Founding the WORLD’S First Common Stock Company
Born in 1551, Hendrick Buyck co-founded the Dutch East India Company, investing 12,000 florins. In 1594, upon its founding, Hendrick Buyck served as managing director of the V.O.C. (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie).
The Dutch East India Company, which brought porcelain, spices, and exotic goods to Europe, was the first business entity to connect the East and West; indeed, it was the first common stock multinational corporation.