The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Behind Major American Companies (Infographic) More than 40 percent of businesses on the U.S. Fortune 500 List are launched by immigrants or children of immigrants.

By Rose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

davidevison | Getty Images

Much of the time, we overlook the origins of some of our favorite companies and brands. And with all of the confusion caused by President Donald Trump's recent immigration ban, people may not realize how much of the items they own or services they use can be credited to foreign-born entrepreneurs.

Related: Here's How to Fix the H-1B Visa Program to Drive Startup Growth

More than 40 percent of companies on the U.S. Fortune 500 list were launched by immigrants or children of immigrants. No one can deny the success and impact of ecommerce website eBay -- a credit to the ingenuity of its French founder Pierre Morad Omidyar. And how'd you find this article? Chances are through a Google search, whose co-founder Sergey Brin was born in Russia.

Intel, AT&T, Tesla, Yahoo!, Pfizer, Huffington Post -- check out Free Enterprise's infographic below to check out more companies launched by foreigners.

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

AI Can Now Apply to 1,000 Jobs While You Sleep. Here's How Many Interviews an AI Bot Creator Got in One Month.

One job seeker created an AI bot to help them land interviews — and it worked.

Business News

Microsoft Is Set to Cut Jobs as Big Tech Layoffs Surge Into the New Year

In 2024, there were around 151,484 employees laid off from 542 tech companies.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Science & Technology

2025 AI Innovation Insights — Lessons Learned From Over 127 Global Speaking Sessions

As an AI keynote speaker, I've learned that the organizations leading with AI aren't waiting for the perfect strategy — they're taking action, testing and adapting at an accelerated pace. The future of AI is now, and success comes from continuous experimentation, reskilling and embracing change rather than waiting for the perfect solution.

Marketing

What CMOs Need to Know About AI Adoption in Marketing Teams

AI is reshaping marketing, but there's a major disconnect: CMOs are embracing AI-driven strategies while entry-level marketers remain skeptical. Can companies close the gap before falling behind?