You’ve probably seen the name Jeff Wald pop up if you spend any time tracking the New York tech scene or the "Future of Work" circuit. He’s the guy who co-founded WorkMarket and eventually sold it to ADP. Naturally, when someone exits a company to a massive conglomerate, the first thing everyone does is fire up Google to check their bank account.
But here is the thing about Jeff Wald net worth—it isn't just one number on a spreadsheet.
Most celebrity net worth sites are, frankly, guessing. They see a $135 million acquisition and assume the founder walked away with a check for that exact amount. It doesn't work like that. Between venture capital preferences, board seats, and angel investments, the math gets messy fast.
The WorkMarket Exit and the Reality of Startup Math
In 2018, ADP acquired WorkMarket. While many sources cite the price at roughly $135 million, the official SEC filings and press releases from ADP often kept the specific "check size" under wraps. Even if we use that $135 million figure as a baseline, you have to look at the cap table.
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WorkMarket had raised roughly $66 million in venture capital before the sale.
Investors like Union Square Ventures, Spark Capital, and SoftBank don't give away money for free. They have "liquidation preferences." This means they get their money back first. When you account for the fact that Wald shared the founding duties with Jeffrey Leventhal, the "take-home" pay is a fraction of the headline number.
Still, a fraction of $135 million is a lot of money.
Where the Money Actually Is Now
Jeff Wald isn't just sitting on a pile of cash from a single exit. He’s what we call a "serial" entrepreneur, though he’d probably tell you that just means he likes staying busy. He also founded Spinback, which eventually found its way into the Salesforce ecosystem via Buddy Media.
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His wealth is spread across several buckets:
- Angel Investing: He’s backed dozens of startups. Angel investing is high-risk, but if even one of those companies hits a unicorn valuation, it dwarfs the original exit.
- Board Positions: Wald sits on boards like Steel Connect (NASDAQ: STCN). Public board members get paid—sometimes in cash, often in stock.
- Book Sales: He wrote The End of Jobs. While books rarely make people "rich" on their own, they are massive lead generators for $20,000 to $50,000 speaking gigs.
- LP Stakes: He is a Limited Partner in several venture capital firms.
Honestly, trying to pin down a specific Jeff Wald net worth figure is a fool's errand because so much of it is tied up in private equity. Some estimates place his liquid net worth in the $5 million to $10 million range, but his total "paper" net worth—including all those startup bets—could be significantly higher depending on how those companies are valued today.
The Bankruptcy Nobody Talks About
If you think it’s been all private jets and easy exits, you're wrong. Wald has been very vocal about the "implosion" of an earlier startup. He actually went bankrupt earlier in his career.
He’s talked about the "trauma" of having to shut down a company and send everyone home. That period left him depressed and nearly moving back in with his parents. This is a crucial context. When you look at his wealth today, you aren't just looking at a lucky break; you’re looking at someone who clawed their way out of a financial hole.
Is He a Billionaire?
No. Not even close.
There’s a common misconception that every successful tech founder in NYC is a billionaire. Jeff Wald is wealthy, certainly in the top 1% of earners globally, but he’s a "working" wealthy entrepreneur. He’s still launching new ventures like Bento Engine and Sonero.
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Why This Matters for You
The fascination with Jeff Wald net worth usually stems from people wanting to know "how he did it." The takeaway isn't the final number. It’s the diversification.
He didn't just sell a company and retire to a beach. He took that capital and recycled it. He became an LP. He wrote a book to build authority. He joined boards to get a bird's-eye view of other industries.
If you want to build a similar profile, stop looking for the "one big win." Wald’s financial life is a series of overlapping bets. Some failed miserably. Some, like WorkMarket, paid off.
Next Steps for Your Own Growth:
- Audit your "Human Capital": Wald didn't just have money; he had a network. If you’re a founder, spend more time on LinkedIn building genuine peer relationships than cold-emailing investors.
- Look into the Gig Economy: Read The End of Jobs. Even if you aren't an entrepreneur, understanding how the workforce is shifting toward "on-demand" talent will help you protect your own income.
- Diversify Early: If you have any extra cash, don't just put it in an index fund. Look into micro-angel investing or platforms that allow you to take small stakes in private companies.