Microsoft turns 50 Today

Today marks 50 years since Paul Allen and I officially  started Microsoft. Back then, we were just two kids obsessed with computers, convinced that software could unlock a better future—and determined to make that future happen.

We dreamed of a computer on every desk and in every home. In 1975, that sounded like a pipe dream to most people who didn’t even know what a computer was, let alone why they’d want one. But we believed that if we could make this technology accessible and useful, it could change the world.

And it did.

What started as a crazy idea between childhood friends became a company that helped spark the personal computing revolution. That revolution has transformed how people work, create, and connect across every industry and every country.

To think that Microsoft has been part of half a century of progress—from floppy disks to cloud computing, from DOS to AI—is surreal. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of that journey. I only wish Paul were here to take it all in, too. But I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the dream he and I shared a reality: from early pioneers like Steve Ballmer to today’s visionary leaders like Satya Nadella—and, of course, the many brilliant people who have worked at Microsoft along the way.

To celebrate this milestone, I wanted to share something special: the code that started it all. Altair BASIC was the first software Paul and I ever sold—and the first product Microsoft ever made (back when we still spelled it "Micro-Soft," with a hyphen). It remains the coolest code I’ve ever written. You can learn the story behind it on Gates Notes now—and even download the original source code yourself to see how it all worked.

Thanks, as always, for being an Insider—and for being part of this journey, too. Here’s to the next 50 years.

Tony Surtees - thank you for your tremendous contribution to Australian Innovation

Today marks the end of Tony Surtee’s  tenure as Chair of the Entrepreneurs Program Committee at the Australian Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources of Industry, Science, and Resources. 

Tony in his humble way said

 “It has been a privilege to serve in this role for two terms as Chair and four terms since July 2015, with my term concluding today.

During my time in this position, our dedicated team facilitated the selection of grant funding recipients for over 640 businesses in Accelerating Commercialisation (AC), conducting merit assessments totaling more than $300 million. Additionally, the Business Research Innovation Initiative (BRII) successfully tackled 27 challenges from 20 government agencies, providing over $38 million in funding to 84 innovative businesses to enhance service delivery across various Federal Government Agencies.

I am immensely grateful to my colleagues and team members who contributed their expertise, industry knowledge, and diverse skills to support entrepreneurs in their ventures. These entrepreneurs exemplify Australian innovation and resilience, and it has been our goal to assist them in navigating the challenges of establishing new enterprises. On average, each business that accessed grant funding was able to add 7 new staff members, fostering growth and opportunity.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues, team members, and Ministers of Industry for their unwavering dedication and collaboration throughout these years. The experience of working together to identify deserving recipients of commercialisation and innovation grants has been enriching both professionally and personally.

Thank you to Steve Telburn, Carrie Hillyard AM, Bessi Graham, Rachael Neumann, Jan Bingley, James Williams, Paul Hunyor, Peter Bradd, Mitchell Hooke, Peter Riddles, and Nicola Hazell for their invaluable contributions and support.”

We look forward to working with you , Tony , to nurture innovation in Australia and globally for many years to come

Onwards and upwards 🚀