Apple Inc. has long been renowned for its innovation and cutting-edge contributions to technology. In the fifty years since its founding, Apple has gone from an obscure niche brand to one of the most well-known companies in the world. Throughout its history, Apple has acquired over 100 companies, some of which became core aspects of Apple’s brand. Since its inception, Apple has become nothing short of a cultural and economic phenomenon. This chart, which was created by the team at The Chartistry, takes a look at who founded Apple, the companies Apple owns, the many products they’ve created and sold throughout the years, and Apple’s largest stock holders.

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A Brief History of Apple

Before it was the tech giant we know today, Apple had surprisingly humble roots. Apple Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in Los Altos, California. As is legend at this point, the company was started in Jobs’ garage. There, the founders aimed to develop and sell personal computers, with a vision of changing the way the average person viewed home PCs. Their first product, the Apple I, laid the groundwork for future innovations, but it wasn’t until the Apple II’s release that they made a name for themselves with revolutionary color graphics.

After two decades competing with Microsoft in the home computer space, Apple became an unprecedented market leader in the portable MP3 space with the launch of the iPod in 2001. However, it was the creation of the iPhone in 2007 that truly elevated Apple to the great name we know today. Touted as one of the world’s most successful products, the iPhone’s many versions have sold billions of units, and allowed Apple Inc. to become the first company valued at one trillion dollars in 2018. Just two years later, it doubled that figure. Since the historic iPhone launch, Apple has released many new products to various success and increased their reach around the world through their profitable innovations and various company acquisitions.

What Companies Does Apple Own?

Since its beginnings as a home computer manufacturer, Apple has dramatically changed its operations to include a variety of products and services. Apple has acquired approximately 125 companies over its lifetime, many of which are still in operation today. Many of these were smaller companies that Apple incorporated into their products, such as FaceID being created from PrimeSense. PrimeSence was  acquired by Apple in 2013.

In 2022, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook claimed Apple had acquired more than 100 companies over the preceding six years alone. Apple subsidiaries are only expected to increase as the brand continues its upward trajectory, though it’s important to note that their acquisition rate has slowed recently with the cooling of the investment in the tech sector since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, Apple’s largest acquisition has been Beats at $3 Billion, followed by Intel at $1 Billion.

Apple’s Product Range

Currently, Apple Inc. has five main products: Macs, iPhones, iPads, accessories and services. Over the years, the company has shifted their primary focus from the home computer space in favor of the mobile device market, which has proven to be more lucrative. Though Apple has rarely been the first to introduce a product of its kind to the market, they have a history of redefining the market with their innovations to the field.

Mac

Personal computers have been the foundation of Apple’s product lineup since the beginning with Mac taking the mantle in 1979. Though they still compete with Microsoft in this space, Apple’s M1 and M2 chips have set new standards in the computing industry.

iPhone

In the era of flip phones and BlackBerry, the iPhone revolutionized the mobile phone industry and made smart phones the new global standard. Since then, each new generation of iPhone has introduced significant advancements in camera technology, processing power, and software features, solidifying its status as a market leader.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch was introduced in 2014 and has quickly become the world’s most popular smartwatch. Combining fitness tracking, health monitoring, and communication features in a sleek, customizable design, it’s carved out a space as a health device as well as a smartphone accessory.

iCloud

iCloud, launched in 2011, is Apple’s cloud storage and computing service, which allows users to store data such as photos, documents, and music, and sync them across all their Apple devices. iCloud has become an integral part of the Apple ecosystem, ensuring seamless data management and providing services like iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, and iCloud Backup.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay, introduced in 2014, is Apple’s mobile payment and digital wallet service. Thanks to its secure, contactless payments, integrated with the iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices, it has become a popular choice for digital transactions worldwide.

Who Owns Apple?

Apple’s stock market performance has been nothing short of remarkable. Since it first hit $1 trillion with the launch of the iPod, Apple’s continuous releases, innovations, and success have ranked it among the most valuable companies in the world. The company’s commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks further enhances its attractiveness as an investment.

As of January 2024, The Vanguard Group holds the largest percentage of Apple shares at 8.54%. Arthur Levinson, Chairman of the Board, takes the prize for individual shareholders, holding more than 4.5 million shares.

Apple Inc. is a cultural and financial juggernaut that continues to shape the modern world through its creative and strategic vision. From its humble beginnings in a garage to its status as a trillion-dollar company, Apple’s journey is a testament to its ability to adapt and lead. For investors and technology enthusiasts alike, Apple is a fascinating case study in the power of innovation and business strategy. Check out our business visualizations for more on topics like Apple, or take a look at all of the data visualizations on The Chartistry.

List of Companies Apple Owns

• Beats Electronics
• Intel Smartphone Modem Business (include S.M.D. under Intel logo)
• Dialog Semiconductor
• Anobit Technologies
• Texture
• Shazam
• NeXT
• PrimeSense
• AuthenTec
• PA Semi
• Beddit
• Braeburn Capital
• Claris
• Siri
• Mobeewave

Apple Products

Who Owns Apple?