How Daniel Ek Built the Fortune
Daniel Ek is worth an estimated $7.24B today — #44 on the world's rich list. Co-founder and CEO of Spotify, the world's largest music-streaming service.
The fortune didn't appear overnight. The first milestone on the public record came at age 23: co-founded spotify. Everything after that is a chain of documented decisions — this is that chain, year by year.
The Milestones
2006: Co-founded Spotify
at age 23Started Spotify with Martin Lorentzon as a licensed alternative to music piracy.
2008: Public launch
at age 25Launched Spotify to the public in Europe.
2011: US launch
at age 28Brought Spotify to the United States.
2018: Direct listing on NYSE
at age 35Took Spotify public via an unconventional direct listing rather than a traditional IPO.
Today: #44 in the world
Daniel's net worth is an estimated $7.24B, updated in real time from public holdings. See the live number →
Milestones are drawn from widely-reported public history; ages are computed from the birth year and can be off by one depending on the month. Net worth is our real-time estimate.