Travis Kalanick, the co-founder of Uber, has announced his move from California to Texas, adding his name to the growing roster of billionaires departing the Golden State. This trend comes as California lawmakers push for a substantial tax on the wealthy, drawing criticism and prompting relocation among the affluent.
During an appearance on TPBN to discuss his robotics venture, Atoms, Kalanick shared with hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays that he officially settled in Austin on December 18. His relocation highlights a broader movement among billionaires seeking refuge from California’s proposed tax policies.
California’s political scene is currently abuzz with discussions about the proposed 2026 Billionaire Tax Act. This initiative, which may appear on the November 2026 ballot, aims to levy a one-time 5% tax on fortunes surpassing $1 billion, specifically targeting individuals who are residents of California as of January 1, 2026.
Kalanick humorously remarked about missing out on the trend of wealthy Americans flocking to Florida. “Why so much Florida action?! Like, come on homies,” he quipped, reflecting on the considerable migration to the Sunshine State.
Among the notable tech magnates who have already made the move from California to Florida are Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, PayPal and Palantir investor Peter Thiel, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. Their exits underscore a significant shift in the habitats of the tech elite, driven largely by fiscal strategies and lifestyle preferences.
Other billionaire tech figures to leave California for Florida include Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, PayPal and Palantir investor Peter Thiel, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.
While California still boasts the largest billionaire population in the United States, an increasing number have relocated to places such as Reno, Austin and Miami.
Kalanick also reflected on the turmoil surrounding his departure from Uber in 2017, which came after a number of scandals, workplace culture issues and pressure from investors.
He was also dealing with the tragedy of a boating accident that killed his mother and left his father seriously injured.
âI had been torn away from an idea and a movement that I had poured my life into. I had lost my bearings as I found the world increasingly operating by the rules of perception, not reality,â he wrote on the Atoms website.
Atoms — previously known as City Storage Systems — is an industrial robotics company that automates tasks in sectors including food service, mining and transportation using physical AI robots described as âgainfully employed.â
âI bled, but I did not perish. I got back up and fought my way back into the arena, back to my calling. Back to building,â Kalanick wrote.
