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Everything you need to know about The Fountainhead, a book that inspires Uber's billionaire CEO Travis Kalanick

Maya KosoffJun 1, 2015, 17:54 IST

Getty Images/Business Insider

Five years ago in June, Uber launched in San Francisco.

Since then, the company has experienced hockey-stick growth, raising $5.9 billion in funding at a $41 billion valuation. Uber is one of the most valuable private tech companies in the world.

But what inspired controversial Uber CEO Travis Kalanick to found his company?

A lot of leaders in Silicon Valley - including Kalanick - have been influenced by Ayn Rand, her novels "Atlas Shrugged" and "The Fountainhead," and the libertarian beliefs espoused within these books.

We decided to take a look at Rand's books - particularly "The Fountainhead" - to explain why Uber and Kalanick behave the way they do.