Connect with us

Business

6 Entrepreneurs who started business in the Garage or Basement

Published

on

Tech Entrepreneurs who started highly successful business from a Garage or Basement

They say the world can be your oyster if only you take the plunge. But what does it take to be a successful tech entrepreneur? How can you make it big? Well, the one-liner answer or shall I say the mantra is to start small.

Wait, what? Start small, really? Yes, really! Of Course, the initial funding, contacts, exposure, marketing, etc., matters. But nothing and I mean nothing, matters as much as passion, creativity, commitment, consistency, conviction, and courage.

Don’t believe me? So let me share the story of six tech entrepreneurs. They started their companies in restrained spaces like a garage or basement and managed to take them to unprecedented heights.  Their passion gave us some fantastic tech products that we use today and a heady mix of inspiration and motivation. So what if we are starting small, we could also make it big.  

Advertisement
  1. Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne – Apple
  2. Larry Page and Sergey Brin- Google
  3. Bill Gates and Paul Allen – Microsoft
  4. Tim Sweeney – Fortnite/ Epic Games
  5. Michael Dell – Dell
  6. Will Hewlett and Dave Packard –  Hewlett-Packard

Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne – Apple

Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne - Apple

Then – Steve Jobs parents’ garage
Now – Apple Park, Cupertino

In 1976, three dreamers got together in a garage to build the first Apple product, the Apple I computer, for $500. A local retailer soon gave them their first order of 50 computers. The trio hand-built them in 30 days.

Today, the company operates from a swanky, $5 billion office and sells millions of devices, including Macs, iPhones, iPads and more. And even though founding members are not part of the core team now, Apple’s rise from a garage to a $2 Trillion company could only happen because of these visionaries.

Also Read: Business Strategie by Jesse Jhaj

Advertisement

Larry Page and Sergey Brin- Google

Larry Page and Sergey Brin- Google

Then – Susan Wojcicki’s garage
Now – Googleplex, Mountain View, California

Oh yes, the most famous search engine and the most trafficked site in the world was birthed in a garage. Two Stanford University graduates, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin dreamt about a website that will maintain and organize all kinds of information.

They rented a friend, Susan Wojcicki’s garage and worked day and night for months on the project. Years later, Google is the biggest internet giant and Page, and Brin leads the company till 2019. Interestingly, the garage owner Wojcicki currently serves as the CEO of YouTube.

Bill Gates and Paul Allen – Microsoft

Bill Gates and Paul Allen - Microsoft

Then – Small garage in Alburquerque, New Mexico
Now – The Microsoft campus, Redmond, Washington, U.S.

Can you imagine a world where Microsoft Windows did not exist? The two young boys in that garage might have had limited resources at the time, but they had some nifty weapons. Solid knowledge of coding, an idea, and most importantly, the zeal to create something unique.

Advertisement

And though it took them a few years to develop and introduce Windows to the world, the operating system is housed in over 80% of computers worldwide. Microsoft is currently evaluated at around $1 Trillion, and Bill Gates is amongst the top 5 wealthiest people in the world.

Also Read: Determining how much to pay your employee

Tim Sweeney – Fortnite/Epic Games

Tim Sweeney - Fortnite/Epic Games

Then – Parent’s place in Potomac, Maryland
Now – Headquarters in Cary, North Carolina

Sweeney started his coding journey at the age of 9 with an Apple II computer. At the age of 20, he dropped out of the University of Maryland; mind you, he was just one credit shy of graduating.

Advertisement

With $4000 as his initial investment and his parent’s basement as his first office, Sweeney founded Potomac Computer Systems, which later became Epic Games. The company hosts one of the biggest online games, Fortnite, with over 250 million players, and runs Unreal Engine, a platform where other gamers can design and host their games.

Michael Dell – Dell

Michael Dell - Dell

Then – College Dorm, UT Austin
Now – Round Rock, Texas, United States

An entrepreneurial spirit, Dell indulged in side hustles from the age of 12. But it was in his freshman year that he started PCs Limited with $1000 in startup capital. The idea was to build custom computers as per the user/company’s specific needs.

Soon, he managed to sell computers worth $80,000 and moved to a nearby garage as he needed more space. By age 19, Dell dropped out of college to run his company full time. The company was later re-christened as Dell Inc, a $50.2 billion business with over 165,000 employees.   

Advertisement

Will Hewlett and Dave Packard –  Hewlett-Packard

Will Hewlett and Dave Packard -  Hewlett-Packard

Then – Rented garage, Palo Alto, California
Now – Springwoods village campus, Houston Texas

Two electrical engineers from Stanford University, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard became friends during a two-week camping trip. Soon the friendship transitioned into a partnership with $538 as their startup capital in a rented garage.

Interestingly, whether the company should be  Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett was decided by a coin flip. Their first product was a resistance-capacitance audio oscillator. And the Walt Disney Company was their first major client.

As of July 2021, HP’s net worth is $36.21 B. And though HP is currently facing some troubles, the company has soared to great heights in the past.

Advertisement

While the term Entrepreneur traces back to the mid 18th century, it is now that the phenomenon is catching heat. Our world is currently opening up to new possibilities and opportunities, and now is the best time to spread your wings and make it big.

Also Read: How to accept cryptocurrency as payment

These uber-successful tech entrepreneurs had limited capital and space. But they didn’t allow circumstances to clip their wings, and neither should you. I hope their stories have lent you the confidence and push that you needed.  And always remember, you might start small, but things will get bigger and better. So stay put, work harder, smarter, and don’t stop the hustle.

Advertisement

Author Bio:Arshmeet Hora – A self-professed Geek who loves to explore all things Apple. I thoroughly enjoy discovering new hacks, troubleshooting issues, and finding and reviewing the best products and apps currently available at iGeeksblog. My expertise also includes curating opinionated and honest editorials. If not this, you might find me surfing the web or listening to audiobooks.

World

More Trouble For Microsoft, OpenAI: Eight US Newspaper Publishers File Lawsuit For Copyright Infringement

Published

on

More Trouble For Microsoft, OpenAI: Eight US Newspaper Publishers File Lawsuit For Copyright Infringement

Trouble for Microsoft and OpenAI over copyright infringement is not coming to an end, as they face several lawsuits for violating copyrights.

On Tuesday, eight US newspaper publishers sued Microsoft for illegally reusing articles in AI products.

The 98-page long lawsuit further accused the tech companies of attributing erroneous information to the publishers.

Advertisement

The eight newspapers that have filed the lawsuits include the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune.

They allege that OpenAI’s ChatGPT used their copyrighted articles to perfect its language models without permission.

The lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court on Tuesday. The publishers claim that OpenAI’s large language models, GPT-2 and GPT-3, were perfected using datasets containing text from their newspapers.

Advertisement

The language models are designed to produce text based on human inputs and reproduce copies of the publishers’ works. Microsoft has been indicted for using newspapers for its Bing search index but seldom provided links to the original articles. Four months ago, The New York Times also filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the tech giant of using data from its past content. It also asked for consent for usage, criticizing the use of full article excerpts in chatbot responses.

The latest lawsuit filed by the eight news outlets also demanded consent and fair value for using their content to perfect the AI language models. The lawsuit alleged that the AI tools literally regurgitate their content without directing users to the content source.

The lawsuit filings stated, “This lawsuit arises from defendants purloining millions of the publishers’ copyrighted articles without permission and without payment to fuel the commercialization of their generative artificial intelligence products, including ChatGPT and (Microsoft’s) Copilot.”

Advertisement

The eight newspapers that instituted the lawsuits are as follows:

  • The New York Daily News and The Chicago Tribune, both owned by Alden Global Capital
  • The Orlando Sentinel
  • The Sun Sentinel
  • The San Jose Mercury News
  • The Denver Post
  • The Orange County Register
  • The St. Paul Pioneer Press

OpenAI’s Response

OpenAI did not directly respond to the accusations but stated that it takes great care to support the news and media outlets. It also stated it is in continuous partnerships and conversations with various news outlets around the world to explore new opportunities, discuss problems, and seek out solutions.

Microsoft also stated that OpenAI has entered into fruitful partnerships with a number of publishers, which includes The Financial Times, The Associated Press, Spanish conglomerate Prisa Media, and Germany’s Axel Springer.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Net Worth

Alan Patricof Net Worth 2024: How Much is the American Investor Worth?

Published

on

Alan Patricof Net Worth 2024: How Much is the American Investor Worth?

Who is Alan Patricof?

Alan Patricof is a prominent figure in the American investment landscape, renowned for his contributions to venture capital. With a career spanning over four decades, Patricof has been instrumental in shaping the growth of numerous global companies, including America Online, Apple Computer, and Audible. His legacy extends beyond business, with involvement in community organizations and government initiatives.

Alan Patricof Career

Alan Patricof’s career in venture capital began in the industry’s early days. He founded Patricof & Co. Ventures Inc., a precursor to Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity firms. Later, he established Greycroft Partners, focusing on early and expansion-stage investments in digital media. Throughout his career, Patricof’s vision and leadership have played a pivotal role in advancing the venture capital field.

Alan Patricof’s Net Worth

As of May 3, 2024, Alan Patricof’s estimated net worth stands at over $1 million. His wealth is derived from various investments, including holdings in Boston Properties Inc. and successful ventures in digital media. Despite humble beginnings, Patricof’s entrepreneurial spirit and strategic acumen have propelled him to financial success.

Advertisement

Alan Patricof Age

Born in 1934, Alan Patricof is currently in his late eighties. Despite his advanced age, he remains active in the business world, leveraging his wealth of experience to mentor emerging entrepreneurs and drive innovation.

Alan Patricof Family: Wife and Children

Alan Patricof has been married to his wife Susan for over 48 years. Together, they have three children and seven grandchildren. Family holds great importance to Patricof, and he credits his upbringing and heritage for shaping his values and work ethic.

Alan Patricof Height and Weight

While specific details about Alan Patricof’s height and weight are not readily available, his stature in the investment community is undeniable. Patricof’s impact transcends physical measurements, as he continues to leave a lasting legacy in venture capital and philanthropy.

Advertisement

Also Read: Mike Markkula Net Worth 2024: How Much is the Former CEO of Apple Worth?

Continue Reading

Net Worth

Stephen M. Ross Net Worth 2024: How Much is the Chairperson of The Related Companies Worth?

Published

on

Stephen M. Ross Net Worth 2024: How Much is the Chairperson of The Related Companies Worth?

Who is Stephen M. Ross?

Stephen M. Ross, the Chairperson of The Related Companies, is a distinguished figure in the real estate sector, renowned for his significant contributions and profound impact. Born on May 10th, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Ross embarked on his journey into real estate at a young age, demonstrating remarkable diligence and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite initially pursuing a career as a tax attorney, Ross soon discovered his genuine passion for real estate investment, laying the foundation for his illustrious career.

Stephen M. Ross Career

Ross’s career trajectory is marked by pioneering ventures and transformative projects. In 1972, he founded The Related Companies, which initially focused on subsidized low and moderate-income apartments. Over the years, Ross transitioned to higher-profile projects, including the iconic Hudson Yards development, valued at over $7 billion. His visionary approach and strategic partnerships have cemented his reputation as a prominent figure within the real estate industry.

Stephen M. Ross Net Worth

As of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Stephen M. Ross’s net worth stands at an impressive $10 billion, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest individuals globally. Ross’s wealth accumulation is attributed to his unparalleled success as a real estate mogul, with an estimated annual income of nearly $700 million derived from royalties on his diverse property holdings. His continued involvement in the real estate sector, with ongoing projects in New Jersey and Florida, further contributes to his substantial net worth.

Advertisement

Stephen M. Ross Age

Currently, Stephen M. Ross is 83 years old, born on May 10th, 1940. Despite his age, Ross remains actively engaged in his professional pursuits, demonstrating resilience and dedication to his craft.

Stephen M. Ross Family: Wife and Children

Ross’s personal life is characterized by familial bonds and enduring relationships. He is happily married to Kara Ross and is the proud father of four children. Ross’s commitment to family values underscores his holistic approach to life and business.

Stephen M. Ross Height and Weight

Physically, Stephen M. Ross stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) and maintains a healthy body weight of around 72 kg. Despite his busy schedule, Ross prioritizes his health and well-being, engaging in activities such as volleyball and tennis.

Advertisement

Also Read: Dave Ramsey Net Worth 2024: How Much is American Radio Personality Worth?

Continue Reading

Trending

This will close in 5 seconds