If you’ve ever noticed those annoying ads inside a mobile game, you have Zain Jaffer to thank. As co-founder of Vungle, he helped invent the rewarded video ad — the one that lets you revive your game character by watching a 15-second spot.
Jaffer sold Vungle to Blackstone for $780 million, personally walking away with more than $100 million. What happened next is the part that few founders talk about.
You’ll discover how to:
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Lose $23 million and live to tell the story.
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Protect yourself from friends who start treating you like a walking ATM.
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Avoid the short-term trading trap that drains post-exit wealth.
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Decide whether to pass on your fortune — or give it away.
Listen now to hear how Zain Jaffer rebuilt purpose, discipline, and perspective after one of the biggest exits in ad tech.
Quote of the Week
I trusted the wrong guy and treated it like a startup. I got screwed — that was literally my $13 million loss.
Deals
Basler Electric Company, a long-standing innovator in power control and protection systems, has agreed to be acquired by Littelfuse, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFUS) for $350 million in cash. For full-year 2025, Basler is expected to generate $125 million in revenue with a high-teens adjusted EBITDA margin, implying a valuation of roughly 2.8x revenue.
