Tesla and Elon Musk's Trillion-Dollar Tech Empire
Elon Musk has secured the largest corporate pay package in history: a $1 trillion deal from Tesla. This deal has earned him the title of the first "trillion-dollar CEO," with a personal net worth estimated at about $500 billion as of October 2025, according to Forbes.
Musk’s business interests stretch beyond Tesla, covering industries such as space, artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, and social media. Below is an overview of some key companies he owns or has acquired, their foundations, functions, and current valuations.
Tesla
Founded in 2003 by American entrepreneurs Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Tesla specializes in electric vehicles, solar panels, and batteries for cars and home energy storage. The company’s headquarters is located in Austin, Texas.
- In February 2004, Elon Musk led Tesla’s Series A funding with a $6.5 million investment.
- He became chairman of the board and took on the CEO and product architect roles in 2008.
- As of October 2025, Tesla’s market capitalization is approximately $1.5 trillion.
SpaceX
SpaceX, an American aerospace company based in Hawthorne, California, was founded by Elon Musk in 2002. The company manufactures rockets, spacecraft, and satellites, including the Starlink satellite network.
SpaceX is the first private company to send a spacecraft into space and safely return it to Earth.
This achievement marked a significant milestone in private space exploration.
Summary
Elon Musk’s vast portfolio spans multiple industries, with historic corporate achievements and groundbreaking innovations solidifying his position as a leading tech entrepreneur globally.