Steve Wozniak Says He Cofounded Apple After 5 Rejections From HP — Not To Get Rich, But To Hear One Word: 'Whoa'

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) cofounder Steve Wozniak says he didn’t start the company to get rich. Instead, he wanted fellow engineers to look at his designs and say, “Whoa.”

What Motivated Wozniak?

Wozniak emphasized that his motivation was never about building a tech empire but rather about creating a personal computer and earning the admiration of fellow engineers.

Wozniak recounted his early days at Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HP), where he pitched his computer idea five times without success. This led him to join Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne in founding Apple in 1976. Despite receiving a 45% stake in Apple, Wozniak gradually sold much of his stock in the 1980s, prioritizing personal values over wealth accumulation.

"When you try things, they don't have to be for obvious money. When we started Apple, did I want to make money? Start a company? Start an industry? No," Wozniak said earlier this month at a commencement address for Grand Valley State University.

"I wanted other engineers or other computer people to look at my designs and say, ‘Whoa' and appreciate me and my brilliance, ‘How did he come up with these things?'" he said.

"Don't follow the same steps as a million other people. Think: ‘Is there something I can do a little different?"

From Cofounding A Multi-Trillion-Dollar Tech Behemoth To Teaching

Wozniak, who later completed his degree at the University of California, Berkeley, under the alias “Rocky Raccoon Clark," according to a Fortune report, also fulfilled his dream of teaching.

He advised graduates to embrace unconventional paths and not rush into a career. His message to Gen Z was clear: “Do your best” and find joy in what you do, even if it means taking a different route.

Wozniak's Journey Highlights Importance Of Perseverance

Wozniak’s story has recently been cited by Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong as an example of why unconventional ideas shouldn’t be dismissed after a single rejection.

Armstrong has argued that innovation often depends on finding one supporter rather than winning unanimous approval.

Moreover, Wozniak’s unique interests, such as his fascination with the Klein bottle, underscore his belief in the value of creativity and curiosity.

His characterization of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk as “cult leaders” further illustrates his understanding of leadership and influence in the tech industry.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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