Snap is asking investors to put a $25 billion valuation on 2 people

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February 3, 2017 2:18 AM

You can read Snap's IPO filing for yourself here.

Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy

The short version is that Spiegel and Murphy are considered indispensable to the company, and that they'd retain total control over the company, even if one or both of them were fired by the board of directors — which, thanks to their high degree of control, would only happen if they turned on each other.

And if one of them dies, then nine months later, the remaining cofounder would be able to "

The important bits about Spiegel and Murphy from the filing are as follows:

CEO Evan Spiegel owns 21.8% of the company, the filing shows, making him the largest shareholder along with CTO Robert Murphy who owns the same amount.
According to the filing, Spiegel and Murphy have both signed employment agreements, meaning they can theoretically quit or be fired by the board of directors at any time. Given their control of the company, it seems that the only way for one of them to be fired would be in the unlikely event of one turning on the other.
Even if one or both of them is fired, "they will continue to have the ability to exercise the same significant voting power and potentially control the outcome of all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval."
If either Spiegel or Murphy passes away, their Class C stock will convert into Class B stock nine months later, and "the remaining co-founder will be able to exercise voting control over our outstanding capital stock."

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