*By Carlo Versano* Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates and went on to become one of the country's most prolific philanthropists and technologists, died Monday at 65. His company Vulcan released a [statement](http://www.vulcan.com/News/Articles/2018/Statement-on-Paul-G-Allen) saying the cause was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which Allen had battled on and off for years. Allen and Gates famously started Microsoft ($MSFT) in 1975 after dropping out of college and partnering to write computer code for early PCs. The break that would elevate their tiny company ー whose name was a *portmanteau* of "microcomputer software" that Allen came up with ー and make both men fabulously wealthy came when IBM ($IBM) chose it as the software supplier for that company's first personal computer. Allen left Microsoft in the early 80s but remained on the board until 2000. Current CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement: "As co-founder of Microsoft, in his own quiet and persistent way, he created magical products, experiences and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world." As Allen became one of the world's richest people ー Forbes [estimates](https://www.forbes.com/profile/paul-allen/#7bd56f414417) his estate to be worth at least $20 billion ー he became known for his charitable largesse, nowhere more so than in Seattle, where he lived. He also bought sports teams ー he was owner of the NFL's Seahawks and the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers ー turning them into billion-dollar franchises, opened cultural institutions, donated to local STEM non-profits, and re-developed a Seattle neighborhood that is now home to a booming science and tech industry, including the headquarters of Amazon ($AMZN). He was regularly [listed](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2018/10/15/the-greatest-givers-meet-americas-top-philanthropists/#42fc98bd1af1) among America's most generous givers. Allen is survived by his sister Jody, who [said](http://www.vulcan.com/News/Articles/2018/Statement-on-Paul-G-Allen): " While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend."

Share:
More In Technology
'Diall' App To Connect People With Specialized Support
Two friends have joined forces to come up with an app dedicated to making mental health more approachable and to provide users with the tools needed to improve their mental health and overall well-being. Co-Founders of the Dial App Jonah Salita and Marcel Johnson, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Microsoft U.S. President Talks What International Women’s Day Means to Her
On this International Women’s Day, Deb Cupp, president of Microsoft U.S., joined Cheddar News to talk about the implementation of her pillars to extend the company's culture, such as acting with care and putting the team first. "What I like about the pillars is they're very simple, so it's easy for us to think about how they show up every day in our lives," Cupp said.
Spectrum Labs CMO on Building Trust to Create Safe Metaverse Communities
The growth of the metaverse is bringing new challenges to managing safe, diverse communities. Helping Cheddar kick off Women's History Month, Tiffany Xingyu Wang, chief marketing officer for AI-powered content moderation company Spectrum Labs, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss how platforms can help create safer, more inclusive online communities in the metaverse and about her own experience as a woman in technology. "Trust is really the new digital transformation, and it should not be a siloed task solely belonging to chief security officers, to privacy officers, or the people who were given the task of trust and safety," she said. "It should be a priority for all the C suite and a whole company to rally around."
Future of the E-Boating Industry; Making Smart Socks a Reality
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Vision Marine Technologies CEO discusses how e-boats will play a role in the fight against the climate crisis; Lasso CEO breaks down how the design behind these compression socks can prevent injuries and improve performance; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'The Tombs Of Egypt.'
Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Business Aspirations
Catriona Campbell, CTIO, UK and Ireland, EY, joins Cheddar News to discuss how business leaders can bridge the gap between their technology investments and their aspirations, and breaks down the human aspects of A.I.
Load More