The story of Microsoft

1975 –

Microsoft. American software and cloud-computing company founded in 1975.

1975

Bill Gates founded Microsoft. Co-founder. Paul Allen founded Microsoft. Co-founder.

Nov 1980

IBM awarded a contract to Microsoft. Operating system for the IBM PC.

1981

Microsoft acquired 86-DOS. $50,000.

Licensed in December 1980 for $25,000; all rights bought the next summer for a further $50,000.

Oct 2007

Microsoft invested in Meta Platforms. Equity stake at a $15 billion valuation, $240M.

22 Jul 2019

Microsoft invested in OpenAI. $1B.

2021

Microsoft invested in OpenAI.

23 Jan 2023

Microsoft invested in OpenAI. Multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment (third phase).

Oct 2025 –

Microsoft owns a stake in OpenAI. 27%, as of 31 Dec 2025.

until 12 Jan 2026

The Vanguard Group holds shares for clients in Microsoft. 8.95%, 664,882,153 shares, as of 30 Sep 2025.

Percentage from Microsoft’s proxy table; the share count comes from Vanguard’s Schedule 13G/A filed in February 2024. On 27 March 2026 The Vanguard Group reported 0 Microsoft shares (Schedule 13G/A No. 10) after an internal realignment on 12 January 2026. Vanguard Capital Management now reports the funds’ holding: 7.48% as of 31 March 2026.

Microsoft, shares held for clients by BlackRock, State Street Corporation and Vanguard Capital Management.

Microsoft, involved in the IBM–Microsoft operating-system deal.

Microsoft, located in Albuquerque.

15 sourced connections, each with its evidence. Open the explorer to follow any of them further, filter by lens, or move through time.

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