Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has admitted that a strategic mistake during his leadership cost the company a fortune of $400 billion. What was this mistake, and how did it pave the way for competitors to dominate a crucial market?
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has opened up about one of the most bitter moments of his business career: the mistake that cost his company around US $ 400 billion. The revelation was made during an event held by venture capital firm Village Global, where Gates discussed business and the challenges facing the technology sector.
Founded in 1975 by Gates and his childhood friend Paul Allen, Microsoft grew rapidly, achieving its first million dollars in sales in just four years. By 1986, it was a public company, solidifying its position in the market.
The technology giant is currently valued at around three trillion dollars, making it one of the most valuable corporations in the world. world.
- Item that replaces air conditioning uses five (5) times less energy and leaves consumers excited
- Lack of workforce will hit Brazil if economy does not slow down, says expert
- State may gain new 110 km highway! Project is valued at almost R$400 million
- The man who lost $800 million worth of bitcoins accidentally dumped in a landfill now plans to buy the site to try to recover the lost hard drive
Despite all this success, Gates stated that the strategic error involving the smartphone operating system market was one of the biggest failures of his career. “The biggest mistake of all time was the mismanagement I practiced, which made Microsoft not what Android is today.”, admitted the 69-year-old businessman.
The race for the mobile market
The turning point of the failure occurred when technology companies began to compete for second place in the mobile device market, after Apple established iOS as the benchmark. Gates explained that the platform industry is characterized by a model where the “winner takes all".
For him, Microsoft was well positioned to take on the role that Android currently plays, but the company failed to seize the opportunity.
"There's room for exactly one non-Apple operating system, and how much is that worth? $400 billion that would be transferred from Google to Microsoft”, he lamented. This estimate is based on the revenue and dominance that Android has achieved in the global market.
Microsoft's fatal delay
Apple's iPhone was launched in 2007, marking the beginning of a new technological era. Shortly after, in 2008, Android arrived on the market, positioning itself as the main alternative to iOS.
Meanwhile, Microsoft took two more years to launch Windows Phone 7 in October 2010. When it finally entered the game, the space was already almost entirely occupied.
Market data shows that, within a short period of time, Apple and Android controlled 99,9% of the global market share. Windows Phone failed to gain significant relevance and was discontinued a few years later.
The late attempt to recover lost ground was insufficient to compete with the already established giants.
“We are still leaders”
Despite the billion-dollar setback, Bill Gates stressed that Microsoft remains a leader in several areas. However, he acknowledges that the failure in the mobile device market was a significant blow.
"If we had taken second place on mobile, we would be a company”, he said. Even so, the tone of his speech suggested that he had already accepted what had happened. “But it’s okay”, he said, in a tone of resignation.
Today, Bill Gates focuses much of his attention on philanthropy through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. With an estimated fortune of $158 billion, he dedicates himself to social and humanitarian causes, maintaining his influence on the global stage.
While Microsoft lost that particular battle, the company remains strong in other sectors, such as cloud services, artificial intelligence and enterprise software.
But what is clear is that even the biggest names in technology can make mistakes, and there is not always a way to go back and correct them.
Bill Gates' nuclear power company announces progress
In addition to reflecting on past mistakes, Bill Gates continues to invest in projects that can shape the future of humanity.
One of the most promising examples is the Terra Power, its innovation-focused company in the nuclear sector, which recently announced significant advances in the development of the Natrium reactor.
This reactor, a pioneer in the United States, uses sodium-based cooling technology and promises to revolutionize the generation of clean and efficient energy.
Another important milestone has been achieved with the issuance of critical contracts for the construction of the Reactor Casing System (RES), in addition to agreements for the supply of high-quality uranium to supply the plant.
Among the main partners selected to contribute to the project is the Spanish company Ensa, which assumed responsibility for manufacturing the reactor head.
This component is essential for the safety and efficient operation of the Natrium system, which combines 345 MW of power generation with an innovative salt-based thermal storage system.
This technology will allow production to reach peaks of 500 MW, providing additional energy during times of high demand and ensuring stability in the electrical grid.
In addition to Ensa, other global suppliers have also been chosen to deliver key components. Doosan Enerbility of South Korea will be responsible for the central barrel and other critical structural supports.
HD Hyundai will manufacture the reactor vessel, and Canadian company Marmen will supply the rotating plug, an essential part for the system to function.
These advancements reflect TerraPower’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions, while highlighting the role of international collaboration in developing advanced technologies.
“Portable” energy, a way forward. Russia has its own floating nuclear power plant. JoseJosé
Meanwhile, here in Brazil, we continue ARGUING in churches waiting for magical and miraculous “solutions”!