Bill Gates founded Microsoft, with Paul Allen which is now the largest software business. But how did he become one of the world’s richest entrepreneurs?
Before Microsoft
Bill gates grew up in a upper middle class family, by the age of 12 his parents where worried about his behaviour. He was doing well in his education, however he seemed bored and withdrawn from work. In 1973 Gates went on to enrol in Harvard choosing a pre-law major but took mathematics and graduate level computer science courses law, hoping to become a lawyer. However after meeting Paul Allen to his parents disappointment he dropped our of Harvard in 1975.
Creating Microsoft
Gates met Allen, who was two years older, at Lakeside high School . Allen and Gates spent much of their free time together working on programs. In 1975 they created “Micro-soft” which was a blend of “micro-computer” and “software”. Their first product was a basic software that ran on the Altair computer. By 1975 the companies name was now “Microsoft” and had 25 employees and was grossing $2.5 million. Bill was only 23. By 1983 Microsoft was estimated to be running on 30% of the worlds computers. Two years later Windows was invented which ballooned Microsoft’s IPO and he became a billionaire in 1987 at age 31.
Being A Billionaire
Gates was the richest man alive for years after being awarded the title, until Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) overtook him. He currently has a net-worth of $107.1 billion. Bill gates uses his billions to support 13 different charities, while foundling his own. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was founded in 2000, Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. Gates and his wife has put $36 billion into the foundation.
Bill continues to support and inspire people all around the world, teaching many not to give up and trusting your instinct. If it wasn’t for dropping out of Harvard he wouldn’t be one of the top 5 richest men, while giving back to charities. Click here to read last months inspiring quotes by entrepreneurs.