Apple, one of the world's most valuable companies by market cap, was founded in 1976.
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne established Apple Computer Company in Los Altos, California. The partnership began with the Apple I, a computer designed primarily by Wozniak and assembled by hand.
Apple incorporated in January 1977, after Wayne had already left the business. The Apple II helped turn the company into a major personal-computer manufacturer, while later products such as the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad expanded its reach.
Market capitalization changes with a company's share price, so rankings can shift daily. Apple's founding year does not change, however, and should not be confused with its 1977 incorporation date or the 1984 launch of the Macintosh.