Paul Allen is an American business tycoon, investor, researcher, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of the largest software company in the world: Microsoft. Besides Microsoft, Allen has other areas of business interest including technology, real estate, media and sports. In addition to co-founding Microsoft alongside his close friend Bill Gate, Allen also founded Vulcan Capital Inc and is the owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and co-owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, which became a member of the Major League in 2009. Football. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The business tycoon is also interested in research, which is why he founded some research institutes like the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Stratolaunch Systems and Institute for Cellular Sciences. Allen was born in Seattle, Washington, on January 21, 1953, to Edna Faye and Kenneth Sam Allen. His full name is Paul Gardner Allen. He attended a private school in Seattle, Lakeside School, where he met his close friend and future business partner, Bill Gate. The two were bonded by their love and passion for computers. After high school, Allen went to Washington State University to study computer science and Bill to Harvard. After two years, Paul Allen dropped out and convinced Bill to drop out as well so they could both pursue their passion for computers and software. Inspired by an article in Popular Electronics that featured the new Altair microcomputer kit made by MITS Computer, the two friends moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where MITS was headquartered. After working for a while and saving $16,000, they created the world's largest software program in 1975. Their journey to success was not smooth, but vision, perseverance, and hard work got them allowed to continue and today, this small This company which started with only 16,000 dollars has a turnover of 89.95 billion in 2017 and the two friends found their name on the list of the richest men in the world. Besides Microsoft, Paul Allen owns a string of other companies and investments. He is the founder of Vulcan Capital Inc, a private asset management company, which he established in 1986, with the mission of finding solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges. In 2013, it opened a new office in Palo Alto, California, with the aim of investing in young, emerging technology and internet companies. Its most recent investment projects include Decide.com, Audience Inc and Redfin. His real estate company is dedicated to development and portfolio management services and has developed more than 6 million square feet of office, biotechnology and residential space. In 2012, it sold office space worth $1.16 billion to Amazon. Paul Allen is the owner of the National Football League franchise, the Seattle Seahawks; which he bought in 1996, Ken Behring. He also owns the NBA team Portland Blazers, which he purchased for $70 million in 1988 from real estate developer Larry Weinberg, and he partly owns Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC. The business mogul is also interested in media: with his sister, Jody Allen, he created Vulcan Productions, a television and film production company headquartered in Seattle. They both serve as executive producers for the company. His love and passion for aviation also led him to.