Who Owns The Google

Key Takeaways

• Alphabet Inc. is the parent company of Google.
• Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, retain significant influence through special voting shares.
• Institutional investors and public shareholders also own notable portions of Google.
• Google’s ownership structure ensures stability and vision continuation through dual-class stock.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Google’s Early Days: Founders and Funders
• The Formation of Alphabet Inc.
• Current Ownership Structure
• Major Institutional Investors
• Public Shareholders
• Key Takeaways from Ownership Structure
• FAQ

Introduction

Google is a household name, known for its search engine, digital advertising, and many tech innovations. But who exactly owns this tech giant?

Understanding the ownership of Google involves delving into its origin story, the formation of Alphabet Inc., and the distribution of shares among its founders, institutional investors, and public shareholders.

Google’s Early Days: Founders and Funders

Google started as a project by two Stanford University students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in 1996.

• The search engine was initially called “Backrub.”
• Google Inc. was formally established in September 1998.
• Early funding came from well-known venture capitalists like Andy Bechtolsheim (co-founder of Sun Microsystems).

The Formation of Alphabet Inc.

In 2015, Google announced a significant corporate restructuring, leading to the creation of Alphabet Inc. as its parent company.

• Alphabet Inc. oversees Google and its various subsidiaries.
• The restructuring was aimed at allowing the core Google business to remain focused while ambitious projects (such as Waymo and Verily) could operate without affecting Google’s primary operations.

Current Ownership Structure

The ownership structure of Alphabet Inc. involves several layers, including dual-class stock which ensures the company’s stability:

• Class A shares (GOOGL): These are regular shares with one vote each.
• Class B shares: These are owned by Google insiders like Larry Page and Sergey Brin, carrying 10 votes each.
• Class C shares (GOOG): These have no voting rights.

Google’s founders retain a significant amount of control through Class B shares, enabling them to influence the company’s direction even without holding a majority of the stock.

Major Institutional Investors

Institutional investors hold a notable portion of Alphabet Inc.’s shares. Some of the most significant institutional investors include:

• Vanguard Group
• BlackRock
• Fidelity Investments

These institutions have substantial voting power and influence over business decisions due to their large shareholdings.

Public Shareholders

Public shareholders also play a crucial role in Alphabet Inc.’s ownership.

• Public investing allows individuals to buy shares in GOOGL or GOOG through the stock market.
• This ownership diversification helps maintain company liquidity and includes both retail investors and smaller institutional investors.

Key Takeaways from Ownership Structure

Understanding Google’s ownership reveals a complex but strategically designed structure, aiming to retain founder control while maximizing financial growth and operational flexibility.

• Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin maintain substantial influence through Class B shares.
• Institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock own significant portions of the company.
• Public shareholders contribute to the company’s liquidity and overall market performance.

For more detailed insights into the workings of significant companies like Google, visit whoowns.co.uk.

FAQ

Q1: Who founded Google?
– Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in September 1998.

Q2: What is Alphabet Inc.?
– Alphabet Inc. is the parent company of Google, created during the 2015 corporate restructuring.

Q3: What are Class A, B, and C shares in Alphabet Inc.?
– Class A shares have one vote per share, Class B shares (held by founders) have 10 votes per share, and Class C shares have no voting rights.

Q4: Who are Google’s major institutional investors?
– Some of the major institutional investors include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and Fidelity Investments.

Q5: Can the general public buy shares in Alphabet Inc.?
– Yes, the general public can purchase Class A (GOOGL) or Class C (GOOG) shares through the stock market.

Q6: How do founders maintain control over Google?
– Through the special Class B shares, which provide 10 votes per share, allowing founders to retain significant influence.

For more detailed information on the ownership of Google and other major companies, check out Who Owns The Google and Who Owns. Also, visit Investopedia’s guide on company ownership and Bloomberg’s profile on Alphabet Inc..