3 ms·

Ask HN: How much did John Carmack make?

5 points by malanj 13y ago

John joined Oculus Rift in August last year in what seems to have been a very smart financial move. Does anyone know how much equity he had in the company?

valarauca1 13y ago
Oculus Rift hasn't disclosed how much ownership was transfered in its Series A and Series B funding [1]. Also Carmac's Salary, and possible investment isn't disclosed [2]. John Carmac is estimated to be worth ~4 million [3], source seem to agree. <pure speculation> His salary wasn't disclosed, but with 75million being spent in Series B funding it seems unlikely he was a major investor. Any equity he had was likely given partially as compensation for his position. </pure speculation> [1] http://www.oculusvr.com/press/oculus-vr-raises-75m-in-series-b-to-make-virtual-reality-a-commercial-reality/ http://www.oculusvr.com/press/oculus-vr-raises-75m-in-series... [2] http://www.oculusvr.com/press/john-carmack-joins-oculus-vr-as-chief-technology-officer/ http://www.oculusvr.com/press/john-carmack-joins-oculus-vr-a... [3] http://ewallstreeter.com/john-d-carmack-net-worth-2158/ http://ewallstreeter.com/john-d-carmack-net-worth-2158/
- malanj 13y ago
  I would think that as CTO he would have at least 1% equity [1]. If that's the case then he has increased his net worth by about $20m. <also pure speculation> [1] http://www.askthevc.com/wp/archives/2007/06/what-are-typical-compensation-numbers.html http://www.askthevc.com/wp/archives/2007/06/what-are-typical...
  - valarauca1 13y ago
    "Compensation for positions." Was meant to imply, signing bonus and stock options. Which would include stock options.
  - codemonkeymike 13y ago
    To jump on the pure speculation band wagon, I've herd from 1-5% for CTO's after 8 digit VC investments. Jason Roberts (Co-host of techzing) once said he was offered >1% <10% (but more towards the low side) equity for a CTO position after series A funding in Uber.
  - amarcus 13y ago
    Except it will most likely vest over a period of a few years as opposed to getting the full 1% upfront. I don't think he will be able to quit his job now and walk away with the cash - he will most likely need to remain employed at FB until it all vests.

5 points by malanj 13y ago

John joined Oculus Rift in August last year in what seems to have been a very smart financial move. Does anyone know how much equity he had in the company?

valarauca1 13y ago

Oculus Rift hasn't disclosed how much ownership was transfered in its Series A and Series B funding [1]. Also Carmac's Salary, and possible investment isn't disclosed [2]. John Carmac is estimated to be worth ~4 million [3], source seem to agree. <pure speculation> His salary wasn't disclosed, but with 75million being spent in Series B funding it seems unlikely he was a major investor. Any equity he had was likely given partially as compensation for his position. </pure speculation> [1] http://www.oculusvr.com/press/oculus-vr-raises-75m-in-series-b-to-make-virtual-reality-a-commercial-reality/ http://www.oculusvr.com/press/oculus-vr-raises-75m-in-series... [2] http://www.oculusvr.com/press/john-carmack-joins-oculus-vr-as-chief-technology-officer/ http://www.oculusvr.com/press/john-carmack-joins-oculus-vr-a... [3] http://ewallstreeter.com/john-d-carmack-net-worth-2158/ http://ewallstreeter.com/john-d-carmack-net-worth-2158/

malanj 13y ago
I would think that as CTO he would have at least 1% equity [1]. If that's the case then he has increased his net worth by about $20m. <also pure speculation> [1] http://www.askthevc.com/wp/archives/2007/06/what-are-typical-compensation-numbers.html http://www.askthevc.com/wp/archives/2007/06/what-are-typical...
- valarauca1 13y ago
  "Compensation for positions." Was meant to imply, signing bonus and stock options. Which would include stock options.
- codemonkeymike 13y ago
  To jump on the pure speculation band wagon, I've herd from 1-5% for CTO's after 8 digit VC investments. Jason Roberts (Co-host of techzing) once said he was offered >1% <10% (but more towards the low side) equity for a CTO position after series A funding in Uber.
- amarcus 13y ago
  Except it will most likely vest over a period of a few years as opposed to getting the full 1% upfront. I don't think he will be able to quit his job now and walk away with the cash - he will most likely need to remain employed at FB until it all vests.