SpaceX is heading to the public markets — and when it gets there, around 4,400 employees stand to become millionaires overnight.
While Elon Musk edges closer to becoming the world's first trillionaire, the people who built his rocket company are about to see their own lives change completely.
The Bet That Paid Off
For years, joining SpaceX felt like a gamble.
The company was private, Musk was vocal about his dislike of public markets, and there was no clear path to cashing out.
Some early employees reportedly got so tired of waiting that they traded their stock options for restaurant gift cards — including, according to multiple workers, Chili's vouchers.
Those employees are now described as being "consumed by regret."
The Ones Who Held On
Not everyone bailed.
Helvin Bacareza, 40, joined SpaceX's South Texas facility in 2020 as a global supply manager. He left after two years but held on to what he called a "substantial" amount of stock.
When asked whether he had sold any shares over the years, Bacareza laughed.
"I'm not an idiot," he said — and confirmed he plans to hold everything through the IPO.
A Family Story Worth Telling
Travis Hise joined SpaceX in 2011, over the objections of his parents.
Growing up in Cocoa, Florida, his mother sold furniture and his father worked as a plumber at the Kennedy Space Center. To them, SpaceX was an unproven startup that probably wouldn't last.
"At the time, there was very much the sentiment that SpaceX was an unproven start-up that wouldn't last very long," Hise recalled.
He joined anyway.
Over the years, Hise sold small amounts of stock for life milestones — his wedding, a home down payment — but kept the bulk of his shares.
After leaving SpaceX in 2023, he moved into real estate investment.
Now, with the IPO approaching, Hise and his wife have hired a financial planner and are setting up a private foundation to give away a portion of their incoming wealth.
As for his parents? "They're very proud," he said.
What the Numbers Could Look Like
SpaceX's private valuation has been climbing steadily. Here is how the company's worth has grown over the years:
| Year | Estimated Valuation |
|---|---|
| 2015 | ~$12 billion |
| 2019 | ~$33 billion |
| 2023 | ~$150 billion |
| 2026 (pre-IPO) | $350 billion+ |
Employee stock packages — even modest ones — tied to that kind of growth can produce life-changing sums.
The Bigger Picture
This is not just a SpaceX story.
It is a story about what happens when ordinary workers bet on an uncertain idea early enough — and have the patience to hold.
For anyone watching this and wondering how to think about wealth-building through equity and long-term investing, our guide on how much to invest at 18 to become a millionaire breaks down the compounding math clearly. And if you're mapping out what to do when a sudden windfall arrives, what is the smartest thing to do with $100,000 is worth reading before making any moves.
According to a report by Bloomberg, SpaceX's IPO timeline has accelerated significantly in 2026 as investor demand for space and defence technology hits record levels. Reuters has reported that the company's Starlink satellite business alone could justify a standalone valuation exceeding $100 billion.
The regret of those who sold for gift cards. The pride of a father who once doubted his son's choice. The financial planner now on speed dial.
That is what an IPO looks like from the inside.
Reported by the WealthBlueprint NewsDesk | Markets & Wealth Desk | June 13, 2026