How many tech companies does Elon Musk own

The unstoppable Elon Musk's presence is felt across the tech world, with his innovative ventures and leadership approach making him a household name.

As the world's richest person as per Forbes, with a net worth of over $430 billion, Musk's influence extends beyond tech.

That said, many would wonder what drives this enigmatic figure, and how Musk manages to keep up with a dozen startups and ventures.

The tech billionaire

Born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk developed an interest in computing and programming at an early age.

At 12, Musk created his first software programme, a space-themed video game.

Moreover, after studying economics and physics at the University of Pennsylvania, Musk moved to California to pursue a career in technology and entrepreneurship.

Elon Musk’s tech empire

Musk’s innovative ventures and leadership approach have made him a household name. Some of the notable startups and ventures owned or funded by Musk are as follows:

SpaceX

Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, an aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and launches advanced aircraft. SpaceX aims to reduce the cost of space exploration and enable the colonisation of Mars.

With numerous successful launches and reusable rockets, SpaceX has become a key player in the space industry, competing with NASA and other players.

As NASA's Artemis program is aiming to return humans to the Moon, SpaceX is gearing up to send its mission to Mars, further intensifying the competition.

Tesla

Although not founded by Musk, Tesla became a leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer under his leadership.

Musk's vision for sustainable energy has driven Tesla's success, with the company expanding into solar energy and energy storage. 

Moreover, recently during a Tesla investor call Musk confirmed that the company is prepared to launch self-driving Tesla robotaxis in Austin, Texas, by June.

Notably, Tesla’s profits slid 71% to $409m compared with $1.39bn in net income the previous year.

Neuralink

Another tech-based startup of Musk is Neuralink. Founded in 2016, Neuralink is developing brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) that could potentially treat a wide range of medical conditions.

With a focus on neurotechnology, Neuralink is pushing the boundaries of human cognition and AI integration.

X (formerly Twitter)

Back in 2022, we witnessed the chaos around the popular social media platform Twitter now commonly known as X when Musk shared his plans to acquire it.

Since then, X has undergone significant changes, with a focus on free speech and digital interaction.

xAI: Musk’s AI startup

The tech billionaire entered the artificial intelligence (AI) market with his startup called xAI. 

This OpenAI rival AI company aims to "decode the universe's mysteries" through advanced AI systems.

Notably, xAI recently introduced Grok, an AI chatbot  to compete with AI giants such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, DeepSeek, and more.

Starlink

Owned by Musk, Starlink is a subsidiary of SpaceX, a satellite constellation project aiming to provide global internet connectivity in underdeveloped areas worldwide.

The OpenAI saga

Many might not be aware regarding Musk's involvement with OpenAI, an AI company he co-founded with Sam Altman.

For the uninitiated, Musk left OpenAI in 2015. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Musk is now suing Altman over the company's alleged deviation from its non-profit mission.

The lawsuit against OpenAI will go to a jury trial in spring 2026 as decided by the judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

That said, Musk's xAI is emerging as a rival AI startup, with the Grok AI chatbot gaining attention for its unique approach.

Is Musk a master of none?

With a dozen startups and ventures under his belt, Musk's critics often label him a "jack of all trades, master of none."

However, Musk's ability to bring together diverse talent and resources has yielded remarkable results.

Despite all the challenges and controversies, Musk's willingness to take risks and push boundaries has contributed to the success of his startups.

Musk's advisory role in Trump’s administration

Musk's influence extends beyond the tech world. He has been involved in various government initiatives, including advising the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as the de facto head.

Although the extent of his involvement is not widely known, Musk's participation in government advisory roles highlights his commitment to shaping policy and driving innovation.