Quiz: Do you know the country these companies are from?

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Months after Japan surrendered to end World War II, a little company named Sony was founded with about 20 workers. Over the next seven decades, Sony evolved into an electronics giant, helping to boost Japan's economy. Today, one of Sony's biggest sellers is the PlayStation video game console—the PlayStation 5 Pro hit stores in November 2024.

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Aldi is popular throughout Europe, but even if you've never shopped at one in the U.S., you may have stopped into one of Aldi's grocery store cousins. Trader Joe's, like Aldi, is owned by the Albrecht family. The Albrecht family purchased Trader Joe's in 1979.

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Nokia is known for its cellular phones, but the Finnish company began as a paper mill. Nokia, now a publicly-traded company, has also produced tires, rubber boots, and other products. Although American football isn't all that popular in Finland, Nokia sponsored the Sugar Bowl for more than 10 years.

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Chinese tech company Huawei was founded in 1987 by a former officer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, according to NPR.

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BHP's roots trace back to a small tin mine in 1851. BHP expanded into the Gulf of Mexico 166 years later, further solidifying its position as a global leader in mining and petroleum.

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Founded in 1938, Samsung, a name synonymous with electronics, once exported dried fish. Today, Samsung is recognizable by its Galaxy phones and as a sponsor for the Olympics.

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As the Cold War drew to a close, the U.S.S.R. Gas Industry Ministry became Gazprom. The company has come under scrutiny for its monopoly-like control over European gas markets.

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Michelin was founded in 1889, and for over 135 years, has been one of the most popular brands in the tire industry. At the turn of the 20th century, Michelin began publishing guides for travelers; today, being a Michelin-rated restaurant is one of the highest honors an establishment can receive.

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Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelancers. Founded in 2010, Fiverr is one of many companies getting in on the emerging gig economy. Fiverr is based in Tel Aviv, which has become an international hub for tech startups.

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Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore and nickel. It has faced serious controversy over its mining operations, with allegations of human rights violations.

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In 1917, Konosuke Matsushita produced his first sockets and installation fans in Osaka. One century later, Matsushita's Panasonic is one of the most revered names in electronics. Matsushita's brother-in-law, Toshio lue, with whom he made those first sockets, later founded Sanyo Electric.

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Jarritos, the familiar, colorful soft drinks that pair well with tacos and burritos, was first introduced in 1950.

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In 1863, a pair of dye salespeople founded Bayer. Soon, Bayer workers expanded their range of chemicals and became a world leader in pharmaceutical sales. In 2018, Bayer merged with agrochemical giant Monsanto.

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Giorgio Armani's iconic fashion brand launched in 1975. When Richard Gere sported Armani from head to toe in "American Gigolo," Armani styles burst onto the American scene.

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Although Tata may not have the same recognition in the U.S. as Toyota, Volvo, or other international automakers, they have been in business as a public limited company since 1945. Tata has forged many notable relationships with other automakers; first Daimler-Benz, and then in 2008, Tata acquired Jaguar Land Rover.

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Twenty-one years ago, a former English teacher and 18 colleagues found Alibaba. One of those co-founders, Joseph Tsai, is now one of the company's most public faces. In 2019, Tsai agreed to purchase the Brooklyn Nets for a reported $2.35 billion.

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In 1926, Fage began as a small, family-run dairy shop in Athens. Fage yogurts finally reached the U.S. in the 1990s, and they now operate a huge production facility in upstate New York.

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Dangote is one of Africa's largest conglomerates, producing a range of products including cement, sugar, flour, petrochemicals, and many others. Founder Aliko Dangote is reportedly Africa's richest man, worth about $25 billion.

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Swedish textile mainstay H&M began selling clothing in 1947. By 2000, H&M reached the U.S. with a flagship store in Manhattan. Soon, Karl Lagerfeld and many other fashion icons began collaborating with the relatively affordable store.

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When Jollibee opened their first Manhattan location in 2018, lines were out the store waiting for fried chicken, spaghetti, and other company staples. Jollibee's chicken joy is beloved by foodies (including the late Anthony Bourdain), as are the sides of gravy served with fries.

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Founded in 1847 by J. C. Jacobsen, Carlsberg has been brewing beer for nearly 180 years. Currently, Carlsberg reaches over 125 markets.

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In 2006, Al Jazeera, which is partly funded by the Qatari government, became a public utility or private corporation. Thus, the newly formed Al Jazeera Media Network was established, and soon the network had 70 bureaus worldwide.

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Tencent was founded in 1998 and has grown into a worldwide leader in media and technology. One of Tencent's more notable partnerships is with the NBA.

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Four years after World War II ended, German inventor Adi Dassler founded Adidas. Over the next 80 years, Adidas' three-stripe layout became one of the most iconic looks in athletic and urban fashion. David Beckham, James Harden, and Aaron Rodgers are among the athletes signed to Adidas sponsorship contracts.

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Nintendo reached worldwide fame in the 1980s thanks to "Super Mario Bros.," but the company was founded almost 100 years earlier. Nintendo first produced playing cards, but made their nut and then some with video games. Nintendo Switch alone has sold over 155 million units, while the newer Nintendo Switch 2 has sold 17 million as of the most recent data.

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The name Vodafone was first announced to the media in 1984; within three years, it became the largest mobile network in the world. Today, Vodafone counts 330 million customers in 15 countries.

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In 1867, Henri Nestlé developed a new infant formula that set his namesake company on its way. By 1904, Nestlé was selling chocolate; today, the Nestlé portfolio includes bottled water, ice cream, and pet care products.

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LG first entered the Korean market in 1947, selling cosmetics. Today, the company is best known for its manufacturing of electronics, with global sales of nearly $67 billion in 2024.

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Reliance manufactures fibers, textiles, petrochemicals, and a range of other products. Founded in the 1970s, Reliance now employs almost 350,000 workers.

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Commonly known as Santander in the U.S., Banco Santander was founded way back in 1857. Spain's Queen Isabella II signed a royal decree that allowed the incorporation of Banco Santander, which was intended to increase trade with Latin America. In 2013, American-based Sovereign Bank became Santander.

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Phillips' initial purpose, in the late 19th century, was to manufacture "incandescent lamps and other electrical products." Today, the Dutch conglomerate has moved past just light bulbs and makes headphones, electric toothbrushes, medical equipment, and much more. In 1979, Phillips introduced the concept of a CD player.

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Anglo American is recognized for mining, investing heavily in minerals and metals. At times, Anglo American has been the world's leading miner of platinum. Sir Ernest Oppenheimer founded the company in 1917.

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Grupo Bimbo, founded in 1945, is home to several notable brands, including Entenmann's, Sara Lee, and Takis. In 2020, Grupo Bimbo added Lender's Bagels to its stable.

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Eugene Schueller founded L'Oréal in 1909. Since then, L'Oréal has become the world's largest cosmetics company. Viola Davis, Helen Mirren, and Celine Dion are some notable names who've modeled in L'Oréal campaigns.

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Chung Ju-Yung, founding chairman of Hyundai, was born in North Korea in 1915. Fifty-two years later, more than a decade after the Korean peninsula was separated into two countries, Chung launched Hyundai Motors. Hyundai morphed into a chaebol—the Korean term for a family-run conglomerate—and now operates luxury department stores.

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Dietrich Mateschitz, inspired by the energy drinks of the Far East, founded Redrel in 1984. In 2024, Reddll sold 12,670 billion cans of its energy drink. The company has expanded to sponsor a diverse range of sporting events and teams.

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Over 25 years ago, Lululemon was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2024, Lululemon's revenue reached $10.6 billion.

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Founded in 1927, Volvo produces automobiles in 18 countries. In 2024, Volvo reported around $49 billion in net sales.

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Not to be confused with outdoorsy sandals, Teva Pharmaceutical was initially called "Assia," an Aramaic word for doctor.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev is a Belgian-headquartered company formed in 2008 from the merger of Belgian-Brazilian InBev and American brewer Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch itself was founded in St. Louis nearly 175 years ago. Today, brands like Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Hoegaarden are all owned by AB InBev.

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Founded in 1920, Mazda was initially a cork company. Mazda's first vehicle was released in 1931, a tricycle truck. According to the Mazda website, the company name is derived from "Ahura Mazda, the god of harmony, intelligence, and wisdom from the earliest civilization in West Asia."

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Thomas Sutherland, a Scotsman working in Hong Kong, sought to create better banking facilities when he launched HSBC in the 1860s. HSBC, which stands for The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, is now traded publicly on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Since 1860, Campari has produced liquors. Brands like Aperol, Grand Marnier, and Wild Turkey now reach over 190 countries.

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Luxury brands Louis Vuitton and Moet Hennessy merged in 1987, but the conglomerate's roots trace back to the 16th century.

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Lenovo launched in 1984 with an initial capital outlay of about $25,000. Two decades later, Lenovo completed its acquisition of IBM, which was one of the world's leading computer companies in 1984. Lenovo also produces smartphones and is traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

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The LEGO Group is world renowned for its colorful plastic bricks, which inspire creativity in people of all ages. Founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932, LEGO's headquarters actually features gigantic yellow bricks and even a slide for employees, making it one of the most playful workplaces in the world.

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UBS' history dates back to 1862, when it was founded as the Bank in Winterthur. In the 1890s, the Swiss Bank Corporation was established. The Union Bank of Switzerland began operations in 1912, following the merger of Winterthur with Toggenburger Bank. In 1998, Swiss Bank Corporation and Union Bank of Switzerland merged to form UBS.

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The 125 S, Ferrari's first car, was built in 1947. In 2019, the film "Ford v Ferrari," which chronicles Ferrari's dominance as a powerful sports car in the racing circuit, received four Academy Award nominations. Even before the release of "Ford v Ferrari," the Italian sports cars have been a symbol of luxury in films for decades. (Remember the desired red car in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"?)

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Billabong, a small surfing company when it was founded in 1973, caught a huge wave when it became publicly traded in 2000. Eventually, Billabong was bought by Quiksilver, another major name in outdoor sports apparel and equipment. Today, Billabong sponsors some of the world's best surfers.

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Ritesh Agarwal was only 19 years old when he founded OYO Hotels in 2013. Now, Agarwal is one of India's youngest billionaires.

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