Travis Kalanick, the entrepreneur best known for co-founding Uber, has officially joined the ranks of high-net-worth individuals departing California. Kalanick recently confirmed his move to Texas, a decision that comes as the Golden State considers a significant wealth tax proposal targeting its wealthiest residents.
A Strategic Departure to the Lone Star State
During a recent interview with the Technology Business Programming Network (TPBN) on Friday, Kalanick addressed questions about his current endeavors, specifically the growth of his rebranded robotics startup, Atoms. When asked about his past tendency to operate out of Los Angeles, Kalanick clarified his new residency.
“Well first, let’s just be clear: on December 18, I moved to Texas,” Kalanick stated. He then added, with a hint of irony, “I don’t know what’s so specific about December 18, but let’s just say it’s prior to January.”
This timing has drawn considerable attention, as it immediately precedes January 1, the critical date for a proposed bill in California. The legislation, dubbed “The 2026 Billionaire Tax Act,” seeks to impose a one-time five percent tax on the total net worth exceeding $1 billion for any individual who was a California resident as of the first day of this year. While Kalanick did not explicitly cite the tax as his reason for moving, the proximity of his relocation date to the bill’s effective residency threshold has fueled speculation.
Photo: ktla.com
Kalanick also playfully alluded to a sense of missing out on a trend, noting that many of his peers have chosen Florida as their new home. “I get a little bit of [fear of missing out] when these guys go to Florida…like dude! Why so much Florida action, homies?” he chuckled during the interview.
Kalanick’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Originally from the San Fernando Valley, Kalanick’s journey into the tech world began after he left UCLA in the early 2000s to pursue various startup ventures. His most notable success came with the establishment of Uber in 2009, where he served as CEO until his resignation in 2017 following allegations concerning the company’s culture and handling of sexual harassment claims.
Since his departure from Uber, Kalanick has remained active in the business world. He launched a venture fund and subsequently became the CEO of City Storage Systems, which encompasses the ghost kitchen enterprise CloudKitchens, based in Los Angeles. His latest venture, Atoms, which he announced this week, will integrate CloudKitchens and shift its primary focus to robotics technology.
