Microsoft Corporation
| Microsoft Corporation | |
| |
| Founded | April 4, 1975 |
| Founders | Bill Gates, Paul Allen |
| Headquarters | Redmond, Washington, U.S. |
| Key people | Satya Nadella (Chairman & CEO) |
| Industry | Technology, Software, Electronics |
| Revenue | US$211.9 billion (2023) |
| Net income | US$72.7 billion (2023) |
| Employees | 221,000+ (2023) |
| Website | microsoft.com |
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company that produces computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers and services. Its most well-known products are the Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Xbox game consoles. Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., and is currently headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft is one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world, with a market capitalization consistently ranking it among the top companies globally. The company operates in more than 190 countries and has a wide range of products and services that cater to various sectors, including technology, entertainment, gaming, and cloud computing.
History
The company was initially focused on developing software for personal computers. Microsoft’s first major product was an implementation of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800, one of the first microcomputers. The company quickly gained market dominance with the release of its Windows operating system in 1985. In the early 1990s, Microsoft expanded into software development tools and launched the Microsoft Office suite, which became the standard for business software worldwide.
Over the years, Microsoft has expanded into other areas of the technology industry, including gaming (with the Xbox console and gaming network), cloud computing (with Azure), and enterprise solutions (with LinkedIn and GitHub).
Products and Services
- Windows operating systems
- Microsoft Office productivity software
- Xbox gaming consoles and services
- Azure cloud computing platform
- GitHub
Leadership
As of 2023, the company’s Chairman and CEO is Satya Nadella, who succeeded Steve Ballmer as CEO in 2014. Under Nadella's leadership, Microsoft has shifted its focus to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, becoming a leader in the cloud services market through its Azure platform.
Financials
Microsoft reported a revenue of US$211.9 billion in 2023, with an operating income of US$72.7 billion and net income also reaching US$72.7 billion. The company’s total assets amounted to US$400.1 billion in 2023, with a total equity of US$179.5 billion.