One year after a bipolar episode put him in the hospital, Bonobos cofounder Andy Dunn sold his company to Walmart for $310 million

One year after his bipolar episode led to his hospitalization, Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos, sold his company to Walmart for $310 million. Prior to the sale, Dunn had been navigating a significant mental health crisis, having been diagnosed with Bipolar I during his college years. This mental health condition, characterized by extreme mood and energy fluctuations, manic episodes, and depressive periods, had previously gone undiagnosed for many years.

During his early career, Dunn's symptoms often went unnoticed as he immersed himself in the high-energy, high-risk lifestyle typical of entrepreneurs. However, mounting stress and personal circumstances eventually triggered a manic episode in 2016 that culminated in a hospitalization at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. During this episode, Dunn experienced grandiose delusions, including believing he was the president of the United States and Batman, and he physically assaulted his girlfriend, Manuela, during his altered state.

This event marked a turning point in Dunn's life, prompting him to seek medication, therapy, and a more structured routine to manage his condition. Despite the turmoil, Bonobos continued to thrive under Dunn's leadership until its acquisition by Walmart. In the years following his hospitalization, Dunn has been open about his mental health journey, using his experiences to inspire others through TED talks and his 2022 book, "Burn Rate."

He also co-founded Pie, a social media platform aimed at combating loneliness and fostering real-world connections.