Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977 with Bob Miner and Ed Oates, pioneering relational databases inspired by Edgar Codd’s paper. From near-bankruptcy in 1990, he drove aggressive growth via IPO in 1986, Sun Microsystems acquisition, and cloud dominance. Now Oracle’s CTO, his relentless vision transformed enterprise tech into an AI powerhouse, amassing a $245 billion fortune.
The $62B sex toy market thrives on e-commerce privacy, app-enabled teledildonics, and couple-focused innovations amid stigma’s fade. U.S.-led with 33% share, China manufactures vibrators to dolls at 8.69% CAGR to $62.7B by 2030. AI SexTech and millennial openness fuel high-margin pleasure commerce.
The Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide chokepoint between Iran and Oman, channels 21M barrels of oil daily, 21% of global supply, plus 20% LNG from Qatar. No viable bypasses exist for most Gulf exports, risking $100+ crude spikes if disrupted. Asia absorbs 84%, making it energy security’s fragile lifeline.
Adrian Zecha founded Aman Resorts in 1988 with Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand, redefining elite hospitality through intimate, minimalist retreats blending into exotic locales. Indonesian-born hotelier, after Regent Hotels success, self-funded the 40-room pioneer when banks balked, charging five times local rates yet drawing global elites. His philosophy of serene luxury, cultural immersion, and flawless privacy birthed an ultra-exclusive empire spanning 23 countries.
Peter Diamandis, founder of XPRIZE and Singularity University, architects tomorrow through exponential tech and longevity vision. A trained physician turned space entrepreneur, he launched 25+ ventures including Planetary Resources and BOLD Capital Partners, betting billions on AI, biotech, and human healthspan extension. His $101M XPRIZE Healthspan targets reversing age-related decline by 2030, predicting “longevity escape velocity” where science outpaces aging via cellular reprogramming and precision medicine.
Shinjiro Torii founded Suntory in 1899 in Osaka, starting with imported wines before creating Akadama Port Wine in 1907 to suit Japanese tastes. Defying skeptics, he built Yamazaki Distillery in 1923—Japan’s first malt whisky facility—hiring Masataka Taketsuru and enduring decades of trials. His “yatte minaharon” spirit birthed global icons like Hibiki and Yamazaki, elevating Japanese whisky to world acclaim.