Over 400 companies on the Fortune 500 list were established by individuals who immigrated or are descendants of immigrants.
The US economy is witnessing a significant shift, with immigrant-founded Fortune 500 companies playing a crucial role in its growth. According to a new report by the American Immigration Council, nearly half (around 46%) of these prestigious companies were founded by immigrants or their children [1][2][3][4]. These companies, spanning sectors such as professional services, manufacturing, and more, generate an estimated $8.1 trillion in annual revenue.
In addition, the US Latino economy is experiencing rapid growth. Over the past five years, Latino-owned businesses have grown by 44%, generating over $650 billion annually [1]. This growth is particularly evident in industries like construction and manufacturing, which support job creation and domestic economic capacity.
Immigrants themselves contribute disproportionately to the US economy. They account for approximately 17% of the national GDP, generating $3.3 trillion in economic output nationally [5]. In California, a significant contributor to this figure, immigrants constitute 32% of the labor force and 39% of entrepreneurs, generating substantial consumer spending power of $383 billion [5].
The strategic implications for leaders across the economy are clear due to the growth of the US Latino economy. If trends continue, the US Latino GDP could rank fourth in the world by 2029, surpassing both Japan and Germany [6]. In fact, if these immigrant-founded companies were one country, they would have been the third-largest economy in the world [7].
The 2025 Official LDC US Latino GDP Report, now in its eighth edition, was published by the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC). Sol Trujillo, Co-Founder and Chairman of the LDC, stated that Latinos in the US are propelling the economy [8].
In summary, the data highlights the significant economic contributions of immigrant entrepreneurship and Latino economic activity as foundational pillars of US economic strength and innovation. However, anti-immigrant policies risk undermining this engine by destabilizing immigrant communities and reducing their economic participation [1][5].
| Economic Contribution | Key Figures | |-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Fortune 500 companies founded by immigrants/their children | ~46-50% of Fortune 500; $8.1 trillion revenue[1][2][3][4] | | Latino-owned business growth (2018-2023) | +44%; $650 billion in revenue annually[1] | | Immigrants' contribution to U.S. GDP | 17% of GDP, $3.3 trillion output nationally[5] | | Immigrants' role in CA economy | 32% labor force; 39% entrepreneurs; $383B spending power[5] |
- The economic impact of immigrant-founded Fortune 500 companies extends beyond the corporate sector, contributing significantly to the overall revenue generation of the US economy.
- The growth of the US Latino economy, driven by the expansion of Latino-owned businesses, is not only creating jobs domestically but also has the potential to rank the US Latino GDP fourth in the world by 2029, surpassing both Japan and Germany.
