The Steve Ballmer Interview
Acquired2 Kesä 2025

The Steve Ballmer Interview

We sit down with Steve Ballmer, the legendary former Microsoft CEO and owner of the LA Clippers, for an epic conversation covering his 34 years at Microsoft. Steve listened to our Microsoft episodes and had some thoughts to share — and boy, did he deliver. Steve takes us point-by-point through the original IBM DOS deal that started everything, how he built Microsoft's enterprise business from scratch, and offers his candid reflections on missing mobile and search. We also cover the story behind “developers, developers, developers”, the complexities of his relationship with Bill Gates (including a year where they didn't speak), and why he ultimately decided to step down as CEO. Plus, we learn why Steve has held onto his Microsoft stock through it all — giving him arguably the best investment track record in the world over the last 10 years with his net worth growing from $20B to $130B since leaving. And of course, we couldn't resist also talking about his other passion: the Clippers and Intuit Dome. Hit play and get ready to experience the patented Steve Ballmer energy and fun on full display!

Sponsors:

Links:


More Acquired!

© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLC


‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

Jaksot(213)

CAA (with Michael Ovitz)

CAA (with Michael Ovitz)

Season 9 ends at the beginning — with the man who changed Hollywood forever and wrote the blueprint for A16Z’s upending of Silicon Valley a generation later, Michael Ovitz and his “Dream Factory”, Cre...

21 Joulu 20211h 52min

FTX (with Sam Bankman-Fried & Mario Gabriele)

FTX (with Sam Bankman-Fried & Mario Gabriele)

Note: This episode was published on Dec 14, 2021, approximately a year before FTX’s subsequent meltdown. The apparent negligence, fraud and self-dealing at FTX has given us much to reflect on after we...

15 Joulu 20211h 36min

7 Powers with Hamilton Helmer

7 Powers with Hamilton Helmer

You've heard us talk about him every episode for the past two years... but until now most of you have never actually heard us talk to him! We've remastered our first, canonical interview with Hamilton...

8 Joulu 20211h 4min

Not Boring (with Packy McCormick)

Not Boring (with Packy McCormick)

When does a creator become a company? Who says that media companies — or venture firms — have to be organizations? How high is the ceiling on one person + the internet? Acquired has the answers and th...

3 Joulu 20212h 47min

Complexity Investing & Semiconductors (with NZS Capital)

Complexity Investing & Semiconductors (with NZS Capital)

Of our 65+ sources for the TSMC episode, one stood above the rest: a wonderful Knowledge Project episode with Brinton Johns and Jon Bathgate of NZS Capital laying out the state of the semiconductor ma...

3 Marras 20211h 44min

Standard Oil Part II

Standard Oil Part II

We bring the epic saga of Standard Oil and John D. Rockefeller to a close (for now) with two of history's greatest second acts: Rockefeller's pioneering of modern philanthropy (and really modern life ...

18 Loka 20212h 23min

Michael Mauboussin Master Class — Moats, Skill, Luck, Decision Making and a Whole Lot More

Michael Mauboussin Master Class — Moats, Skill, Luck, Decision Making and a Whole Lot More

We sit down with the one & only Michael Mauboussin to dive deep into his incredible body of work: untangling skill and luck, measuring moats, persistence of returns in venture capital, decision making...

5 Loka 20211h 25min

Standard Oil Part I

Standard Oil Part I

It's time. We dive into the *original* American capitalist mega winner, Standard Oil, and its legendary founder John D. Rockefeller. This company and man almost defy characterization -- Elon, Bezos, G...

22 Syys 20212h 14min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-sisalto-kuntoon
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
rss-lahtijat
rss-startup-ministerio
inderespodi
pomojen-suusta
rss-rahamania
rss-h-asselmoilanen
herrasmieshakkerit
taloudellinen-mielenrauha
sijoituspodi
rss-vaikuttavan-opettajan-vierella
rss-seuraava-potilas
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
bakkari-tarinoita-tapahtumien-takahuoneista
rss-tyoelamasta-podcast