Who Owns Alphabet

In a Nutshell

• Alphabet Inc. was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 2015.
• It is the parent company of Google and several other subsidiaries.
• As of the latest records, Larry Page and Sergey Brin hold significant ownership stakes.
• Institutional investors like mutual funds and pension funds are also major shareholders.
• Alphabet’s Class A, Class B, and Class C shares play a crucial role in its ownership structure.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Alphabet Inc.
2. Alphabet’s Origin and Founders
3. Shareholding Structure
   • Class A Shares
   • Class B Shares
   • Class C Shares
4. Major Individual Shareholders
5. Institutional Investors
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

Introduction to Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc. is a multinational conglomerate created through a corporate restructuring of Google on October 2, 2015. The company is now the parent firm of Google and several former Google subsidiaries.

• Alphabet was created to streamline **operations and allow each of its companies to focus on their specific missions*. Its structure is unique, aiming to keep the innovative spirit of Google while optimizing the management of various diverse projects.

Interesting Fact: Alphabet Inc. was recently ranked fourth on the Fortune 500 list for 2023.

Alphabet’s Origin and Founders

Alphabet was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who were also the founders of Google. They envisioned Alphabet as a way to make Google cleaner and more accountable while allowing more ambitious projects to have the independence they need to succeed.

• Larry Page served as the CEO of Alphabet until he stepped down in December 2019.
• Sergey Brin served as President of Alphabet until stepping down at the same time.

Shareholding Structure

Alphabet’s ownership is divided into three types of shares: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Understanding these shares is crucial to understanding who controls the company.

Class A Shares:
These are the common shares that are publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GOOGL. Each Class A share entitles the shareholder to one vote per share on corporate matters.

Class B Shares:
These shares are held by the founders and early investors and are not publicly traded. They carry ten votes per share, which solidifies control over corporate decisions in the hands of the company’s founders.

Class C Shares:
Class C shares, traded under the ticker symbol GOOG, do not have voting rights. They were introduced in 2014 to raise capital without diluting the voting power of Class A and Class B shareholders.

Major Individual Shareholders

Larry Page and Sergey Brin hold significant shares. As of the latest available data:

• Larry Page holds approximately 26.1% of voting power through Class B shares.
• Sergey Brin holds around 25.2% of voting power.

These stakes allow them to maintain substantial control over the company.

For an in-depth understanding of Alphabet’s shareholders, you can visit Who Owns Alphabet.

Institutional Investors

Several institutional investors own substantial parts of Alphabet. These include mutual funds, pension funds, and other large entities.

• Vanguard Group: One of the largest institutional shareholders.
• BlackRock: Holds a significant stake via its various investment funds.
• Fidelity Investments: Another large institutional holder.

To explore more about the ownership of major companies, visit Who Owns.

Conclusion

Alphabet Inc.’s ownership structure is designed to provide control and stability, primarily through its multiple classes of shares which disproportionately favor its founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. While they maintain significant control, institutional investors also play a vital role in the company’s ownership landscape.

Alphabet’s unique structure allows it to innovate and manage diverse projects efficiently while keeping its core commitments intact. For more detailed information, check out Who Owns.

FAQs

Q1: Who are the founders of Alphabet?
A1: The founders of Alphabet are Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who also founded Google.

Q2: What are Class A, Class B, and Class C shares in Alphabet?
A2: Class A shares are publicly traded and come with voting rights. Class B shares are held by the company’s founders and have ten votes per share. Class C shares are publicly traded but do not have voting rights.

Q3: Who are some of the major institutional investors in Alphabet?
A3: Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and Fidelity Investments are some of the major institutional investors.

Q4: Why was Alphabet Inc. created?
A4: Alphabet was created to streamline operations and allow its subsidiaries to focus on their specific missions while maintaining innovation.

Q5: How much voting power do Larry Page and Sergey Brin hold?
A5: Larry Page holds approximately 26.1% of the voting power, and Sergey Brin holds around 25.2%.

Q6: What is the ticker symbol for Alphabet’s Class A shares?
A6: Alphabet’s Class A shares are traded under the ticker symbol GOOGL.

Q7: Where can I find more detailed information on the ownership of Alphabet?
A7: For more detailed information, you can visit Who Owns Alphabet.

Readers are invited to explore more about the ownership of prominent companies on Who Owns.