Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been granted stock options worth approximately $136 million as a reward for achieving a performance target of securing a $120 billion valuation for the ride-hailing company.

With Uber’s market value surpassing $160 billion, Khosrowshahi, along with other executives, holds the right to purchase a combined total of 2.25 million shares, valued at approximately $175 million.

His options, priced at $33.65 each, are due to expire in September, although Khosrowshahi intends to exercise them, albeit not within the next 90 days.

Khosrowshahi had a compensation package crafted to compensate for forfeited options from Expedia, with options over 1.75 million shares tied to Uber’s $120 billion valuation target. He joined Uber from Expedia in 2017.

This milestone was reached after Uber’s equity value averaged at least $120 billion over 90 trading days to February 6. Since then, Uber’s stock has surged by nearly 150% over the past year.

Khosrowshahi assumed leadership at Uber following the departure of Travis Kalanick, Uber’s co-founder, and former CEO, amidst controversies and a tumultuous corporate culture.

Upon assuming the role of CEO, Khosrowshahi wasted no time in implementing sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping Uber’s corporate culture.

He recognized the urgency of addressing the company’s toxic work environment. He therefore embarked on a mission to instill new cultural norms centered around integrity, inclusivity, and accountability.

In addition to cultural reforms, Khosrowshahi faced the formidable task of navigating regulatory challenges and rebuilding relationships with regulators and stakeholders.

He recognized the importance of constructive engagement and dialogue in addressing regulatory concerns and sought to forge stronger partnerships with government agencies and industry stakeholders.

As the CEO of Expedia, a leading online travel company, from 2005 to 2017, Khosrowshahi implemented a series of strategic initiatives. These initiatives propelled the company to become a global powerhouse in the online travel industry.

One of Khosrowshahi’s key priorities at Expedia was expanding the company’s global reach and market presence. Under his guidance, Expedia embraced new technologies and entered emerging markets, allowing the company to capture market share and drive revenue growth.

Khosrowshahi prioritized diversification and innovation as part of Expedia’s growth strategy. He recognized the importance of offering a diverse range of travel services to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

Khosrowshahi spearheaded initiatives to expand Expedia’s service offerings beyond traditional hotel bookings to include vacation rentals, cruises, and activities.

Go Electric’s UTU Saloon Cars Transform Rwanda’s Roads

Additionally, Khosrowshahi focused on prioritizing hotel inventory in smaller markets where advertising costs were lower. This allowed Expedia to maximize its return on investment and capture market share in underserved regions.

Khosrowshahi’s leadership at Expedia was also characterized by a relentless focus on attracting and retaining top talent.

He implemented initiatives to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the organization, empowering employees to drive business results and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Khosrowshahi’s emphasis on talent development and employee engagement helped position Expedia as an employer of choice in the highly competitive tech industry.

Furthermore, Khosrowshahi initiated a charm offensive aimed at winning over hotel owners and operators, who were crucial partners for Expedia’s business.

Under Khosrowshahi’s leadership, Uber has achieved notable successes and milestones. In August 2023, Uber attained an overall profitability for the first time since its inception. This was followed by an operating profit of $1.1 billion on February 2024.

Uber has also embarked on a journey of diversification and expansion beyond its core ride-hailing business. Strategic acquisitions of companies like Postmates, Cornershop, and Drizly have enabled Uber to broaden its service offerings and penetrate new markets.

Khosrowshahi’s vision for Uber extends beyond transportation, encompassing areas such as food delivery, urban mobility solutions, and advertising.

Moreover, Khosrowshahi’s commitment to innovation has been instrumental in driving Uber’s competitive advantage.

He has spearheaded initiatives aimed at leveraging technology to enhance user experience, optimize operations, and unlock new revenue opportunities.