Microsoft founders: Bill Gates and Paul Allen started the company in 1975
The Microsoft founders are Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who formed the company on 4 April 1975 in Albuquerque. Here is who founded Microsoft, why it started there and what happened to each founder.
The Microsoft founders are Bill Gates and Paul Allen, childhood friends who formed the company on 4 April 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They started it to write software for the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers, and first called it Micro-Soft. Allen died in 2018; Gates is still alive and no longer runs the company. 12
Who is the Microsoft founder?
When people search “Microsoft founder” or “founder Microsoft”, the answer is two people, not one. History.com records that Gates and Allen founded the company on 4 April 1975, after reading about the Altair 8800 in Popular Electronics and writing a version of the BASIC language for it. Allen contacted the Altair’s maker, MITS, in Albuquerque, which is why the pair moved there. 13
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founders | Bill Gates and Paul Allen |
| Founded | 4 April 1975 |
| Place | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Original name | Micro-Soft, a name credited to Allen |
| Moved to Washington state | 1979 |
| Incorporated | 1981, with Gates as president and chairman |
Why Microsoft started in Albuquerque
The city was home to MITS, the maker of the Altair 8800, which was Microsoft’s first customer. Albuquerque was a poor place to hire engineers, so Gates and Allen moved the business back to Washington state in 1979, according to Neowin. 2
What happened to the Microsoft founders
- Paul Allen: stepped back from day-to-day work in 1983 after a health diagnosis but stayed on the board, Fox Business reported. He died in 2018.
- Bill Gates: led Microsoft as CEO until 2000, when Steve Ballmer took over. He later turned to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He holds only a small share of the company today. See the Bill Gates profile.
- Steve Ballmer: not a founder. He joined in 1980, was CEO from 2000 to 2014 and is now the largest individual shareholder. See the Steve Ballmer profile. 456
Who runs Microsoft now?
Satya Nadella has been CEO since February 2014 and chairman since June 2021. The founders no longer control the company, which is owned by public shareholders led by Vanguard and BlackRock. Our report on who is the owner of Microsoft has the latest figures. 7
What happens next
Microsoft marked its 51st anniversary in April 2026 and remains one of the world’s largest companies. For its products, leaders and history, see our Microsoft company page.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Microsoft?
Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who formed the company on 4 April 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
How many founders does Microsoft have?
Two people: Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Steve Ballmer joined in 1980 and later became CEO, but he is not a founder.
Are the Microsoft founders still alive?
Paul Allen died in 2018. Bill Gates is alive and left the CEO role in 2000.
Why was Microsoft founded in Albuquerque?
The Altair 8800 maker, MITS, was based in Albuquerque, and Gates and Allen wanted to sell it software.
