BlackRock was founded in 1988 by Larry Fink and seven partners in New York City, starting as a risk management and fixed income firm before growing into the world's largest asset manager through systematic acquisitions and organic growth.
The firm manages approximately $11.6 trillion in assets under management as of 2025, serving institutional clients, sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, and retail investors across more than 100 countries.
Headquartered in New York City, BlackRock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker BLK today.
About BlackRock
| Sector | Financial Services |
| Industry | Asset Management |
| CEO | Larry Fink |
| Website | blackrock.com |
| Headquarters | New York City, NY, USA |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Status | Public (NYSE: BLK) |
BlackRock Founders
Larry Fink
Co-Founder & CEO; architect of BlackRock's risk management platform and growth strategy
Robert Kapito
Co-Founder & President; oversees global portfolio management operations
Susan Wagner
Co-Founder & Former Vice Chairman; led business development strategy
Barbara Novick, Ben Golub, Hugh Frater, Ralph Schlosstein, Keith Anderson
Co-Founders (1988); each brought complementary expertise in fixed income, risk, and operations
BlackRock History
-
1988
Larry Fink and seven partners found BlackRock in New York, operating initially from a single room at the Blackstone Group with $5 million in seed capital.
-
1999
BlackRock lists on the NYSE, raising $126 million in its IPO and beginning its transformation from a private fixed income boutique into a publicly accountable global firm.
-
2006
BlackRock merges with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers in a $9.8 billion deal, vaulting it into the top tier of global asset managers and adding significant equity capabilities.
-
2009
BlackRock acquires Barclays Global Investors for $13.5 billion, gaining control of the iShares ETF business and becoming the undisputed world's largest asset manager overnight.
-
2024
BlackRock acquires Global Infrastructure Partners for $12.5 billion and agrees to buy Preqin, expanding aggressively into alternative assets and private markets data.
FAQs
-
Is BlackRock an American company?
Yes. BlackRock is an American asset management company founded in 1988 and headquartered in New York City. It is incorporated in Delaware and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It operates globally but is US-headquartered and founded. -
Who owns BlackRock?
BlackRock is publicly traded. Its largest shareholders are Vanguard Group (~8%), BlackRock itself (~6% treasury shares), and State Street. PNC Financial Services previously held a major stake but sold most of it in 2020 and 2021. -
When did BlackRock come out?
BlackRock was founded in 1988 by Larry Fink and seven partners in New York City. It listed on the NYSE in 1999. The 2009 Barclays Global Investors acquisition made it the world's largest asset manager. -
Who made the BlackRock logo?
BlackRock's current logo — a black wordmark with a stylized shield icon — was developed through external brand design work. It was updated as part of a broader corporate identity refresh following the firm's major post-2009 expansion.