In 1997, Apple was close to collapsing. The company was losing money, its stock was falling, and its future looked uncertain. At that moment, Microsoft stepped in with a $150 million investment. It surprised many, given that the two companies had been rivals for years.
The agreement went beyond the investment. Microsoft promised to continue developing Office for Mac and Apple made Internet Explorer the default browser on its devices. In return, Apple dropped a lawsuit and gave Microsoft non-voting shares. It was a business deal that helped both sides.
This investment gave Apple the time and resources to recover. Soon after, Steve Jobs introduced the iMac, followed by products like the iPod and iPhone. That $150 million turned out to be one of the most important moves in tech history. It helped Apple survive and eventually become one of the most valuable companies in the world.
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Media: Apple
