In the technological world of IT(Information Technology) products and solutions, humans and their qualities play a crucial role. Technological advancement generates a new environment in which human abilities become increasingly crucial.
It is due to the intelligence and smartness of the human brain that we are living in a world that seems impossible in the olden days.
Two of the most influential humans that have contributed largely in the field of IT and communications are Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.
Key Takeaways
- Mark Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook, while Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft.
- Zuckerberg’s wealth primarily comes from his Facebook holdings; Gates’ wealth originated from Microsoft and diversified investments.
- Gates transitioned from tech to philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Zuckerberg focuses on Facebook and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Mark Zuckerberg vs Bill Gates
Mark Zuckerberg is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meta, a conglomerate of social media platforms that includes Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Bill Gates is also an entrepreneur in the tech industry and is recognized as the co-founder of Microsoft, a leading software company.
Mark Zuckerberg is the person who gave us one of the most famous social networking site Facebook which connects millions of people around the world.
He was born in New York (White Plains) in 1984 and now lives with his wife, Priscilla Chan, and their two children in Palo Alto, California.
Zuckerberg can be considered as the most powerful computer programmer and Internet businessman known today. Various legal challenges confronted and continue to confront Zuckerberg. Initially, he was sued by Harvard Connect and Facebook cofounder.
Later, Facebook was also chastised for misusing and leaking users’ personal information and data. William Henry Gates popularly known as Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1955 and currently resides in Medina, Washington.
After founding Microsoft, one of the world’s greatest PC software firms, with Paul Allen in 1975, Gates became one of the world’s most prominent businessmen who have seen immeasurable success in his life; he is also a philanthropists who cares for the people and strives to improve the well-being of others; he donates generously in charities and noble causes.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Mark Zuckerberg | Bill Gates |
|---|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1984 (age 37) • White Plains • New York | October 28, 1955 (age 66) • Seattle • Washington |
| Full name | Mark Elliot Zuckerberg | William Henry Gates III |
| Founder | Microsoft Corporation | |
| Education | Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, New Hampshire) • Harvard University | Harvard University (drop out) |
| Spouse | Priscilla Chan | Melinda French |
Who is Mark Zuckerberg?
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook and one of the world’s most renowned and important persons, has had a fascination with computers since he was a child.
He invented a messaging application called “Zucknet” when he was 12 years old, which allowed the computers in his house and his father’s dentist office to connect and converse by transmitting messages.
This application was also used by the family to converse within the house. He was attracted by computers and enjoyed making computer games with his friends for fun.
As the years passed, his interest and passion for computers grew even more.
He continued working and developing programs, and while still in high school, he invented Synapse, a music player that intelligently recommended additional music to users based on their musical preferences.
Several corporations, including Microsoft, expressed interest in purchasing the program and hiring Mark, but he turned down all of the offers.
After graduating, he went to Harvard University to study programming, and soon after, Mark and his friends created a social networking site that allowed Harvard students to create profiles, upload photos, and communicate with one another, and the site was officially launched from his Drom Room, and that was how Facebook started.
He decided to drop out of college and focus solely on growing his Facebook Company.
But this college dropout had a clear vision for his future and believed in the concept he was working on; he didn’t just drop out; he had a strategy and was committed to making Facebook a global platform.
Facebook had 1 million users by the end of 2004, and the number continued to rise significantly over time.
When Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook, he was only 19 years old and had no prior experience with business, management, or even the concept of launching a corporation.
With a net value of $958 billion and over fifty thousand employees as of January 2022, Facebook is one of the largest and most successful social media platforms, demonstrating that Mark Zuckerberg’s hard work and devotion have paid off.
Who is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates was a timid and quiet youngster who enjoyed spending hours in his room reading books, and he was frequently tormented as a child since he was little for his age. As a result, he grew up to be an introvert and an antisocial child.
His original aim in high school was to teach math, but his friend Paul Allen persuaded him to seek a career in computer programming instead. So, at the age of 13, Bill Gates heeded his counsel and wrote his first computer program.
His parents, however, were dissatisfied with his decision because they wanted him to pursue a legal profession, so he proceeded to Harvard to study law.
However, he found himself spending more time on a computer than in class, which he attributed to the fact that coding makes him happy, whereas law does not. As a result, he had to make a hard choice, he left out of Harvard University to pursue his goal.
In collaboration with Paul Allen, he formed the Microsoft Corporation, an information technology corporation. But running a business was not easy; initially, the company was having financial difficulties.
Some of their major clients filed for bankruptcy. On his way to success, Bill Gates had to overcome numerous challenges and barriers.
One of the major challenges was Windows 1. Bill Gates claimed that following its release, Windows would be installed on 90% of all computers, but he was proven wrong when it was widely panned by critics and only 10% of machines ended up using it, far less than he anticipated.
Although it was a severe failure, it served as a stepping stone for Microsoft, as Windows 2 was introduced after two years of hard effort and long hours.
Microsoft Word and Excel were introduced, and Windows became a major commercial success and revolutionized the globe with their introduction. Bill Gates’ prediction came true, with Windows accounting for 90% of all PCs.
He became a billionaire at the age of 31 and the world’s richest person eight years later. Not only that he also contributed to the well-being of the people by donating more than $45 billion through his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Main Differences Between Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates
1. Mark Zuckerberg became Billionaire at a younger age at 23 as compared to Bill Gates who became a Billionaire at the age of 31.
2. Mark Zuckerberg created a communication medium Facebook whereas; Bill Gates created Microsoft which is a PC (Personal Computer) Software.
3. Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook in 2004 whereas Bill Gates launch Microsoft in 1975.
4. Mark Zuckerberg is active since 2004 whereas, Bill Gates is active since 1972.
5 Mark Zuckerberg is the winner of the Axel Springer Award, whereas Bill Gates has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)
Last Updated : 16 August, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
