When it comes to tech, the world is a small place. That’s because companies from all corners of the globe love working together as much as they love competing against each other. The result? A thriving tech ecosystem that rakes in billions of dollars annually.
To understand where this growth is coming from and how much further it will go, we’ve compiled a list of the top 11 tech companies in the world. These top-notch companies are spearheading innovation for various industries, pushing boundaries and creating new breakthroughs at an alarming pace.
Companies may be as much about the people behind them as the products they create. That’s why, in addition to a company’s technological innovations, it’s important to also look at all of the non-tech companies with which it operates.
Tech companies typically thrive in metropolitan areas where other professionals and businesses do too. They help foster innovation by drawing in new ideas and talent from outside of their sector. It’s no surprise then that there are so many tech companies located within cities around the world. Here, we take a look at 11 of the top tech companies in the world today.
1. Alphabet Inc. (Google, Nest, Waymo)
In a world where many people rely on smartphones and other internet-connected devices to get by, it’s no surprise that Alphabet Inc. (Google, Nest, Waymo) is a top tech company.
Aside from its many consumer-facing products, Alphabet also owns Google and Nest, two major areas of tech-focused businesses. In fact, Alphabet is one of the few companies in the world that owns multiple major businesses.
Google is Alphabet’s most famous brand. Founded in the early 1990s, Google revolutionized the internet with its search engine. But that was only one of the many ways in which it pushed the boundaries of technology. Google’s Chrome Web Store allows it to partner and distribute its browser, Gmail, and other products to millions of unsuspecting users.
2. Apple Inc.
Apple Inc. is a top tech company for the same reasons that it’s a top tech company: because it makes some of the most innovative technology products in the world. Founded in 1976, Apple’s technology has been revolutionized and made accessible by numerous innovations.
For example, Apple revolutionized the way we consume content by creating popular mobile devices. It also revolutionized the way we pay for content by creating the world’s most popular payment system, Apple Pay. Apple’s products are also some of the most expensive in the world.
That’s because they’re produced with the utmost care and attention to detail. That attention to detail has also led to numerous product recalls. The company’s prices, along with its attention to detail and quality, have led to its reputation as one of the most expensive companies in the world.
3. Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation is a top tech company thanks to its numerous software products, particularly its Windows operating system and Office suite.
It’s also a top tech company thanks to its collaboration with other major tech companies, particularly Google. Microsoft has extensively collaborated with Google on the development of its Android operating system, which powers countless Android phones around the world.
Microsoft is also a top tech company thanks to its many firsts in the world of technology. That includes the first computer mouse and the first computer-generated art. Many of Microsoft’s most famous products were launched in the late 1990s, including Windows 95 and Windows 98.
As the tech industry continued to evolve, Microsoft’s products and services also continued to evolve. Today, many of its products and services, including the Xbox One and Microsoft Office, are updated and re-launched annually.
4. Facebook Inc.
Another top tech company is Facebook Inc. This is perhaps not so surprising, given that Facebook has revolutionized our relationship with technology. People used to have to wait in line at Book Depository to purchase a CD or DVD in order to view some of the world’s best musicians and artists live.
With Facebook, people no longer have to wait in line to purchase tickets to see the world’s best musicians and artists live. They can do so virtually, instantly, and for free.
Facebook’s other huge innovation has been in communicating with friends and family. It’s become a hub for news and information, an easy way to plan events and vacations, and a place for people to share photos and videos.
5. Amazon Web Services LLC.
Amazon Web Services LLC. is a top tech company thanks to its cloud computing services. That’s a fancy way of describing Amazon’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) and other digital products that run in the cloud.
This is an especially popular technology for many businesses, who prefer to outsource their tech operations to a single, trusted provider, rather than manage them in-house. Amazon Web Services is also a top tech company thanks to the numerous innovations that have been made possible by its technology.
For example, Amazon’s cloud computing services have been used to power a number of popular innovations, including the internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI).
6. Baidu, Inc.
Baidu Inc. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in China’s internet search market. That’s a huge market for major tech companies, given that more than half of China’s internet users use search engines to help them find information.
Baidu is also a top tech company thanks to its many innovations, the most prominent of which is its AI system. Baidu’s AI system has been used to power numerous popular innovations, including voice search.
7. Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the Chinese e-commerce market. That’s especially surprising, given that the Chinese e-commerce market is a huge market for major tech companies.
The Chinese e-commerce market is especially surprising, given that the Chinese e-commerce market is a huge market for major tech companies. Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the Chinese e-commerce market.
That’s especially surprising, given that the Chinese e-commerce market is a huge market for major tech companies.
8. Cisco Systems, Inc.
Cisco Systems, Inc. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the networking market. This is especially surprising, given that the networking market is a huge market for major tech companies.
The networking market is especially surprising, given that the networking market is a huge market for major tech companies. Cisco Systems, Inc. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the networking market. This is especially surprising, given that the networking market is a huge market for major tech companies.
9. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the technology market. This is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies.
The market is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the technology market. This is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies.
10 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the telecom market. This is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies.
The market is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the telecom market. This is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies.
11. Tencent Holdings Limited
Tencent Holdings Limited is a top tech company thanks to its leading position in the Chinese social media market. This is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies.
The market is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies. Tencent Holdings Limited is a top tech company thanks on its leading position in the Chinese social media market. This is especially surprising, given that the market is a huge market for major tech companies.
