When you think of Jeff Bezos’ investments, Amazon (AMZN -1.35%) is probably the first company that comes to mind. That has, of course, been his most successful venture. But the billionaire entrepreneur has also built a diversified portfolio that includes a long list of companies and projects. In this guide, we'll go over several of Bezos' current positions and what investing lessons we can learn from him.
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Jeff Bezos' current positions
Jeff Bezos' current positions
Bezos manages his portfolio through the investment firm he founded, Bezos Expeditions. He currently holds positions in dozens of companies. Here are some of the most notable.
| Company | Funding date | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | 2011 (Series B) | Online platform where guests can book stays and experiences |
| Amazon | 1994 (Founded) | Online retailer that also offers advertising and web hosting |
| Basecamp | 2006 (Series A) | Web software company that provides project management tools |
| Blue Origin | 2000 (Founded) | Aerospace and defense company seeking to enable living and working in space |
| Business Insider | 2013 (Venture) | Financial and business news website |
| Cloud Paper | 2022 (Venture) | Subscription-based online retailer offering tree-free toilet paper and paper towels made from bamboo |
| Everfi | 2012 (Series B), 2016 (Series C), 2017 (Series D) | Education technology company offering cloud-based digital courses |
| La Haus | 2021 (Series B) | Online real estate marketplace operating in Colombia and Mexico |
| Nextdoor | 2013 (Series B) | Social networking service for neighborhoods |
| Overtime | 2021 (Series C), 2022 (Series D) | Sports media company that distributes sports content on social media and sells apparel. |
| Pilot | 2021 (Series C) | Cloud-based accounting service for startups and small businesses |
| Realworld | 2021 (Seed) | Mobile app designed to help users navigate adulthood |
| Remitly | 2012 (Seed), 2014 (Series A), 2016 (Series C) | Online money transfer service offering domestic and international transfers |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 2008 (Series B) | Social media company |
| Uber | 2011 (Series B) | Technology company providing ride-hailing, food delivery, and package delivery services |
In case you're wondering about his ownership of Amazon, Bezos has nearly one billion shares, which is close to 10% of the company. Even with all his other investments, his Amazon stock still makes up the vast majority of his portfolio.
How to invest like Jeff Bezos
How to invest like Jeff Bezos
Bezos's success with his portfolio is proof that investing fundamentals work for everyone, including famous investors and one of the richest people in the world. Here are a few important tips you can follow to invest like Jeff Bezos:
- Build a diversified portfolio.
- Be a long-term investor.
- Invest in modern, cutting-edge companies.
Now, let's take a closer look at that advice and how Bezos has applied it to his own investments.
Build a diversified portfolio
The first thing that jumps out about Bezos's investment portfolio is how diverse it is. It's heavy on technology companies, but even those companies don't all occupy the same niche. Bezos has invested in social networks, real estate platforms, sports media, education, and much more. This gives him exposure to a range of industries.
One of the oldest pieces of investing wisdom is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Your portfolio should have a variety of companies, typically 25 to 30, across several industries. This gives you a better chance of picking a big winner that outperforms the market, and your portfolio won't be overly reliant on any single company or market sector.
Be a long-term investor
Bezos invests in companies for the long haul. Several of his current positions are companies he first invested in five to 10 years ago or longer. He has also invested multiple times in some companies, and he has stuck with investments through ups and downs.
As an investor, it's always important to take a big-picture perspective. This is especially true during market volatility, like in 2022. When you invest your money, buy companies that you plan to hold for at least five years, and don't let a market downturn cause you to panic sell.
Invest in modern, cutting-edge companies
What's interesting about Bezos' portfolio is his recent shift towards investing in companies that cater to the younger generation. Realworld helps users navigate adulthood. Overtime's target market is Gen Z sports fans. Cloud Paper focuses on sustainability, which has proven to be particularly important for young consumers.
Consider investing in companies designed for a younger audience. As Gen Z and millennials build their buying power, companies that cater to them could end up being great growth stocks.
Related investing topics
The bottom line
Jeff Bezos' investments demonstrate all the different industries the Amazon founder is involved in. Many of them are private companies, so you can't invest in them yourself, although that could change in the future. But seeing how Bezos invests his money can serve as good inspiration as you decide how to invest your own.
John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
