Apple allowed him to focus on his health and personal well-being, choosing peace of mind over the chaotic pursuit of success. For him, the decision was not a failure, but rather a way to find balance and prioritize his happiness. Ultimately, for Wayne, that might have been the true measure of success.