Oracle(US:ORCL) 凤凰网财经·2025-09-14 13:12Core Viewpoint - The article narrates the life and career of Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, highlighting his unconventional journey, aggressive business tactics, and recent significant achievements in the tech industry, particularly a major deal with OpenAI that boosted Oracle's market value and Ellison's personal wealth dramatically [50][51]. Group 1: Early Life and Career - Larry Ellison was born to a teenage mother and raised by his uncle and aunt, which shaped his independent and rebellious character [3][5]. - He struggled academically after the death of his adoptive mother, eventually dropping out of college and working various jobs in tech before founding Oracle [7][8]. - In 1977, Ellison co-founded Oracle with two partners, initially focusing on software development [8][10]. Group 2: Business Strategies and Growth - Ellison's bold and often deceptive marketing strategies helped Oracle secure contracts with major clients like the CIA and the U.S. Navy, despite initial product shortcomings [14][16][18]. - The company experienced rapid growth, achieving 100% annual growth for 12 consecutive years, largely due to Ellison's aggressive sales tactics and internal competition [22][23]. - By 1986, Oracle went public with a market value of $270 million, but faced stiff competition from Microsoft, which launched SQL Server shortly after [25][28]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Tactics - Ellison's rivalry with Microsoft intensified as he publicly criticized the company and its products, even engaging in corporate espionage to undermine them [30][31][40]. - His management style was characterized by high pressure and a ruthless approach to competition, often leading to high turnover among executives [43][44]. - Despite controversies, Oracle's reputation improved in the 1990s as product quality increased, leading to a significant market share [22][23]. Group 4: Recent Developments - In September 2023, Oracle announced a groundbreaking $300 billion computing power procurement agreement with OpenAI, marking a significant milestone in cloud computing [50]. - Following this announcement, Oracle's stock surged by 43%, significantly increasing its market capitalization and Ellison's net worth, briefly making him the world's richest person [50][51]. - Ellison has also engaged in philanthropy, committing to charitable causes and participating in initiatives to eradicate diseases [51].