Logo: Microsoft Corporation - Jason Wells, Public domain

Microsoft

Software, cloud, AI and hardware company.

SoftwareCloud computingAIGamingEnterprise

IPO^{Source [5]}^{Source [1]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About Microsoft

Microsoft develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions for individuals and businesses. Its products include operating systems, server applications, business applications, developer tools and video games, and it designs and sells PCs, tablets, gaming consoles and accessories. It also sells online advertising.^{Source [1]}

It reports three segments: Productivity and Business Processes (including Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn), Intelligent Cloud (including Azure and GitHub cloud services) and More Personal Computing (including Windows, XBOX and search advertising). In fiscal 2026 it reported revenue of $331.8 billion and net income of $133.7 billion.^{Source [1]}

Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft on April 4, 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to make software for the Altair 8800. It was incorporated in Washington State in 1981 and went public on Nasdaq on March 13, 1986. Its headquarters are in Redmond, Washington.^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [1]}

Steve Ballmer succeeded Gates as CEO in January 2000. Satya Nadella has been CEO since February 2014 and chairman since June 2021.^{Source [6]}^{Source [1]}

What happened

Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to make software for the Altair 8800, and moved to Washington State in 1979. It went public in 1986 and trades on Nasdaq as MSFT. Gates was succeeded as CEO by Steve Ballmer in 2000, and Satya Nadella became CEO in 2014.^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [6]}

Timeline

2026-07Reported fiscal 2026 revenue of $331.8 billion and about 223,000 full-time employees.^{Source [1]}
2023-10-13Completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.^{Source [8]}
2022-03-04Completed its acquisition of Nuance.^{Source [9]}
2021-06Satya Nadella became chairman of the board.^{Source [1]}
2020-03-13Co-founder Bill Gates left the board of directors.^{Source [4]}
2018-06-04Agreed to acquire GitHub for $7.5 billion.^{Source [10]}
2016-06-13Agreed to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.^{Source [11]}
2014-02-04Named Satya Nadella CEO; Bill Gates stepped down as chairman.^{Source [7]}
2011-05-10Agreed to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion.^{Source [12]}
2008-06-27Bill Gates moved out of a day-to-day role.^{Source [4]}
2000-01-13Steve Ballmer succeeded Bill Gates as CEO.^{Source [6]}
1986-03-13Went public at $21 per share.^{Source [5]}^{Source [13]}
1981-06-25Incorporated in Washington State.^{Source [5]}
1975-04-04Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico.^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}

Products and brands

Windows: PC operating system.^{Source [1]}
Microsoft 365: Office productivity and collaboration apps and cloud services, including Teams.^{Source [1]}
Azure: Cloud computing and AI infrastructure services.^{Source [1]}
Copilot: AI assistant products, including Microsoft 365 Copilot.^{Source [1]}
LinkedIn: Professional networking service.^{Source [1]}^{Source [11]}
GitHub: Software development platform.^{Source [1]}^{Source [10]}
XBOX: Gaming consoles, content and XBOX Game Pass.^{Source [1]}
Bing: Search engine and search advertising.^{Source [1]}

How it makes money: Sells cloud services, software subscriptions and licenses, devices, games and online advertising. In fiscal 2026, service and other revenue was $267.1 billion and product revenue was $64.7 billion.^{Source [1]}

Leadership

Satya Nadella	Chairman and CEO^{Source [1]}	Since 2014
Amy Hood	Executive Vice President and CFO^{Source [1]}	Since 2013
Brad Smith	Vice Chair and President^{Source [1]}	Since 2021
Judson Althoff	CEO, Microsoft Commercial Business^{Source [1]}	Since 2025

Funding and financials

Revenue: $331.8 billion (fiscal 2026, ended June 30, 2026)^{Source [1]}
Operating income: $155.2 billion (fiscal 2026)^{Source [1]}
Net income: $133.7 billion (fiscal 2026)^{Source [1]}

Notable acquisitions

Activision Blizzard^{Source [8]}^{Source [14]}	2023	$75.4 billion total purchase price
Nuance Communications^{Source [9]}^{Source [15]}	2022	$19.7 billion (announced value)
GitHub^{Source [10]}	2018	$7.5 billion
LinkedIn^{Source [11]}	2016	$26.2 billion
Skype^{Source [12]}	2011	$8.5 billion

People on Founded, and where they went next

2 people on record, connected to 12 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Bill Gates	Co-founder, CEO, Chief Software Architect, Chairman of the Board, Board member (Founder and Technology Advisor), Technology Advisor1975 to 2020	Breakthrough Energy2015 to nowActiveGates Ventures2008 to nowActiveTerraPower2006 to nowActiveGates Foundation2000 to nowActiveTraf-O-DataShut down
Reid Hoffman	Board member2017 to now	Manas AI2025ActiveInflection AI2022ActiveGreylock2009 to nowActiveLinkedIn2002 to 2016AcquiredPayPal2000 to 2002IPOConfinity1998 to 2000MergedSocialNet.com1997 to 2000Status unknown

Sources

Microsoft Corporation Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), 2026-07-29. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft founded, HISTORY.com, 2025-05-28. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft, PaulAllen.com. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft announces change to its board of directors, Microsoft, 2020-03-13. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Investor Relations FAQs, Microsoft. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Steve Ballmer takes over as CEO of Microsoft on January 13, 2000, HistoryLink.org, 2013-07-26. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft Board names Satya Nadella as CEO, Microsoft, 2014-02-04. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft Corporation Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), 2024-07-30. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft completes acquisition of Nuance, ushering in new era of outcomes-based AI, Microsoft, 2022-03-04. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft to acquire GitHub for $7.5 billion, Microsoft, 2018-06-04. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn, Microsoft, 2016-06-13. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft to Acquire Skype, Microsoft, 2011-05-10. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft Corporation offers first shares to the public on March 13, 1986, HistoryLink.org, 2000-01-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone, across every device, Microsoft, 2022-01-18. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Microsoft accelerates industry cloud strategy for healthcare with the acquisition of Nuance, Microsoft, 2021-04-12. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

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