In 2005, when Facebook was still a fledgling startup, digital-networking service rooted in Harvard dorm rooms and youthful ambition, artist David Choe was hired to paint murals on the walls of the company’s first Silicon Valley office in Palo Alto. What happened next is a dramatic illustration of risk, art, and startup culture colliding—and how an unconventional bet can pay off in a very big way.
David Choe, a Los Angeles-based street-artist and muralist with Korean-immigrant roots, had built a reputation for bold, raw, figurative works—graffiti-inspired, expressive, sometimes controversial.
In 2005, Facebook’s then-president Sean Parker invited Choe to decorate what would become the company’s first official office. According to multiple sources:
The job was initially offered as a cash payment of approximately US$60,000. Celebrity Net Worth+2ABC News+2
Instead of taking the cash, Choe opted for equity: he accepted a stake in Facebook amounting to approximately 0.1 %–0.25 % of the company’s total shares at the time. hollywoodreporter.com+2Celebrity Net Worth+2
Choe himself reportedly thought at the time that Facebook’s business model was “ridiculous and pointless.” Nevertheless he made the choice of stock over cash. ABC News+1
When Facebook went public in 2012, the company’s valuation had soared. Around the IPO, Choe’s equity stake was estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. For example:
According to ABC News’s February 2012 analysis: Choe’s 0.25 % stake could be worth upward of US$200 million. ABC News
Another source (UNILAD Tech, July 2025) estimates his net worth at around US$300 million as of 2025.
However:
It is unclear exactly how many of his shares he retained, when (or if) he sold them, or what his exact current holdings are. (If he still held the full 0.25 % to date, the value could be significantly higher). Celebrity Net Worth+1
Net worth estimates vary significantly by source. Some estimate ~$200 million, others ~$300 million or more. Magazine Artsper+1
This anecdote is instructive for several reasons:
Risk vs reward: Choe’s decision to take equity rather than cash is emblematic of the “we’ll give you shares instead” culture of early-stage tech—high risk, high reward.
Talents beyond art: It illustrates that sometimes creative work intersects business strategy in surprising ways. Choe’s mural was aesthetic, but his compensation choice became strategic.
Timing and luck: The success owes much to Facebook’s extraordinary growth. Had the company not become a juggernaut, the equity might have been worthless.
Not a guarantee for artists: For every success story like this, there are countless artists who take cash and miss out on potential upside. It isn’t a blueprint—just one remarkable case.
We should interpret with caution: Because the details (exact percentage, retention, timing of sale) aren’t publicly confirmed, the large figures have a speculative component. Reliable verification is limited.
When offered payment in equity, ask: what is the company’s valuation? What are my rights? When can I sell?
Diversification matters: even if one asset (such as shares) goes big, it’s prudent not to put everything on one speculative bet.
Understand your sector: In art, many value cash flow and independence; in tech, there is sometimes a tilt toward equity and growth. Align with your goals.
Don’t assume success is guaranteed: That “mega windfall” scenario depends on many moving parts—growth, market conditions, liquidity, stock restrictions.
Know your deal: For creatives doing work for startups, think about contract terms, vesting, liquidity, tax implications.
