The significance of 1986 in Microsoft's history is monumental, marking the year the tech giant went public, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for its remarkable growth journey. Since its IPO, Microsoft has evolved from a company primarily focused on software for personal computers to a diversified tech leader with significant stakes in hardware, gaming, and cloud computing.

Key Milestones and Growth Since 1986:

1. Product Diversification: Microsoft's product portfolio has expanded well beyond its original Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite. The company now boasts a range of successful products, including Azure (its cloud computing service), Xbox (gaming console), and Surface (line of laptops and tablets).
2. Financial Growth: From a modest annual revenue of $197 million in its early days, Microsoft's revenue skyrocketed to $198 billion by fiscal 2022. This growth, however, hasn't been without challenges, including periods of slower growth during economic downturns like the 2009 financial crisis.
3. Strategic Acquisitions and Investments: Microsoft's growth strategy has included significant acquisitions, such as LinkedIn and GitHub, and a proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, although the latter faces regulatory scrutiny.
4. Dividend Payouts: Since 2003, Microsoft has been paying dividends, adding an income component to its growth story and benefiting long-term investors.

The Long-Term Investment Case:

Investing in Microsoft at its IPO would have yielded astounding returns. An initial $1,000 investment would have grown exponentially, thanks to stock splits and the company's sustained growth in stock value, not to mention the substantial dividends paid over the years.

List Of Billionaires

•       Bill Gates: Co-founder of Microsoft. Net worth: $116.7 Billion

        •       Paul Allen: Co-founder of Microsoft. Net worth: $20.3 Billion

        •       Steve Ballmer: Former CEO of Microsoft and led the company from 2000 to 2014. He joined Microsoft in 1980 as employee No. 30. Net worth: $111.8 Billion

        •       Charles Simonyi: Joined Microsoft in 1981 as employee No. 40 and spent two decades in application development. He is the man behind some of the company's most successful software, including Word and Excel. Net worth: $5.2 Billion

        •       Markus Persson: After selling his game company, Mojang which produced Minecraft to Microsoft for $2.5 billion he became a billionaire. Net worth: $1.3 Billion

        •       Chris Wanstrath: Co-founder of Github. After Microsoft purchasing Github for $7.5 Billion, Chris who was the largest shareholder of Github became a billionaire. Net worth: $2 Billion

        •       Tom Preston-Werner: Co-founder of Github. After Microsoft purchasing Github for $7.5 Billion, Tom became a billionaire. Net worth: $1.8 Billion

        •       P. J. Hyett: Co-founder of Github. After Microsoft purchasing Github for $7.5 Billion, Hyett became a billionaire. Net worth: $1 Billion
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