Five of the biggest winners in Facebook’s IPO… and three you won’t expect

The tech world is in a tizzy over Facebook’s IPO, which at $US5 billion is set to be among one of the largest in recent years.

Many of Facebook’s earliest investors and employees will gain significant chunks of cash, propelling some into the ranks of the world’s richest.

Whether it’s Microsoft with its 1.6% stake or Zuckerberg himself with a 24.8% ownership, there are dozens, even hundreds, of individuals and businesses set to win big from the social network’s debut on the stock market.

Here are five of the biggest winners from Facebook’s IPO – including some less familiar ones.

Dustin Moskovitz

One of Facebook’s earliest employees, Moskovitz helped Zuckerberg build Facebook from his dorm room in Harvard. From there, he moved out to California and was the company’s earliest chief technology officer – he helped keep the site online during those early days of rapid expansion.

At one point, Facebook was growing so quickly it had to keep buying new servers every day. Moskovitz had his hands full.

Although he’s moved on to other things, the experience has paid off. Moskovitz holds 133 million shares, or 7.6% of the company, which could be worth billions.

Accel Partners

Accel was one of the earliest investors in Facebook, after venture capitalist Peter Thiel had put his own money in as well. In fact, Accel was so early on the ball with this one that it invested in May 2005, just as Facebook was hitting three million users.

The investment was modest, just $12.5 million, but it’s won Accel founder Jim Breyer a bucketload of money. Back in 2010 it was rumoured Accel sold off some stock at a $US35 billion valuation. The value is debatable but it’s sure that Breyer walked away with several hundred million dollars.

Accel holds 201 million shares at 11.4%. If the $US100 billion valuation proves correct, Breyer will have made one of the best-performing investments in technology history.

Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel was first on the block when Facebook showed up. Having built up PayPal, Thiel was always looking for new investments and made a $US500,000 payment. Originally he had 10% of the company but he now owns about 2.5%, or 44 million shares.

However, Thiel’s investment will net him billions and as it turns out, will probably make him the float’s biggest winner.

Sheryl Sandberg

Sandberg is a relatively new addition to the Facebook clan, only joining in 2008. But she currently holds 1.8 million shares and 38.1 million in options that will vest over five years.

Winkelvoss twins

Although they conceded defeat in a legal battle that took over half a decade to finalise, the Winkelvoss twins aren’t done yet. They still hold a piece of the company from the original settlement, believed to be worth around 1.2 million shares.

If Facebook’s reported valuations are correct, the twins could end up with a healthy profit of around $US300 million.

In fact, there are a few names from Zuckerberg’s past that are set to strike it rich here. Co-founder Eduardo Saverin still holds about 5% of the company, and Sean Parker still holds 4%.

And a few unusual names…

The rock star

Yes, that’s Bono. This rock star is probably one of the least likely people to make it rich from Facebook’s IPO, but the music vet made a punt worth $US90 million on the secondary market in 2009.

According to various reports, Bono’s investment vehicle Elevation Partners purchased 1.5% of the company at $US30 per share.

It’s not a huge investment but enough to give Bono’s wealth a healthy boost, potentially making him one of the richest men in the world.

The artist

David Choe is a name that doesn’t mean much around in Australia tech circles, but this Californian artist is about to become very, very rich.

When Choe was hired by the company to paint some new officers, he took payment in shares. Good choice. He’s waited until now to cash them in and will probably make anywhere up to $US200 million.

And the dentist

Mark Zuckerberg’s father is actually one of the company’s earliest investors. He threw in a little bit of money early in Facebook’s history to get the project up and running, and was awarded with a modest stake.

That modest stake is now worth $US2 million.