Billion Dollar Loser

More about the book

“Vivid, carefully reported drama that readers will gulp down as if it were a fast-paced novel” (Ken Auletta). This compelling narrative details the rise and fall of WeWork and its CEO, Adam Neumann, chronicling one of the most audacious sagas in American business history. Initially, WeWork aimed to transform the American workplace into a trendy hub for freelancers, led by Neumann, an immigrant with grand ambitions. Over a decade, the company attracted billions from top investors, using the funds to create a global real estate empire that Neumann claimed was about more than just business—it was about "elevating the world's consciousness." The book navigates the intersections of New York real estate, Silicon Valley venture capital, and Neumann's unique blend of spirituality and ambition. Based on over two hundred interviews, it reveals the rapid growth of WeWork and Neumann's complex relationships with influential investors, including Masayoshi Son of Softbank. The narrative culminates in a detailed account of the five weeks leading to WeWork’s failed IPO and Neumann’s dramatic ousting, exposing the company's frantic efforts to secure necessary funding amid a decade marked by excess. This work captures the high-stakes, blue-sky world of American business during President Trump’s first term and reflects on the repercussions as a new era unfolds.