In 1995, two brothers from South Africa launched a tech startup that would eventually sell for $307 million. One of them, Elon Musk, went on to become the world’s richest man, revolutionizing industries with Tesla, SpaceX, and more. But what about the other Musk brother? His journey is equally intriguing. Let’s explore the contrasting paths of Elon and Kimbal Musk—two innovators who carved out their own legacies.
The First Success of the Musk Brothers
Elon and Kimbal Musk co-founded Zip2 in 1995 alongside investor Greg Kouri. The company developed online business directories and mapping software for newspapers—an early version of what would later become Google Maps. The startup faced financial challenges initially, but the brothers’ persistence paid off.
In 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million, instantly making both brothers wealthy. Elon received $22 million, while Kimbal walked away with $15 million.
This was only the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Elon Musk – The Billionaire
(Continue with the next section on Elon Musk’s ventures and achievements.)