Technology is a great equalizer when it comes to starting a business. You don’t have to be a millionaire to turn a great idea into a profitable venture. There are many stories of “bedroom coders” turning a great idea into a multi-million (or even billion) dollar venture, as this data graphic created by CWCS highlighting the richest people in technology shows.
Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, is the biggest dollar gainer in Forbes Billionaire list this year, but Zuckerberg isn’t the only billionaire to come out of Facebook. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, entered the billionaire list for the first time in 2014 and has a net worth of just over $1 billion. Facebook VP Jeff Rothschild was another new entry for 2014, and he has a net worth of $1.5 billion.
Another interesting addition to the billionaire’s list for 2014 is Jan Koum, the co-founder of the communication software WhatsApp. This convenient mobile instant messenger app was a sleeper hit until recently, when Facebook decided to acquire it, bringing it to the attention of millions of users worldwide. The social network has been on an acquisition spree recently, expanding its horizons to hardware by picking up Oculus, the makers of the prototype virtual reality headset Oculus Rift.
As you can see, if you have a great idea, it pays to develop it, because success can come from many angles. Even if you don’t manage to get your product to market yourself, if the idea is good someone may want to pick it up!
