Top 10 Companies Owned by Elon Musk: A Glimpse into the Visionary’s Empire

Welcome back to the weekly dive into fascinating business landscapes! If you’ve ever wondered just how wide Elon Musk’s influence stretches beyond headline-grabbing rockets and electric cars, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re exploring the top 10 companies linked to Musk, shedding light on the eclectic mix of ventures that fuel his relentless drive to innovate and reshape the future.

From space exploration to neurotechnology, Elon Musk’s portfolio is as diverse as it is ambitious. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, investor, or simply curious about one of today’s most talked-about entrepreneurs, this rundown will give you a clear snapshot of where Musk’s business passions lie.

1. Tesla, Inc.

Starting with the most famous name, Tesla is the pioneering force in electric vehicles and clean energy solutions. Beyond just building sleek EVs, Tesla is pushing the boundaries in battery technology, solar energy with its Solar Roof, and even energy storage with Powerwall. It’s Musk’s flagship in sustainable transportation, and it’s hard to imagine a list about his companies without it.

2. SpaceX

Elon Musk’s venture to revolutionize space travel, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), is closer than ever to making interplanetary life a reality. From reusable rockets to Starship development, SpaceX isn’t just about satellites and space station resupply missions—it’s about boldly betting on humanity’s multiplanetary future.

3. Neuralink

Neuralink is a glimpse into Musk’s futuristic aspirations in neuroscience. The company is developing implantable brain–machine interfaces aimed at treating neurological disorders and one day potentially merging human consciousness with artificial intelligence. It’s as sci-fi as it gets, but with serious research powering the dream.

4. The Boring Company

What started as a cheeky idea to reduce traffic congestion through underground tunnels has evolved into a serious infrastructure venture. The Boring Company focuses on creating efficient tunnel systems, such as the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, aiming to transform urban transportation in innovative ways.

5. OpenAI (early involvement)

Although Musk stepped back from active management, he was instrumental in OpenAI’s founding—a research organization advancing artificial intelligence in a safe, beneficial manner. OpenAI is the brain behind projects like GPT and DALL·E, making Musk a key player in the AI revolution’s early chapters.

6. SolarCity (now part of Tesla)

Once an independent company founded by Musk’s cousins but heavily championed by Elon, SolarCity specialized in solar energy services. It was later merged into Tesla, which helped expand Musk’s ambitions for sustainable energy under one roof.

7. Starlink

Technically a division within SpaceX, Starlink represents Musk’s push to connect the globe through satellite internet. Especially relevant today, Starlink aims to provide high-speed broadband in underserved and remote areas—bridging digital divides worldwide.

8. Zip2 (historical gem)

Before Tesla and SpaceX, Musk co-founded Zip2, a city guide software company sold to Compaq for almost $300 million. Though no longer active, it laid the foundation of Musk’s entrepreneurial journey—proof that every giant empire starts somewhere.

9. X.com / PayPal

Musk’s early foray into online payments was through X.com, which eventually became PayPal after a merger. While he’s no longer involved, PayPal’s massive success marks a critical milestone in his business evolution, playing a huge role in shaping digital financial transactions.

10. Twitter (X Corp.)

The latest and most headline-grabbing acquisition is Twitter, which Musk took private and rebranded under X Corp. His vision is to transform the platform into an “everything app,” aiming to expand beyond social media into payments, services, and more. The world is watching closely to see how this experiment unfolds.

Elon Musk’s portfolio presents a fascinating mosaic of forward-thinking ventures, each with its own flavor and ambition but all tied together by a desire to disrupt the status quo. Whether it’s making humanity multi-planetary, revolutionizing transport, advancing AI, or connecting the world digitally, Musk’s footprint is impossible to ignore.

Thanks for joining me on this whirlwind tour of Elon Musk’s top enterprises. Stay tuned for next week when we’ll dig into the trends shaping clean energy investments—and what they mean for our planet and pocketbooks.

Until then, keep your curiosity fired up and your ambitions high!