Microsoft is an American multinational technology corporation headquartered in Redmond. Founded on 4 April 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, it operates as a public company spanning software, technology, and related business lines. As of the company’s most recent reported figure, Microsoft employs 228,000 people.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- Founded: 4 April 1975
- Headquarters: Redmond
- Founder: Bill Gates; Paul Allen
- Type: software company; technology company; public company
- Employees: 228,000
- Website: https://www.microsoft.com/
Founding and early product
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on 4 April 1975. The company’s name was originally written “Micro-Soft,” combining “microcomputer” and “software.” Its first product was a BASIC programming language interpreter written for the Altair 8800 microcomputer made by MITS.
Structure and operations
Microsoft is classified as a software company, a technology company, and a public company. It is headquartered in Redmond, in the United States, and its operations are documented on its corporate website, microsoft.com. It employs 228,000 people.
Acquisitions and corporate culture
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard required approval from 16 different governments before the deal could close. Internally, the company runs a program called Microsoft Garage, which lets employees work on passion projects outside their main job assignments.
Did you know
- Microsoft runs an internal program called “Microsoft Garage,” where employees can work on passion projects unrelated to their main job. (ohfact.com)
- Microsoft’s Redmond campus is designated as a protected wildlife area, home to rabbits, ducks, geese, and other animals. (ohfact.com)
- The Activision Blizzard acquisition required approval from 16 different governments before it could close. (kbssidhu.substack.com)
Data sources
Data updated: 2026-11-13