Who Owns X (formerly Twitter) Company?

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Who Owns X?

The ownership of a company significantly influences its strategic direction and financial stability. A pivotal event was the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk in October 2022, transforming it into X Corp.

This high-profile takeover shifted the platform from a publicly traded entity to a privately held corporation, impacting its operational framework and future development.

Who owns X?

X, originally known as Twitter, was founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. The platform's genesis was within Odeo, a podcasting company, with the initial prototype developed for internal use. Evan Williams played a significant role in financing the company's spin-off from Odeo in 2006.

Founding Year

X, formerly Twitter, was launched in 2006. This marked the beginning of a new era in social media communication.

Origin of the Platform

The platform originated from Odeo, a podcasting company. The first prototype was developed internally for Odeo employees.

Key Early Investor

Evan Williams was a crucial figure in financing the company's spin-off. He acquired assets from early venture investors.

Pre-IPO Shareholding

Evan Williams held nearly 57 million shares, about 12% of the total. Jack Dorsey held approximately 22.2 million shares, around 4.7%.

Voting Control Agreement

An early agreement stipulated that Evan Williams maintained voting control over Jack Dorsey's shares. This control lasted until the IPO completion.

Noah Glass's Departure

Noah Glass, a co-creator, was reportedly removed from the company in 2006. He did not benefit from later IPO gains.

While specific initial equity splits for all founders at inception are not publicly detailed, Evan Williams emerged as the largest individual shareholder in X's early years. By the time of its IPO filing in 2013, he held nearly 57 million of the 472 million outstanding common shares, representing approximately a 12% stake. Jack Dorsey, another co-founder, held around a 4.7% equity stake prior to the IPO, controlling about 22.2 million shares. Notably, an early voting agreement stipulated that Williams maintained voting control over Dorsey's shares until the completion of the IPO. Noah Glass, though a co-creator of Odeo and instrumental in X's startup, was reportedly 'pushed out' of the company in 2006, missing out on later IPO gains. Early backers included various venture investors from whom Odeo's assets were acquired, contributing to the initial funding rounds that supported the platform's growth and eventual public offering. Understanding the early ownership structure is key to grasping the subsequent evolution of X company owner dynamics.

Early Ownership Landscape

The initial ownership of X was concentrated among its founders, with significant influence held by Evan Williams. This early structure laid the groundwork for future ownership changes and the platform's trajectory.

• Evan Williams held the largest individual stake pre-IPO.
• Jack Dorsey's voting rights were initially controlled by Williams.
• Noah Glass, a co-founder, departed the company early.
• Venture investors were among the initial backers of the company.

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The ownership of X, formerly Twitter, underwent a monumental shift in October 2022 with Elon Musk's acquisition for approximately $44 billion. This privatization marked the end of its tenure as a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange.

Elon Musk orchestrated this acquisition through a newly formed parent company, X Holdings, which then established X Corp. to directly own the social media platform. The significant funding for this deal came from Musk's personal contribution, a group of equity partners, and substantial debt financing from major financial institutions.

Current Major Stakeholders of X

Following the privatization, the ownership structure of X has consolidated under a new set of major stakeholders, with Elon Musk holding the primary controlling interest.

• Elon Musk: The majority owner of X Holdings and X Corp., having personally invested $33.5 billion.
• Kingdom Holding Company (Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al Saud): Holds approximately 4.3% of the company.
• Larry Ellison: A significant individual investor.
• Jack Dorsey: Rolled over his $1 billion stake, representing over 2%.
• Binance: Invested $500 million.
• Venture Capital Firms: Including Sequoia Capital ($800 million) and Andreessen Horowitz ($400 million).
• Qatar Holding: Invested through Q Tetris Holdings LLC.
• Fidelity: Invested $300 million.
• Other Individuals/Entities: Such as Pershing Square Foundation and Danilo Kawasaki.
• Employees: Hold shares through stock purchases and restricted stock units.

These ownership changes have fundamentally altered the company's trajectory, transitioning it from a public entity to a private one under Elon Musk's leadership. This shift is geared towards his vision of an 'everything app' and the integration of artificial intelligence, impacting the Target Market of X (formerly Twitter) and its future development.

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As a privately held entity, X Corp.'s board of directors and voting power dynamics are distinct from its public trading days. Elon Musk holds the position of Chairman and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Linda Yaccarino served as CEO until July 2025, with Mahmoud Reza Banki appointed Chief Financial Officer in November 2024.

Elon Musk, through his majority ownership via X Holdings, wields significant control and voting power within X Corp. The concentration of ownership means that traditional public company governance mechanisms, such as shareholder activism or proxy battles, are not present. The acquisition in 2022 for approximately $44 billion consolidated control under Musk and his supporting investors, fundamentally altering the ownership structure and decision-making processes of the platform, which transitioned from Twitter to X.

X Corp. Governance and Ownership

The shift to private ownership has centralized decision-making power. Elon Musk's substantial stake as the majority shareholder dictates the company's strategic direction.

• Elon Musk is the Chairman and CTO.
• Linda Yaccarino was the CEO until July 2025.
• Mahmoud Reza Banki is the CFO.
• Control is concentrated with the primary owner and key investors.
• The company was acquired for $44 billion.
• Understanding the Brief History of X (formerly Twitter) provides context for current ownership.

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The ownership of X, formerly known as Twitter, has undergone a dramatic shift in recent years, culminating in its privatization and subsequent rebranding. This transformation has been largely orchestrated by Elon Musk, who acquired the company in late 2022.

Following the acquisition by Elon Musk, the company was rebranded to X in July 2023, with a full migration to the X.com domain completed by May 2024. This period has seen a consolidation of control under Musk and a select group of private investors. While early investor Fidelity reported a significant markdown in its X shares by 71% to approximately $12.5 billion by early 2024, more recent secondary market transactions in March 2025 indicate a valuation rebound to the original $44 billion purchase price. This resurgence aligns with X's efforts to secure $2 billion in fresh capital through a primary funding round.

Valuation Trends

Early 2024 saw a 71% markdown on X shares by Fidelity. By March 2025, secondary market deals indicated a valuation recovery to the initial $44 billion acquisition price.

Funding Rounds

X is actively seeking to raise $2 billion in a new primary funding round. This move aims to bolster the company's financial position and support its strategic initiatives.

Strategic Integration

On March 28, 2025, X Corp was acquired by xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company. This all-stock deal valued X at $33 billion, with a total valuation of $45 billion including debt.

Financial Performance

In 2024, X reported adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.2 billion. Revenue from data licensing and subscriptions increased by 30% in February 2025, reaching $91 million, while advertising revenue saw a 4% growth. The company also plans to launch an 'X Money Account' digital wallet in 2025 in partnership with Visa, further integrating financial services into its platform. Understanding the Competitors Landscape of X (formerly Twitter) is crucial in this evolving market.

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