Blackstone CEO recollects company journey on 40-year anniversary

Company Overview - The company was founded 40 years ago with an initial capital of $400,000 and has grown to a market capitalization of approximately $187 billion, peaking at $240 billion [2][4] - The firm has expanded its business model beyond private equity to include various new money management areas, maintaining a strategic focus on diversification [4][5] Business Strategy - The company has developed a broad platform with 85 strategies, growing from a single strategy, and currently manages nearly $1.3 trillion in assets [6][7] - The firm emphasizes careful selection of new products, introducing about two new products per year over the last 40 years, ensuring they are beneficial for customers and performance [7] Data Center Investment - A significant recent initiative includes becoming a major owner of data centers, which is seen as a crucial area for growth, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence [8][10] - The company acquired QTS for $10 billion in 2021, and this investment has reportedly increased in value, now being 14 times larger than at the time of purchase [11]