Microsoft, founded in 1975, became the world’s most valuable publicly traded company during parts of 2024.
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 4, 1975. The company first became widely known for software, including the MS-DOS operating system and Microsoft Windows, before expanding into enterprise software, cloud computing, gaming, search, and professional networking.
During 2024, Microsoft and Apple repeatedly competed for the top position in global market capitalization, while Nvidia also rose into the leading group. Rankings can change quickly because market capitalization is based on the current share price and the number of shares outstanding.
Microsoft’s modern valuation reflects several businesses rather than a single product. Azure and other cloud services, Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Windows, Xbox, LinkedIn, and enterprise applications all contribute to its financial profile. Its partnership with OpenAI also increased investor attention to Microsoft’s artificial-intelligence strategy.