Companies Encyclopedia Entry 1779820145
Economics & Business

Companies Encyclopedia Entry 1779820145

Max Fortune
Economics & Business Editor
1 views 4 min read Jun 4, 2026

Companies Encyclopedia Entry 1779820145

Company Name: Meta Platforms, Inc.
Formerly Known As: Facebook, Inc.
Type: Technology, Social Media
Date: Incorporated on July 16, 2012
Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
Known For: Developing and operating the world's largest social media platform, Facebook.

SUMMARY: Meta Platforms, Inc. is a multinational technology and social media conglomerate that operates several popular platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company's mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.

Overview

Meta Platforms, Inc. is one of the world's largest and most influential technology companies. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his college roommates and fellow Harvard University students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, the company initially focused on developing a social networking platform for college students. The platform, later renamed Facebook, quickly gained popularity and expanded beyond college campuses to become a global phenomenon.

In 2012, Facebook, Inc. rebranded itself as Meta Platforms, Inc. to reflect its growing portfolio of products and services. The company's name change was seen as a strategic move to position itself as a leading player in the emerging field of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. Today, Meta Platforms, Inc. operates several popular platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR.

History/Background

Meta Platforms, Inc. has a rich and complex history that spans over two decades. Here are some key milestones:

* 2004: Mark Zuckerberg, along with his college roommates, launches a social networking platform called "Thefacebook" at Harvard University.
* 2005: The platform expands beyond college campuses to become a global phenomenon, with over 100 million users.
* 2012: Facebook, Inc. rebrands itself as Meta Platforms, Inc. to reflect its growing portfolio of products and services.
* 2014: Meta Platforms, Inc. acquires WhatsApp, a popular messaging app, for $19 billion.
* 2019: Meta Platforms, Inc. acquires Instagram, a popular photo and video sharing platform, for $1 billion.
* 2021: Meta Platforms, Inc. rebrands its corporate identity to focus on the metaverse, a shared, immersive and interactive virtual reality space.

Key Information

Here are some key facts and achievements about Meta Platforms, Inc.:

* User Base: Meta Platforms, Inc. has over 3.5 billion monthly active users across its platforms.
* Revenue: The company generates over $85 billion in annual revenue, making it one of the largest technology companies in the world.
* Market Capitalization: Meta Platforms, Inc.'s market capitalization is over $1 trillion, making it one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world.
* Products and Services: The company operates several popular platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR.
* Research and Development: Meta Platforms, Inc. invests heavily in research and development, with a focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality.

Significance

Meta Platforms, Inc. is a significant player in the technology and social media industries. The company's platforms have had a profound impact on the way people communicate, interact, and share information. Here are some reasons why Meta Platforms, Inc. matters:

* Global Reach: Meta Platforms, Inc.'s platforms have a global reach, with users from over 200 countries and territories.
* Influence: The company's platforms have a significant influence on popular culture, with many users relying on them for news, entertainment, and social interaction.
* Economic Impact: Meta Platforms, Inc.'s revenue and market capitalization have a significant impact on the global economy, with the company's stock price influencing the broader technology sector.
* Innovation: The company's focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality has the potential to drive innovation and create new opportunities for businesses and individuals.

INFOBOX:

- Name: Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Type: Technology, Social Media
- Date: Incorporated on July 16, 2012
- Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
- Known For: Developing and operating the world's largest social media platform, Facebook.

TAGS: Meta Platforms, Inc., Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus VR, Social Media, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Virtual Reality, Emerging Technologies.