SpaceX's record initial public offering (IPO) last week propelled founder and CEO Elon Musk's stake in the company to over 1 trillion USD. However, he is not the only one whose wealth has significantly increased due to this event. The SpaceX IPO also created thousands of new millionaires and boosted the value of some shareholders' stakes past the billion-dollar mark.
Following the IPO, SpaceX shares surged, pushing the company's market capitalization beyond Amazon and, at one point, even surpassing Microsoft. While the stock declined on 17/6 and 18/6, it remains 37% higher than its IPO price of 135 USD.
Based on FactSet data, CNBC calculated that the following SpaceX shareholders now hold stakes valued at over one billion USD.
Bret Johnsen
Bret Johnsen, SpaceX's chief financial officer (CFO), joined the company in 2011. He is responsible for the company's long-term financial strategy and its financial operations.
Before joining SpaceX, Johnsen worked at chipmakers Broadcom and Mindspeed Technologies. His stake in SpaceX is currently valued at approximately 1,2 billion USD.
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CFO Bret Johnsen (center) and COO Gwynne Shotwell (right) at the Nasdaq bell-ringing ceremony on 12/6. Photo: Reuters
Gwynne Shotwell
As one of the first employees recruited by Musk at SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell currently oversees the company's daily operations as chief operating officer (COO). Like Nosek, she is one of SpaceX's largest individual shareholders, with a stake worth about 2,4 billion USD.
In an interview with CNBC on 12/6, Shotwell stated, "I feel like I am a partner helping Elon get things done. I typically focus on daily business operations, while he concentrates on high-level strategy and delving into technical issues."
Nathan Silvernail, who worked as an engineer at SpaceX for seven years, told CNBC, "If Elon provides the vision, she is the one who ensures that vision is executed."
Shotwell helps the business run smoothly and raises necessary capital. "She is the one who meets with customers, builds relationships, and closes deals," Silvernail said.
Luke Nosek
Nosek co-founded PayPal, one of Musk's early ventures. He also joined the SpaceX board of directors in 2008. His stake in the company is currently valued at about 6,3 billion USD.
Nosek also co-founded venture capital funds Gigafund and Founders Fund. He was also a board member of AI company DeepMind before it was acquired by Google.
Valor Equity Partners
This investment fund currently holds a stake valued at approximately 96,6 billion USD, mostly owned by the fund's clients. The company's founder and CEO, Antonio Gracias, a long-time friend of Musk, is a member of the SpaceX board of directors.
Gracias stated that he met Musk over two decades ago through a mutual friend, David Sacks. Sacks is a venture capitalist who previously advised US President Donald Trump on AI and cryptocurrency.
Valor's CEO was also a former board member of Tesla. Last year, he worked with Musk on the Government Performance Board (DOGE) to reduce federal employee numbers, administrative procedures, and public spending.
Ha Thu (according to CNBC)
