Andre Lavoie joined SpaceX in 2009 as an engineer, designing pressure tanks for its rockets. Now, his 200,000 shares are worth about $23m (£17m), prompting him to consider selling.

‘Every chance I get going forward, I’ll sell a little bit more,’ he told the BBC, wary of the unpredictable nature of stock markets. SpaceX’s listing on Nasdaq in June has made several thousand employees millionaires, with reports estimating 4,400 new millionaires among its workforce.

Unlike most IPOs, SpaceX shares will be released gradually over time, allowing shareholders to choose when and how much to sell. Despite the hype, some analysts value the company at less than half its current market price due to concerns about financial risks associated with artificial intelligence.

Lavoie plans to use his winnings on a hotel renovation in Italy’s Friuli region and a small brewery. He remains optimistic, stating he would work again with SpaceX’s incredible team, highlighting the solid business model that will prove its worth over time.