# Source: https://businessownerindex.com/founder-reference/people/paul-allen-q162005/ Public founder reference library # Paul Allen Recorded founding associations · Traf-O-Data · Microsoft · Stratolaunch Systems · Starwave · Mojave Aerospace Ventures · Asymetrix · Apex Learning · Vulcan Productions ## Founding associations Paul Allen is recorded as a founder of [Traf-O-Data](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/traf-o-data-q2632842/), [Microsoft](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/microsoft-q2283/), [Stratolaunch Systems](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/stratolaunch-systems-q620534/), [Starwave](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/starwave-q3497261/), [Mojave Aerospace Ventures](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/mojave-aerospace-ventures-q6894987/), [Asymetrix](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/asymetrix-q4812060/), [Apex Learning](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/apex-learning-q4779428/), [Vulcan Productions](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/vulcan-productions-q7943490/) in the cited public company records. The person record describes Paul Allen as American businessman and philanthropist, co-founder of Microsoft (1953–2018). ## [Traf-O-Data](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/traf-o-data-q2632842/) early predecessor company to Microsoft. Recorded founding year: 1972. Explore the [Traf-O-Data company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/traf-o-data-q2632842/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Microsoft](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/microsoft-q2283/) American multinational technology corporation. Recorded founding year: 1975. Explore the [Microsoft company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/microsoft-q2283/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Stratolaunch Systems](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/stratolaunch-systems-q620534/) company. Recorded founding year: 2011. Explore the [Stratolaunch Systems company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/stratolaunch-systems-q620534/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Starwave](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/starwave-q3497261/) defunct software and website company. Recorded founding year: 1992. Explore the [Starwave company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/starwave-q3497261/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Mojave Aerospace Ventures](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/mojave-aerospace-ventures-q6894987/) aerospace company spun off from research programs of Paul Allen and Burt Rutan. Explore the [Mojave Aerospace Ventures company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/mojave-aerospace-ventures-q6894987/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Asymetrix](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/asymetrix-q4812060/) software company. Explore the [Asymetrix company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/asymetrix-q4812060/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Apex Learning](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/apex-learning-q4779428/) American e-learning company founded in 1997. Explore the [Apex Learning company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/apex-learning-q4779428/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## [Vulcan Productions](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/vulcan-productions-q7943490/) American documentary production company. Explore the [Vulcan Productions company reference](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/vulcan-productions-q7943490/) for the recorded cofounders, business context, and company-specific source trail. ## Research context: Technology and software When researching a technology business, distinguish the product from its delivery model. Software licensing, subscriptions, services, and hardware can describe different customer relationships even when companies operate in the same broad sector. A short public description rarely establishes the revenue model, the ownership of intellectual property, or the customer base. ### Questions for researching Microsoft - Does the company describe a specific product, a service engagement, or a platform connecting other parties? - Which current product pages or dated announcements explain how the offering has changed since founding? - Are the founder biography and company history consistent about the original business and later changes? This sector context is a reading guide based on the company’s recorded description. It does not attribute a particular business model or capability to Microsoft without supporting evidence. ## Research context: Technology and software When researching a technology business, distinguish the product from its delivery model. Software licensing, subscriptions, services, and hardware can describe different customer relationships even when companies operate in the same broad sector. A short public description rarely establishes the revenue model, the ownership of intellectual property, or the customer base. ### Questions for researching Starwave - Does the company describe a specific product, a service engagement, or a platform connecting other parties? - Which current product pages or dated announcements explain how the offering has changed since founding? - Are the founder biography and company history consistent about the original business and later changes? This sector context is a reading guide based on the company’s recorded description. It does not attribute a particular business model or capability to Starwave without supporting evidence. ## Research context: Manufacturing and industrial businesses For an industrial company, research the actual products and where the business participates in the supply chain. Designing a product, manufacturing it, distributing it, and servicing it are distinct activities. The founding record helps identify the organization, but does not show which facilities, subsidiaries, or product lines it operates today. ### Questions for researching Mojave Aerospace Ventures - Which current company materials identify its products and customer industries? - Does the public history distinguish the original company from later acquisitions or subsidiaries? - What dated evidence supports claims about facilities, distribution, or operating scale? This sector context is a reading guide based on the company’s recorded description. It does not attribute a particular business model or capability to Mojave Aerospace Ventures without supporting evidence. ## Research context: Technology and software When researching a technology business, distinguish the product from its delivery model. Software licensing, subscriptions, services, and hardware can describe different customer relationships even when companies operate in the same broad sector. A short public description rarely establishes the revenue model, the ownership of intellectual property, or the customer base. ### Questions for researching Asymetrix - Does the company describe a specific product, a service engagement, or a platform connecting other parties? - Which current product pages or dated announcements explain how the offering has changed since founding? - Are the founder biography and company history consistent about the original business and later changes? This sector context is a reading guide based on the company’s recorded description. It does not attribute a particular business model or capability to Asymetrix without supporting evidence. ## Research context: Media and creative businesses Creative-business histories often span a studio, a publishing label, individual works, and later corporate owners. Distinguish the founding of the business from the release of a particular product or production. The public description identifies an area of activity but does not establish ownership of individual creative works or current publishing rights. ### Questions for researching Vulcan Productions - Which official catalog or portfolio explains the company’s work? - Does the founding history identify the original organization and any later name changes? - Are credits for a person’s creative work separate from evidence that the person founded the company? This sector context is a reading guide based on the company’s recorded description. It does not attribute a particular business model or capability to Vulcan Productions without supporting evidence. ## Follow the founding team Paul Allen’s association with [Traf-O-Data](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/traf-o-data-q2632842/) can be researched alongside [Bill Gates](https://businessownerindex.com/founder-reference/people/bill-gates-q5284/). The company’s recorded founding year is 1972. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Microsoft](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/microsoft-q2283/) can be researched alongside [Bill Gates](https://businessownerindex.com/founder-reference/people/bill-gates-q5284/). The company’s recorded founding year is 1975. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Stratolaunch Systems](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/stratolaunch-systems-q620534/) can be researched alongside the company source record. The company’s recorded founding year is 2011. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Starwave](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/starwave-q3497261/) can be researched alongside the company source record. The company’s recorded founding year is 1992. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Mojave Aerospace Ventures](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/mojave-aerospace-ventures-q6894987/) can be researched alongside the company source record. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Asymetrix](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/asymetrix-q4812060/) can be researched alongside the company source record. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Apex Learning](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/apex-learning-q4779428/) can be researched alongside the company source record. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. Paul Allen’s association with [Vulcan Productions](https://businessownerindex.com/company-reference/vulcan-productions-q7943490/) can be researched alongside the company source record. The shared company record is the evidence for this connection; it does not establish that these people currently work together. This reference library documents public founding associations, including historical businesses and founders. A company may have changed ownership, name, or operating status since the recorded founding event. It is separate from our revenue-qualified growth profiles. Founding does not establish current ownership, employment, company revenue, or an AE client relationship. ## Public sources - [Wikidata public record Q162005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q162005): person identity and public description. - [Wikidata public record Q2632842](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2632842): founder association with Traf-O-Data. - [Wikidata public record Q2283](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2283): founder association with Microsoft. - [Wikidata public record Q620534](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q620534): founder association with Stratolaunch Systems. - [Wikidata public record Q3497261](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3497261): founder association with Starwave. - [Wikidata public record Q6894987](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6894987): founder association with Mojave Aerospace Ventures. - [Wikidata public record Q4812060](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4812060): founder association with Asymetrix. - [Wikidata public record Q4779428](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4779428): founder association with Apex Learning. - [Wikidata public record Q7943490](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7943490): founder association with Vulcan Productions. ## Using this founder record A founding association can remain historically meaningful after someone's role changes. This profile does not label Paul Allen as a current owner or executive, estimate personal income, or claim the person uses AE Tax Advisors. Confirm present responsibilities through current company information. For the separate collection with published historical growth evidence, explore our [growth-profile directory](https://businessownerindex.com/directory/). To add a company biography or correct an association, submit public evidence through the profile update form.[Browse founder reference ↗](https://businessownerindex.com/founder-reference/)[Submit a sourced correction ↗](https://businessownerindex.com/get-featured/?request=update) AE Tax Advisors owns and publishes Business Owner Index. These are public research records, not client testimonials.[Meet AE Tax Advisors ↗](https://businessownerindex.com/tax-strategists/) AE Tax Advisors · Founded and led by Christina Nortman, CPA ## You built the business. Make the next move with a clearer tax plan. As the business grows, decisions about compensation, entities, property, and ownership become more connected. Bring those decisions into one conversation with AE Tax Advisors. - Define the decisions and deadlines ahead. - Discuss the records and specialists the work requires. - Confirm deliverables, responsibilities, and fees in a written scope.[Prepare for your advisory conversation ↗](https://businessownerindex.com/resources/) AETAX ADVISORS Christina Nortman, CPA, Founder and Principal. Bring your next business decision to AE’s team and discuss the advisory scope, responsibilities, and next steps.[Book a Call with AE Tax Advisors ↗](https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/discovery?utm_source=businessownerindex&utm_medium=directory&utm_campaign=owner_advisory&utm_content=owner_banner) [Review published advisory pricing](https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/pricing/) AE owns and publishes this directory. Listed founders are not presented as AE clients.