Mega Money Makers
Money talks, and these companies have plenty to say. The world's business scenario is dominated by a handful of corporations that shape everything around us. Swipe and test your knowledge.
Tech Titan
This company started as an online bookstore in a garage but grew to become the world's largest online retailer and cloud computing provider.
The Answer
Amazon. Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, it expanded from a virtual bookstore to a trillion-dollar empire offering cloud computing, streaming services, and grocery delivery. Its AWS division powers nearly a third of the internet, with the company employing over 1.5 million people globally.
Dominating Petroleum
The world's largest oil producer and most profitable company in history hails from Saudi Arabia and controls roughly 17% of global petroleum reserves.
WhisperToMe, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Saudi Aramco. The oil giant went public in 2019 with history's largest IPO, valued at $1.7 trillion. It controls approximately 17% of the world's proven petroleum reserves and produces 10 million barrels daily. The Saudi government maintains majority ownership of this energy behemoth.
Ali Lajami, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
German Software
This German multinational is the largest non-American software company, which enhances enterprise solutions with its flagship ERP systems used by customers worldwide.
What is SAP? System Application & Products in Data Processing, SAP is ERP Software. by SKILS
The Answer
SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing). This is a leading enterprise software company that provides solutions for various business functions. For example, financial management, supply chain management, and human resources.
SAP-Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing by LPInbound Polibatam
Retail Champion
From a single store in Arkansas to over 10,500 locations worldwide with 2.3+ million employees, name this retail establishment that tops global revenue charts.
The Answer
Walmart. Founded by Sam Walton in 1962, it remains the world's largest company by revenue, with annual sales exceeding $600 billion. Walmart started as a single store called Wal-Mart Discount City and expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions.
Walmart Corporate from Bentonville, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tech Innovator
Name the revolutionary tech company that transformed from making Macintosh computers to creating industry-changing products.
The Answer
Apple. It first touched a $3 trillion market cap in 2022 and revolutionized mobile technology with over 2 billion iPhones sold worldwide. Its ecosystem includes Apple Pay, iCloud, and the App Store, which generate huge revenue.
E-Commerce Leader
Which Chinese tech agency hosts the world's largest shopping event, Singles' Day, generating more sales in 24 hours than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined?
Ben Briones for the Philippine News Agency, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Alibaba. Jack Ma established it in 1999. The company dominates Asian e-commerce. Its famous Singles' Day event in 2020 generated around $74.1 billion in sales. Alibaba’s platforms include Taobao, Tmall, and AliExpress, serving customers worldwide.
Automotive Powerhouse
Once mocked for its electric vehicles, this company became the world's most valuable automaker in 2020 despite producing fewer cars than traditional manufacturers.
Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Tesla. Led by Elon Musk, Tesla altered the automotive industry with its electric automobiles and renewable energy goods. In 2021, its market value exceeded $1 trillion, outpacing all other automakers. The company also produces battery storage systems and solar panels.
Social Media Giant
Starting in a college dorm room, this brand grew to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp, connecting billions of people and changing how we share information worldwide.
The Answer
Meta (formerly Facebook). The company rebranded in 2021 to reflect its focus on developing the metaverse. Mark Zuckerberg founded it in 2004. It invented social networking and has about 3 billion monthly active users across its platforms.
Cloud Computing
Which Seattle-based tech house leads cloud computing with Azure while maintaining dominance in operating systems and business productivity software?
The Answer
Microsoft. This one went from a software company to a cloud powerhouse worth over $2 trillion with diversified revenue across gaming and hardware. Its Windows operating system still powers approximately 70% of the world's desktop computers.
Semiconductor Leader
This Taiwan-based company manufactures the world's most advanced microchips, producing components for Apple, AMD, and NVIDIA that power our smartphones and computers.
Binarysequence, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). Producing 13-15 million 12-inch equivalent wafers annually, it controls around 50% of the global semiconductor foundry sector. Its advanced manufacturing processes are considered to be ahead of competitors.
Entertainment World
From a small animation studio to owning Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and ESPN, this entertainment corporation has built one of the world's most recognizable brand portfolios.
tom.arthur, CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Walt Disney Company. Disney was started in 1923 by Walt and Roy Disney. Since then, it’s become an entertainment giant. It has theme parks on three continents, and its film studios have produced over 120 movies that have won Academy Awards.
Telecommunications Center
With operations in 170 countries, this Chinese company became the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer despite facing bans in several Western nations.
N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Huawei. It rose from a small rural enterprise to a global tech platform. Ren Zhengfei set up the brand in 1987. In spite of the security concerns and sanctions, Huawei remains a leader in 5G technology and smartphone manufacturing.
HoweyYuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Insurance Behemoth
Which American insurance company topped Fortune's list multiple times, manages over $1 trillion in assets, and is famously led by this man (the world's wealthiest investors)?
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
The Answer
Berkshire Hathaway. Originally a textile company before Warren Buffett took control in 1965, it is now a grand conglomerate. It owns GEICO and Duracell and also has significant stakes in Coca-Cola, Apple, and American Express, with numerous employers.
Healthcare Classic
Name the American healthcare firm that produces pharmaceuticals and medical devices and everything from baby powder to bandages in more than 60 countries.
The Answer
Johnson & Johnson. Since 1886, it's been one of the world's most valuable healthcare companies. Known for its COVID-19 vaccine, Band-Aid brand, and iconic baby products, the company operates 250+ subsidiaries with a three-sector business model.
Luxury Empire
Beyond fashion runways and exclusive boutiques, which business controls over 75 luxury brands, including Tiffany & Co., Dom Perignon, and TAG Heuer?
DiaLMs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy). Led by Bernard Arnault, it has built the world's largest luxury goods empire through strategic acquisitions across fashion, wines, spirits, perfumes, and jewelry. Globally, 5,500+ retail stores are present.
UHF, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Automotive Legend
Starting with a single factory producing just 10 vehicles daily, this Japanese business became the world's largest automaker while pioneering the hybrid car revolution.
The Answer
Toyota. The origins of Toyota date back to 1937 although Sakichi Toyoda invented the world's first automatic loom in 1924. The automobile company is recognized for its lean manufacturing philosophy, called the Toyota Production System.
South Korean E-Commerce
This South Korean venture grew to become the world's largest manufacturer of smartphones, TVs, and memory chips. Started with the Galaxy series.
Maurizio Pesce , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Samsung. Beginning as a grocery trading store in 1938, it became a global powerhouse with 54 subsidiaries. The name means "three stars" in Korean, which symbolizes its “powerful and everlasting ambition”.
Hans Olav Lien, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pharmaceuticals
Originally selling fabric dyes and pain relievers, this Swiss company now holds more cancer drug patents than any other corporation.
Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Roche. It developed HIV testing and cancer treatments after being founded in 1896 by a man who had lost his baby son to TB. Roche is the fifth-largest pharmaceutical company globally and a leading provider of cancer treatments.
Oporinus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Food & Beverage
Which brand’s formula was designed to combat infant mortality and was developed in 1905?
The Answer
Nestle. Apart from chocolate and coffee, it owns Purina pet food, Poland Spring water, and Gerber baby foods. The company emphasizes sustainable sourcing and climate action as part of its growth strategy.
Aerospace & Defense
After designing wooden seaplanes in a Seattle boathouse, this company created the world's first jumbo jet and built rockets that took humans to the moon.
The Answer
Boeing. Founded in 1916, it has delivered over 10,000 commercial jetliners and serves as America's largest manufacturing exporter. Boeing's early success came with the Boeing Model 2, which was designed by Wong Tsu.
Energy House
Starting as "Standard Oil of New Jersey" before being ordered to break up by the Supreme Court, this petroleum firm still operates in about 25 countries.
Lanzao0o1, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
ExxonMobil. Exxon and Mobil, both of which are descended from Standard Oil, merged in 1999 to form the company. It has one of the longest dividend records among the S&P 500 and runs about 12,000 retail gas stations across the globe.
Retail Therapy
This company was founded by an entrepreneur who personally delivered packages in a station wagon and pioneered the big-box concept.
The Answer
IKEA. Started by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in 1943 in Sweden, it enhanced furniture with flat-pack design and Scandinavian aesthetics. The term IKEA is an acronym coming from Ingvar Kamprad's initials, Elmtaryd (the farm he lived on), and Agunnaryd (the nearby village).
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