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| Photo of Bill Gates |
Discover what companies Bill Gates owns or invests in—from Microsoft and Cascade Investment holdings to green startups—revealing his diverse business empire.
More Than Just Microsoft
Think Bill Gates is only associated with Microsoft? Think again. While he co-founded the tech giant, Gates’ business interests span a wide array of industries—from transportation and hospitality to sustainable energy and carbon capture. This blog takes you through what companies Bill Gates owns (or has major stakes in), showing how his investments reflect his personal values—and global vision.
Cascade Investment: The Engine Behind His Portfolio
Most of Bill Gates’ business ownership flows through Cascade Investment, LLC, a private holding company he founded in 1995. Cascade manages over $40 billion in assets across multiple sectors, shaping much of Gates’ influence beyond Microsoft.
Notable Cascade Investments:
- Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts – Cascade holds over 70% ownership, making Gates a major player in luxury hospitality.
- Ecolab – Gates is the largest individual shareholder, owning over 20%, positioning himself in clean water and hygiene tech.
- Canadian National Railway – Cascade once held over 14%; Gates remains a significant shareholder despite partial divestments.
Companies Under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Portfolio
Beyond Cascade, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust owns stakes in multiple companies reading as a who's-who of infrastructure and logistics. Key holdings include:
- Microsoft – The second-largest holding, representing a substantial personal and institutional interest.
- Berkshire Hathaway – A sizable financial stake that ties Gates to Warren Buffett’s diversified empire.
- Waste Management, Inc. – A top holding in the waste and sustainability space.
- Caterpillar, John Deere, Ecolab, FedEx, Walmart, UPS, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Coupang, and many others—demonstrating a broad and strategic investment spread.
Ventures in Climate, Energy, and Innovation
Gates’ portfolio also reflects his passion for innovation and climate action:
- TerraPower – A nuclear reactor design company founded by Gates, developing next-gen nuclear solutions.
- Breakthrough Energy – A clean energy investment fund backing high-risk, long-horizon climate tech startups.
- Graphyte – A recent venture focused on biomass carbon removal and storage to pull CO₂ from the atmosphere.
- EarthNow – A satellite video startup aiming to provide live Earth monitoring via satellite, supported by Gates.
Quick Summary Table
| Company/Entity | Nature of Ownership |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | Co-founder, retains ~1–3% stake |
| Cascade Investment Holdings | Private ownership of multiple firms |
| Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Significant institutional holdings |
| TerraPower | Founder—next-gen nuclear energy |
| Breakthrough Energy | Founder—climate tech investment |
| Graphyte & EarthNow | Founder/backer—carbon capture, satellite startups |
Why This Matters
Bill Gates’ business portfolio is not random—it’s a blend of wealth, influence, and purpose. Each company or fund he backs ties to broader goals: clean energy, global infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. Taken together, they show how business can be leveraged to tackle global challenges.
Explore, Understand, Act
Now you know what companies Bill Gates owns or invests in, from global giants like Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway to forward-looking enterprises like TerraPower and Graphyte. His diverse holdings demonstrate a powerful mix of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and innovation.
To explore more about Gates’ ventures or invest yourself in sustainable innovation, visit the Breakthrough Energy official site or the TerraPower website. Start exploring—because investing wisely isn't just about profit—it's about purpose.
