Key Takeaways
- Meta, originally Facebook, has grown into a tech giant through strategic acquisitions, including Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, and Giphy.
- While Meta is a publicly traded company, founder Mark Zuckerberg retains significant control through a dual-class share structure, alongside investments from major institutional shareholders.
- The 2021 rebrand signaled a pivot from being a social media platform to a technology company focused on the metaverse, VR, AR, and digital spaces.
- Meta’s investments in cutting-edge technologies through acquisitions like CTRL-Labs, position it as a leader in the next generation of digital innovation.
Meta is one of the world’s most influential companies, renowned for launching social media, and one of the most disruptive technologies of the 21st century. In addition, the company is a digital powerhouse with a staggering net worth of $1.5 trillion and access to vast amounts of personal data from its billions of users. What started as Facebook has grown into a vast ecosystem of Meta subsidiaries that shape how we connect, communicate, and consume online content.
Through strategic acquisitions, Meta has expanded its influence, owning several key brands you likely interact with regularly. In this article, we’ll explore Meta’s digital empire, its rebranding journey, and what makes the company so significant in today’s tech-driven world.
8 Key Meta Subsidiaries
Over the years, Meta has strategically acquired numerous companies to broaden its reach and capabilities. Meta also founded new companies in its internal division. Consequently, it built a vast empire of platforms and technologies that shape today’s digital world. Let’s explore some of the most significant ones:
| Name | Founded | Founder(s) | Acquired Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes | N/A | |
| Beluga | 2007 | Ben Davenport | 2011 |
| 2010 | Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger | 2012 | |
| 2009 | Jan Koum and Brian Acton | 2014 | |
| Oculus VR | 2012 | Palmer Luckey | 2014 |
| LiveRail | 2007 | Mark Trefgarne, Andrei Dunca | 2014 |
| CTRL-Labs | 2015 | Patrick Kaifosh and Thomas Reardon | 2019 |
| Giphy | 2013 | Alex Chung and Jace Cooke | 2020 |
- Founded: 2004
- Founder: Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes
- Acquired Year: N/A
Facebook is the foundation upon which Meta’s empire was built. Launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and a team of co-founders, the platform quickly became the world’s leading social networking site. Over the years, Facebook has become more than just a place to connect with friends. Today, it’s also a hub for businesses, advertising, and online communities.
With billions of monthly active users, Facebook has remained a critical tool for Meta’s advertising revenue. In addition, features like Facebook Marketplace, Groups, and Pages have turned it into a versatile platform that caters to individuals, brands, and businesses.
Beluga
- Founded: 2007
- Founder: Ben Davenport
- Acquired Year: 2011
Beluga was a group messaging app designed to make connecting with friends and family more seamless. Acquired by Facebook in 2011, Beluga’s technology and design became the foundation for Facebook Messenger, which has since grown into one of the most widely used communication platforms globally.
Equally important was the integration of Beluga’s features, which enabled Meta to expand its dominance in social networking by offering instant messaging, voice, and video calling capabilities. Today, Facebook Messenger connects billions of users worldwide, demonstrating Meta’s commitment to enhancing real-time communication.
- Founded: 2010
- Founder: Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger
- Acquired Year: 2012
Meta acquired Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion, a move that many initially criticized as overvalued. However, the acquisition has proved to be among the most strategic ones in tech history. Instagram turned into a giant in social media, with features like Stories, Reels, and an integrated shopping platform that drives engagement and monetization.
Instagram’s focus on visuals and its appeal to younger generations have made it a critical component of Meta’s portfolio. The app has also become a preferred space for influencers and brands, making it an advertising juggernaut. Its seamless integration with Facebook’s ad system ensures that Meta maximizes revenue potential across both platforms.
- Founded: 2009
- Founder: Jan Koum and Brian Acton
- Acquired Year: 2014
WhatsApp is one of the best-known Meta subsidiaries, acquired in 2014 for a staggering $19 billion – reflecting its potential to dominate global communication. Since then, WhatsApp has grown into the most widely used messaging app worldwide, with over 2 billion users in 180 countries.
What sets WhatsApp apart is its simplicity and focus on privacy, as well as features like end-to-end encryption. Beyond personal use, WhatsApp has evolved into a critical tool for businesses of all sizes. In other words, the WhatsApp Business app and API allow companies to engage with customers, send notifications, and streamline support.
Finally, WhatsApp plays a key role in Meta’s strategy to integrate messaging, payments, and commerce, creating an all-encompassing platform for communication and transactions.
Oculus VR (Reality Labs)
- Founded: 2012
- Founder: Palmer Luckey
- Acquired Year: 2014
Meta’s acquisition of Oculus in 2014 for $2 billion marked its entry into the virtual reality space. Oculus has since evolved into one of the leading brands in VR, producing popular headsets like the Oculus Quest series.
Furthermore, the company is a cornerstone of Meta’s vision for the metaverse, enabling immersive experiences in gaming, entertainment, and social interaction. With platforms like Horizon Worlds, Oculus has introduced new ways for people to connect and collaborate virtually.
Meta has recently invested heavily in advancing Oculus’s technology, ensuring it remains at the forefront of VR innovation. From casual gamers to professional developers, Oculus has something to offer for everyone venturing into the metaverse. In 2020, Oculus was rebranded to Reality Labs.
LiveRail
- Founded: 2007
- Founders: Mark Trefgarne, Andrei Dunca
- Acquired Year: 2014
LiveRail was a leading video advertising platform that enabled publishers to maximize revenue by connecting them with the right advertisers through sophisticated real-time ad bidding. When Facebook acquired LiveRail in 2014, it marked a significant step into the world of video advertising.
As a result, by leveraging LiveRail’s technology, Facebook improved its ability to deliver targeted, high-quality video ads to its users. While the LiveRail brand was eventually phased out, its innovations played a crucial role in shaping Meta’s advertising infrastructure, helping the company establish itself as a dominant player in the digital ad market.
Giphy
- Founded: 2013
- Founder: Alex Chung and Jace Cooke
- Acquired Year: 2020
Meta’s acquisition of Giphy in 2020 for $400 million brought the internet’s most popular GIF-sharing platform into its ecosystem. Consequently, Giphy’s integration into Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook has enhanced user engagement by allowing seamless access to GIFs.
But Giphy is more than just fun animations, it’s a tool for communication and creativity. By owning Giphy, Meta ensures that its platforms remain interactive and entertaining. The acquisition also gave Meta a foothold in the creator economy, as Giphy partners with brands and artists to produce custom GIFs.
CTRL-Labs
- Founded: 2015
- Founder: Patrick Kaifosh and Thomas Reardon
- Acquired Year: 2019
CTRL-Labs is one of Meta’s most futuristic acquisitions, signaling its intent to revolutionize how humans interact with technology. In other words, the neurotechnology company is developing brain-machine interface solutions, enabling users to control devices with their thoughts.
At the same time, Meta’s investment in CTRL-Labs aligns with its metaverse ambitions, as the technology could redefine how users navigate virtual spaces. Finally, from gaming to productivity, the possibilities with this cutting-edge innovation are endless.
Who Owns Meta?
Today, Meta (including all Meta subsidiaries) is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol META. In addition, its ownership is divided among institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders. Key shareholders include:
- Mark Zuckerberg: The founder and CEO holds significant voting power through a dual-class share structure, allowing him to steer the company’s long-term vision.
- Institutional Investors: Major firms like Vanguard, BlackRock, and Fidelity own substantial stakes in Meta, reflecting their confidence in the company’s growth potential.
- Early Investors and Employees: Many individuals who joined Meta in its early days hold shares, hence benefiting from the company’s immense valuation.
Why Did Facebook Rebrand As Meta?
Facebook’s rebrand to Meta in 2021 was a crucial moment in the company’s history. The decision was driven by its shift in focus from social networking to broader technological innovation, particularly in the metaverse. The rebrand also aimed to better encompass Meta subsidiaries, beyond the original Facebook. Some of the reasons for the Facebook rebrand into Meta include:
- Metaverse Ambitions: Meta aims to create interconnected virtual spaces where users can socialize, work, and play. The rebrand highlights this new mission.
- Diversification: By rebranding, Meta distances itself from being seen solely as a social media company, emphasizing its investments in VR, AR, and AI.
- Brand Refresh: Following scrutiny over privacy and misinformation issues, the rebrand allowed Meta to redefine its public image.
- Future-Forward Identity: The name “Meta” reflects the company’s goal to explore technologies that go beyond traditional digital interactions.
Closing Thoughts
Meta’s journey from a college dorm room project to a trillion-dollar tech giant is a testament to its adaptability and ambition. Furthermore, through acquisitions like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, Meta has created a diverse ecosystem that touches nearly every aspect of our digital lives.
Lastly, with a diverse portfolio of companies under its win and plans in the metaverse, AR, and VR, Meta’s influence will likely grow even further.
FAQ
What companies does Meta own, and how do they fit into its vision?
Meta owns several major companies, including Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus VR (Reality Labs), and more. Accordingly, these acquisitions align with its strategy to dominate social media, messaging, virtual reality, and digital innovation.
Why did Facebook change its name to Meta?
Facebook rebranded to Meta in 2021 to reflect its shift from a social media-centric company to a broader technology leader focused on building the metaverse. It aimed to create a connected virtual space integrating work, play, and social interaction.
Who controls Meta today?
Meta is publicly traded, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg retains significant influence. He has ownership of a majority of the company’s Class B shares, which grant him higher voting power compared to standard shareholders.
