COMPANYHISTORIES

Portugal

Companies based in Portugal, and the events that shaped them.

9companies1913–1994founding years9still active0no longer operating
§ 01

Portugal companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedMadeira Wine Company, S.A.
1913
TechnologyFord's moving assembly line transforms factory production.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1916
EconomyPiggly Wiggly opens the first self-service grocery store.
FoundedBanco Espírito Santo e Comercial de Lisboa S.A.
1920
FoundedCorticeira Amorim, Sociedade Gestora de Participaço es Sociais, S.A.
1922
1925
EconomyThe Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting from Nashville.
1927
TechnologyThe Jazz Singer ushers in the era of sound films.
TechnologyLindbergh flies the Atlantic solo, and aviation captures the public.
1928
TechnologyPenicillin is discovered, opening the age of antibiotics.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1931
EconomyThe Empire State Building rises in just over a year.
1933
EconomyThe first drive-in movie theater opens in New Jersey.
1937
EconomyThe Golden Gate Bridge opens as the world's longest suspension span.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedTAP
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1946
TechnologyENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1955
EconomyMcDonald's franchising begins, remaking fast food.
EconomyDisneyland opens and invents the modern theme park.
1956
TechnologyThe first transatlantic telephone cable opens.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.
1969
TechnologyARPANET, the internet's precursor, goes live.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedBRISA Auto-estradas de Portugal S.A.
1972
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedElectricidade de Portugal, S.A.FoundedPETR & OLEOS DE PORTUGAL S.A.
1976
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
TechnologyThe first US in-vitro fertilization baby is born.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedBanco Comercial Português, SA
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedPortugal Telecom SGPS S.A.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
1999
TechnologyNapster ignites the digital disruption of recorded music.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
TechnologyGPS opens to civilian use, turning location into a utility.
2002
EconomyThe euro enters circulation across the eurozone.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Madeira Wine Company, S.A. →
Active · founded 1913 · Madeira
Madeira Wine Company, S.A.
Banco Espírito Santo e Comercial de Lisboa S.A. →
Active · founded 1920 · Portugal
With total assets of US$15.6 billion, Banco Espírito Santo e Comercial de Lisboa S.A.
Corticeira Amorim, Sociedade Gestora de Participaço es Sociais, S.A. →
Active · founded 1922 · Portugal
Corticeira Amorim, Sociedade Gestora de Participaço es Sociais, S.A.
TAP →
Active · founded 1945 · Portugal
Lisbon-based TAP--Air Portugal Transportes Aéreos Portugueses S.A.
BRISA Auto-estradas de Portugal S.A. →
Active · founded 1972 · Portugal
BRISA Auto-estradas de Portugal S.A.
Electricidade de Portugal, S.A. →
Active · founded 1976 · Portugal
Electricidade de Portugal, S.A.
PETR & OLEOS DE PORTUGAL S.A. →
Active · founded 1976 · Portugal
Although involved in exploration for crude oil both at home and abroad and in other oil-related activities, Petr &…
Banco Comercial Português, SA →
Active · founded 1985 · Portugal
Banco Comercial Português, SA (BCP) is Portugal's largest financial institution.
Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A. →
Active · founded 1994 · Portugal
Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A.
Build It Today

How would you build this today?

Each week we rebuild one of these stories with today's tools and capital.