Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50

In 1976, Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer alongside Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne. In his May commencement address at Grand Valley State University, Wozniak clarified that his motivation was to create a personal computer and earn admiration from his peers, not to generate wealth. Despite the company's current status as a multi-trillion dollar enterprise, Wozniak reportedly received a mere $50 weekly salary throughout his tenure.

When he first started at HP in the 1970s, he pitched his personal computer idea five times and was rejected each time. This led him to accept Jobs' proposition of starting a new venture together. Wozniak's initial share of Apple was 45%, along with Jobs, while Wayne received 10%. However, Wayne later sold his stake, and Wozniak gradually divested his own shares in the 1980s, donating some to charity.

Wozniak has since distanced himself from financial pursuits, stating that he doesn't invest and avoids wealth accumulation to maintain his values. He acknowledges that his unconventional career path may not be suitable for everyone, but encourages graduates to prioritize financial stability before pursuing their ideal career. Wozniak also reflected on his own journey, mentioning that he completed his unfinished degree at Berkeley at 35 under the name Rocky Raccoon Clark.