The tech boom has been a rollercoaster for investors. Some companies have seen their valuations double overnight, leaving them with massive cash-flow challenges. Others that appeared to be on the cusp of profitability have failed to produce profits.
However, there are some new and established tech companies that you need to keep an eye on as an investor or a business owner. After all, these companies represent some of the most exciting new investment opportunities in the sector right now.
The late 2000s and early 2010s were marked by a tech boom that saw valuations for startups skyrocket. From social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat to internet service providers like Google, Amazon, AOL, and Yahoo! — innovations in mobile technology paved the way for a new wave of startups.
As more people turn to the internet for communication and commerce, online businesses are flourishing. To stay competitive in this fast-moving market, you need to invest in new technologies. Here are 10 tech companies you should invest in now.
Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)
What started as a small search engine in 1998 is now a massive, global media business that includes online video, maps, mobile devices, and more. Google is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a market capitalization of $460 billion.
Google also has an admirable record for staying ahead of the curve. By continually innovating, the company has managed to stay one step ahead of competitors, which has given it a huge advantage over other companies.
Google’s core business, search engine advertising, has been on a steady decline throughout the past few years. However, the company is focused on other areas such as mobile advertising, hardware, and virtual reality. In 2017, the total revenue for Google was $50.55 billion.
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)
If you are old enough to remember the early 2000s, you may remember how huge the hype surrounding Apple was. Whether you were a fan of the company’s products or not, you had to acknowledge Apple was a massive success story.
Apple’s revenue was just $1.31 billion in 2000 and it now generates billions in revenue every year. Apple’s main hardware business has seen a slowdown over the past few years. However, there are signs that the company is returning to its roots. In 2017, Apple announced it will bring back the Mac computer, which was discontinued in 2006.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN)
Amazon was founded in 1994 and was little more than a website selling books until it branched out into other areas, including cloud computing, advertising, and streaming video. Amazon has grown into a massive online retailer with more than 800 million customers.
In 2017, the total revenue was $107.6 billion, making Amazon the second-most valuable company in the world. Amazon’s main business is e-commerce, which involves selling a wide range of products.
The company is also expanding into areas such as grocery delivery, groceries, virtual reality, and food. In addition to its main business, Amazon is investing in newer technologies such as internet of things, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.
Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB)
Facebook’s market capitalization reached $528 billion in early February 2018, making it the most valuable company in the world. Facebook has been one of the most popular social media platforms for many years.
It has its faults, but it is one of the best places to connect with friends, manage your business, and keep up with the latest news in entertainment and sports. In 2017, the total revenue for Facebook was $27.7 billion.
As more people turn to Facebook for their online needs, the company is investing in newer technologies such as drones, AI, Internet of Things, and blockchain. It may be a few years before the company sees significant returns on those investments, but it is important for Facebook to stay ahead of the curve.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC)
Intel was founded in 1968 and was a major player in the semiconductor industry. However, the company moved away from that market in the early 2000s and has focused on more recent innovations, including the development of artificial intelligence, internet of things, and cloud computing.
Intel generated $108.07 billion in revenue in 2017 and is one of the most profitable companies in the world. It is worth noting that Intel is not one of the newer tech companies on this list. Every one of the companies on this list is worth billions of dollars and/or is worth billions of dollars. However, Intel is worth billions of dollars because it is one of the oldest companies on this list.
Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU)
Baidu is a China-based internet company that focuses on search. The company has a market capitalization of $81.86 billion and generates most of its revenue from online advertising.
Baidu’s core business may be old and boring, but the company has invested heavily in newer technologies, such as artificial intelligence, drones, and blockchain. Baidu has been one of the fastest-growing companies on this list.
It experienced tremendous growth in 2017, as the total revenue increased by 31% to $9.72 billion. Baidu is worth millions of dollars, but it could be billions of dollars in the future.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT)
Microsoft was founded in 1975 and initially focused on desktop software for the early PCs. Over the past few decades, Microsoft has branched out into areas such as internet browser, mobile operating systems, cloud computing, gaming, and artificial intelligence.
Microsoft generated $108.72 billion in revenue in 2017 and has a market capitalization of nearly $1 trillion. It has been one of the best performers on this list over the past few years, with the total revenue increasing by 5% in 2017.
Bottom line
The tech boom of the late 2000s and early 2010s was marked by a lot of hype surrounding startups. While some companies experienced a great boost in valuation, others did not fare as well. Investing in tech companies can be a great way to make money in the market, but it is important to do your research before investing.
