Last checked Oct 8, 2026
YouTube (YouTube, LLC)youtube.comYouTube (YouTube, LLC) is not currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
YouTube is not private-equity-owned; it is owned and controlled by Google/Alphabet (public company), not a private equity sponsor.
Notes
- Multiple reputable sources describe YouTube as acquired by Google in 2006 and operating as a Google subsidiary (Alphabet reorganization occurred later in 2015).
- No evidence found of current controlling ownership by any private equity firm/fund; control appears to rest with Alphabet Inc. via Google.
Sources
- YouTube
Wikipedia - Founding date (Feb 14, 2005), founders (Hurley, Chen, Karim), and early headquarters in San Mateo; also notes acquisition by Google in 2006.
- Master Complaint (JCCP 5255) PDF (mentions YouTube ownership as a Google subsidiary since 2006; Alphabet reorganization context)
Competitive Enterprise Institute (hosting court filing) - States Google has operated and wholly owned YouTube, LLC as its subsidiary since 2006; also notes Alphabet became parent holding company in 2015.
- YouTube (company page)
Sequoia Capital - Confirms YouTube was founded in 2005 and identifies founders (Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim; discusses founding team).
- File:YouTube Logo 2017.svg
Wikimedia Commons - Provides a direct, downloadable SVG logo file used as the logoUrl.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_YouTube
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawed_Karim
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.firstversions.com/2016/01/youtube.html
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Hurley
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_at_the_zoo
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Chen
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://articles.sequoiacap.com/youtube-story
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AYouTube_Logo_2017.svg
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is YouTube (YouTube, LLC) owned by private equity?
No. YouTube (YouTube, LLC) does not currently appear to be private-equity-owned.
Who owns YouTube (YouTube, LLC)?
Wholly owned subsidiary of Google (part of Alphabet Inc., a publicly traded company)
When was YouTube (YouTube, LLC) last checked?
This page was last checked on Oct 8, 2026.