Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, celebrated 22 years since its IPO this week, now valued at about $1.9 trillion. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin as a search engine named after the term “googol,” the company has expanded far beyond its original scope. Alphabet ranks No. 1 on Fortune’s 2026 Most Innovative Companies list, with a market capitalization second only to one other global giant, according to fortune.com.
Larry Page and Sergey Brin envisioned Google’s potential for astronomical growth from the start. Page, who served as CEO of Google and later Alphabet until 2019, remains a board member and major shareholder. Sergey Brin, increasingly involved in Alphabet’s AI initiatives, shares control of the company with Page. The founders’ combined net worths are approximately $295 billion and $274 billion respectively, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Apple cofounder Steve Jobs offered early advice to Page that proved insightful for the company’s trajectory, as noted by fortune.com.
Alphabet’s business is divided into four main segments, including Search and YouTube, cloud computing, autonomous driving through Waymo, and AI research via DeepMind. This diversification has helped Alphabet maintain its leading position in technology innovation. The company’s valuation and influence underscore its role in shaping the digital economy, with its founders playing key roles in steering its strategic direction, according to fortune.com.
Alphabet’s 22nd anniversary of its IPO highlights its evolution from a search engine to a technology conglomerate valued at nearly $2 trillion. Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s continued involvement ensures the company’s influence in AI and other emerging technologies remains significant, as reported by fortune.com.