Share your insights or perspective on the financial matter presented in the input.

How are startup shares worth more than the total investment funding?
The net worth is based on an estimate of how much he would get if he relinquished his stake.  The total funding is based on how much he has relinquished thus far. Suppose I have a candy jar with 100 candies.  I'm not sure how much these candies are worth, so I start off by selling 10% of the jar for $10.  Now I have 90 candies and $10, a total value of $100.  Then someone comes along offering $100 for another 10% (of the original jar, or 10 candies), which I accept.  Now I have 80 candies and $110.  Since I value each candy at $10 now, I calculate my worth as $910.  Then I do another deal selling 10% for $1000.  Now I have $1110 in cash and 70 candies valued at $100 each.  My total worth is now $8110 (cash + remaining candies), while the candy jar has only received $1110 in funding. Replace candies with equity in The Facebook, Inc. and you get the idea.