This month VMware celebrates the 25th anniversary of its founding on Feb. 10, 1998, when five forward-thinking technologists from Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley, led by founding CEO Diane Greene, set up shop above a deli in Palo Alto, Calif.
They pioneered x86 virtualization, a technical accomplishment that most in the industry then considered impossible. This technology has proven to be one of the most transformational inventions in our industry over the last 50 years. It is the foundational technology underlying the cloud revolution.
From there we virtualized storage and networking, making “software defined” the standard architecture for the modern datacenter. We led the industry through our innovations on desktop virtualization and unified endpoint management. Now we are leading the charge on creating the multi-cloud future, blazing a trail to help our customers realize the vast potential of their digital transformations.
From our humble beginnings to today, we have grown to well over 35,000 employees around the world and generated more than 5,000 patents. VMware serves over 99% of the companies listed in the Fortune 1000, and our software runs the world’s largest banks, telcos, hospitals, airlines, and non-profit institutions.
Few companies that started here in the Silicon Valley—or anywhere, for that matter—can claim 25 years of consistent growth and innovation. VMware can.
As a result, we have created significant value for our shareholders.
One major reason we have so many loyal customers is our ability to anticipate the next wave of breakthrough innovations in enterprise software and cloud services.
Another reason, no less significant, is the progress we have made in sustainability. Our technology has helped save more than 1.2 billion metric tons of carbon emissions. The remarkable thing is these sustainability benefits will only grow as we work toward our goal of helping our customers decarbonize their digital infrastructures as part of our 2030 Agenda.
Toward that end, and to mark our first 25 years, VMware will plant 25,000 mangrove trees—1,000 for each year—to help mitigate global warming.
In line with our values, VMware encourages and empowers our employees to engage and support their communities. In honor of this anniversary, VMware will give every employee an opportunity to direct a $250 donation to a non-profit of their choice.
For me, looking back on the past 25 years has generated a lot of memories. One of my favorite things about VMware is how we have adapted and pivoted, embracing change.
I am excited about VMware’s future because of all that the VMware community has created together, and all that we have shown VMware can achieve.
A company’s true worth is essentially the sum total of the contributions of those of us who come to work every day—who discover, who innovate, who lead, who keep everything not only running smoothly, but improving year after year.
Our remarkable team, including our partners and customers around the world, is the reason VMware can celebrate 25 years of success, and look forward to a promising future.