Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber Highlight

In 2004, when Google undertook its IPO, it used a controversial financial instrument called a “dual-class stock structure.” Google sold “Class A” shares to the public, while its founders held onto “Class B” shares. The two classes held the same monetary value, but Class B shares came with special privileges; every Class B share represented ten “votes,” or ten individual chances to yea or nay company leadership decisions.