Yesterday, Facebook purchased the smartphone messaging app WhatsApp for $19 billion. That was a lot of money!
$12 billion of the sum went to picking up all of Whatsapp’s stock and options. $4 billion was paid out in cash. And $3 billion went to Whatsapp’s founders and employees in the form of stock grants vested out over four years.
Early employees own equity shares close to 1%. Which means, according to Business Insider, early Whatsapp employees may receive up to $160 million for their work.
BI doesn’t mention the possibility that the 1% equity is diluted by investments from venture capitalists but still—some Whatsapp people are making a whooooole lotta change.
[H/T: Business Insider]