Companies established in 2007

Companies established in 2007 represent a diverse cohort of enterprises founded during a period of significant technological transition and on the eve of a major global financial crisis. This year saw the birth of pioneering firms in social media, mobile technology, and renewable energy, alongside resilient consumer brands and financial innovators. The legacy of these 2007-founded companies is profound, with many growing to become dominant players in the 21st century economy, shaping industries from e-commerce to digital entertainment.

Notable technology companies

The technology sector in 2007 was revolutionized by several key startups. Dropbox was founded by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi, introducing a streamlined cloud storage solution that would become ubiquitous. In mobile app development, Appcelerator launched, providing tools for cross-platform software creation. The year also saw the founding of GitHub by Tom Preston-Werner, Chris Wanstrath, and PJ Hyett, which would fundamentally transform collaborative software development through its Git-based repository hosting. Meanwhile, Palantir Technologies, co-founded by Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, and others, began its work in data analysis for government and financial clients. In hardware, Raspberry Pi was established in the United Kingdom to promote basic computer science education.

Major retail and consumer goods companies

Several enduring retail and direct-to-consumer brands emerged in 2007. The fashion retailer ModCloth was founded, capitalizing on the growing trend of vintage clothing sold online. In the beauty industry, Birchbox pioneered the subscription box model, delivering samples of cosmetics and grooming products. The athleisure brand Lululemon Athletica, though founded earlier, launched its initial public offering on the NASDAQ this year, marking a major milestone. The online marketplace for handmade goods, Etsy, which was founded in 2005, also saw significant growth and recognition during this period, setting the stage for the expansion of artisanal e-commerce.

Significant financial services firms

The financial landscape of 2007 included new entrants in both traditional and disruptive finance. Square was founded by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, introducing its iconic mobile credit card reader and point-of-sale system for small businesses. In the United Kingdom, the challenger bank Metro Bank was granted its banking license, though it would not open until 2010. The peer-to-peer lending platform LendingClub, founded in 2006, launched its online operations to the public, facilitating loans between individuals. These companies emerged just before the financial crisis of 2007–2008, which would dramatically reshape the global banking sector.

Prominent media and entertainment companies

Media and entertainment saw the rise of digital-native companies. The streaming service Netflix, founded earlier, launched its groundbreaking streaming media service in 2007, moving beyond its DVD-by-mail model. In gaming, Riot Games was established, later creating the globally influential multiplayer online battle arena title League of Legends. The digital media company Vox Media was also founded, eventually launching properties like The Verge and SB Nation. Additionally, the film production and distribution company Annapurna Pictures was founded by Megan Ellison, focusing on director-driven projects.

Important transportation and logistics companies

Innovation in transportation and logistics began to accelerate in 2007. While Uber was founded in 2009, the foundational concept for modern ride-hailing was being developed. More directly, the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla delivered its first car, the Roadster, marking a pivotal moment for the automotive industry. In aviation, the low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle established its long-haul subsidiary Norwegian Long Haul, expanding transatlantic budget travel. The logistics and supply chain software firm Flexport was also conceived during this time, though formally launched later.

Other notable companies by industry

Companies across other sectors also took root in 2007. In biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Moderna was founded to pioneer messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, a field that would later prove critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. The spaceflight company SpaceX, founded earlier by Elon Musk, achieved its first successful launch of the Falcon 1 rocket in 2008, following development work in 2007. In food and beverages, the plant-based meat company Beyond Meat was established, aiming to create alternatives to animal protein. The renewable energy firm Sunrun was founded in San Francisco, focusing on residential solar power installations.