Renowned musician Will.i.am has revealed his early investment in Tesla, crediting the company's success to Elon Musk's leadership. Despite this profitable decision, he expressed regret over declining an opportunity to invest in Airbnb during its nascent stages. Known for his sharp business acumen, Will.i.am also shared insights into his admiration for tech pioneers like Musk and Steve Jobs, acknowledging their influence on his career trajectory.

Tesla Investment: A Visionary Move

Will.i.am made a prescient move by investing in Tesla back in 2006, well before Elon Musk took the helm as CEO. This strategic financial choice positioned him to potentially capitalize on Tesla's meteoric rise, which saw its stock increase more than 420 times from its initial public offering price. Although he chose not to disclose current holdings, his early stake underscores his foresight in recognizing Tesla's potential.

The musician's decision to invest in Tesla predated the company's public debut in 2010 when shares were priced at $17 each. After accounting for stock splits, the adjusted IPO price stands at $1.13 per share. By December, Tesla's stock reached an all-time high of approximately $480, reflecting a remarkable return on investment for those who held onto their shares. Will.i.am credits both Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs for significantly impacting his life positively. He proudly mentions being part of the team that sold Beats by Dre to Apple for $3 billion in 2014, highlighting another pivotal moment in his entrepreneurial journey.

Airbnb Opportunity Missed: Lessons Learned

In contrast to his successful Tesla venture, Will.i.am admitted to passing up an invitation from Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky to invest up to $200,000 in the burgeoning home-sharing platform. His decision was influenced by high standards set during frequent hotel stays, where he experienced top-tier concierge services. This oversight led him to lament missing out on what could have been a lucrative investment, given Airbnb's current valuation exceeding $80 billion.

At a recent SXSW event, captured in an Instagram video, Will.i.am humorously remarked about his missed opportunity with Airbnb, saying it left him "bawlin'" instead of "ballin'." Had he committed just 0.1% of Airbnb's equity, his stake would now be worth around $80 million. While reflecting on past decisions, including selling Twitter shares prematurely after Jack Dorsey stepped down, Will.i.am acknowledges these experiences as valuable learning opportunities shaping his future investment strategies. Beyond personal ventures, he maintains admiration for visionary leaders such as Elon Musk, whom he describes as one of this era's heroes due to achievements like making rockets reusable through SpaceX innovations.