# World Wide Technology

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{{short description|American technology company}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = World Wide Technology
| logo = World Wide Technology logo.png
| type = Technology
| industry = 
| successor = 
| founded = 1990
| founders = [David Steward](/source/David_Steward) (Chairman)<br/>[Jim Kavanaugh](/source/Jim_Kavanaugh) (CEO)
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| hq_location_city = [Maryland Heights](/source/Maryland_Heights), Missouri
| hq_location_country = United States of America
| owner = 
| num_employees = 12,000<ref>{{cite news |last= Boyle |first= John |date= June 4, 2025 |title=From Idea to Outcome: How WWT Is Leading the AI Security Conversation at Scale |url= https://securityboulevard.com/2025/06/from-idea-to-outcome-how-wwt-is-leading-the-ai-security-conversation-at-scale/ |publisher= Security Boulevard |access-date= June 27, 2025 |quote= With a global workforce of over 12,000, and a deep bench of trusted technology partners, WWT has positioned itself as a rare blend of scale, security expertise and hands-on innovation.}}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2025 <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| revenue = $20 billion (2024)<ref>{{cite news |last= Murphy |first= Andrea |date= November 25, 2024 |title= AMERICA'S TOP PRIVATE COMPANIES |url= https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-private-companies/ |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |access-date= June 27, 2025 |quote= World Wide Technology; Missouri; IT Software & Services; Revenue: $20B}}</ref>
| parent = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.wwt.com|wwt.com}}
}}
'''World Wide Technology''' ('''WWT''') is an American [privately-held](/source/privately-held) technology services company based in [St. Louis, Missouri](/source/St._Louis%2C_Missouri). The company has an annual revenue of $20 billion (the 19th largest private company in the US<ref>{{Cite web |title=America's Top Private Companies |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-private-companies/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[Forbes](/source/Forbes)}}</ref> and the biggest black-owned company in the US<ref>{{Cite news|last=Haqqi|first=Ty|date=2021-01-19|title=10 Biggest Black-Owned Companies in the US|work=Insider Monkey|url=https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/10-biggest-black-owned-companies-in-the-us-914962/?singlepage=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Top 100 |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/be100s/top100/ |access-date=2022-01-18 |website=[Black Enterprise](/source/Black_Enterprise) |quote=}}</ref>) and employs over 12,000 people.<ref>{{cite news |last= Boyle |first= John |date= June 4, 2025 |title=From Idea to Outcome: How WWT Is Leading the AI Security Conversation at Scale |url= https://securityboulevard.com/2025/06/from-idea-to-outcome-how-wwt-is-leading-the-ai-security-conversation-at-scale/ |publisher= Security Boulevard |access-date= June 27, 2025 |quote= With a global workforce of over 12,000, and a deep bench of trusted technology partners, WWT has positioned itself as a rare blend of scale, security expertise and hands-on innovation.}}</ref> WWT works in the areas of [cloud computing](/source/cloud_computing), [computer security](/source/computer_security), [data center](/source/data_center)s, data [analytics](/source/analytics) and [artificial intelligence](/source/artificial_intelligence), [computer network](/source/computer_network)s, [application software](/source/application_software) development, [cell phone carrier](/source/cell_phone_carrier) networking, and [consulting](/source/Consultant) services.

==History==
World Wide Technology was co-founded by [David Steward](/source/David_Steward) and [Jim Kavanaugh](/source/Jim_Kavanaugh) in July 1990 as a reseller of technology equipment.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurendebter/2019/08/08/jim-kavanaugh-david-steward-world-wide-technology/#29f980fe54b4  |title= The Billionaires Behind The Secret Tech Mecca In America's Heartland |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= August 8, 2019 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= In 1990, World Wide Technology became a humble reseller of printers, computers and telephonic equipment…Steward hired Kavanaugh very early on in the company's run, eventually recognizing that their two halves made an exceptional whole and giving Kavanaugh an ownership stake.}}</ref>

In 1994, WWT entered into a partnership with [Cisco Systems](/source/Cisco_Systems) to resell hardware and software.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mountain-debt-forbes-top-30-how-world-wide-technology-took-hardware-industry-1642044 |title= From a mountain of debt to Forbes top 30: How World Wide Technology took on the hardware industry |work= [International Business Times](/source/International_Business_Times) |date= November 3, 2017 |accessdate= October 16, 2020 |quote= Within three years of its inception, the company had racked up hefty debts, before a partnership with technology giant Cisco System in 1994 gave WWT its first major breakthrough.}}</ref> WWT also established partnerships with technology companies including [Dell](/source/Dell),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurendebter/2019/08/08/jim-kavanaugh-david-steward-world-wide-technology/#29f980fe54b4  |title= The Billionaires Behind The Secret Tech Mecca In America's Heartland |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= August 8, 2019 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= Here his company, World Wide Technology, has assembled thousands of hardware and software offerings from Microsoft, Cisco, Dell and more than 100 other tech firms in one place.}}</ref> [Hewlett Packard Enterprise](/source/Hewlett_Packard_Enterprise),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/04/02/hewlett-packard-enterprise-aims-to-deliver-5g-simplification/#594a7a6c1f7a |title= Hewlett Packard Enterprise Aims To Deliver 5G Simplification |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= April 2, 2020 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= ODIM is a partner led effort by HPE and Intel, but also includes a number of ecosystem partners such as Red Hat, Tech Mahindra and IT equipment and services provider World Wide Technology.}}</ref> [Intel](/source/Intel),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/04/13/intel-quietly-becoming-a-player-on-the-edge/#2bbcce444dba |title= Intel Quietly Becoming A Player On The 'Edge' |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= April 13, 2020 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= The company says it is doubling its edge deployments year over year. For the network edge, partners include Lenovo, Red Hat, Advantech, Caswell, Inventec, Lanner, Nexcom, World Wide Technology, Ericsson, ZTE, Verizon, Vodafone, Nokia, China Telecom and many more.}}</ref> [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurendebter/2019/08/08/jim-kavanaugh-david-steward-world-wide-technology/#29f980fe54b4  |title= The Billionaires Behind The Secret Tech Mecca In America's Heartland |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= August 8, 2019 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= Here his company, World Wide Technology, has assembled thousands of hardware and software offerings from Microsoft, Cisco, Dell and more than 100 other tech firms in one place.}}</ref> [NetApp](/source/NetApp),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/world-wide-technology-takes-industry-challenges-for-service-providers-and-enterprises |title= World Wide Technology takes on industry challenges for service providers and enterprises |publisher= Fierce Telecom |date= January 16, 2019 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= [WWT] counts Cisco, VMware, NetApp, Dell EMC, F5 Networks, and HPE among its vendor customers.}}</ref> [F5](/source/F5_Networks),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/world-wide-technology-takes-industry-challenges-for-service-providers-and-enterprises |title= World Wide Technology takes on industry challenges for service providers and enterprises |publisher= Fierce Telecom |date= January 16, 2019 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= [WWT] counts Cisco, VMware, NetApp, Dell EMC, F5 Networks, and HPE among its vendor customers.}}</ref> [Tanium](/source/Tanium)<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-29/dod-is-auditing-the-process-that-won-tanium-government-contracts |title= DoD Is Auditing the Process that Won Tanium Government Contracts |publisher= [Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News) |date= May 28, 2018 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= Tanium, along with partner World Wide Technology, won a $750 million contract to increase security of Army networks late last year. It was the largest contract of its kind to originate from the DIUx office, which was created in 2015 to reach newer technology companies that aren't traditional Pentagon contractors.}}</ref> and [VMware](/source/VMware).<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.crn.com/slide-shows/data-center/wwt-ceo-jim-kavanaugh-s-10-boldest-it-bets-and-myths-for-2020/1 |title= WWT CEO Jim Kavanaugh's 10 Boldest IT Bets And Myths For 2020 |publisher= CRN |date= January 17, 2020 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= Kavanaugh plans to invest millions in net new hires to attack fast growing market segments while also doubling down on the innovation strategies from the likes of Cisco and VMware.}} to resell hardware and software.</ref>

WWT opened its first warehouse in 1996 and operates more than 20 facilities with five million square feet of warehousing, distribution and integration space.<ref>{{cite web |date= March 31, 2025 |title= World Wide Technology (WWT) |url= https://thenewblackpages.com/world-wide-technology/ |publisher= The New Black Pages |access-date= July 16, 2025 |quote= Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, WWT employs over 12,000 individuals and operates more than 5 million square feet of warehousing, distribution, and integration space across 20+ facilities worldwide.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.sanjan.com.np/2022/11/world-wide-technology-wwt.html |title= World Wide Technology WWT: America's Largest Private Company owned by Black |publisher= [Lumbini Media](/source/Lumbini_Media) |date= November 5, 2022 |accessdate= November 5, 2022}}</ref>

In 1999, [Telcobuy](/source/Telcobuy).com, LLC, was founded as a separate company, owned by WWT, Steward and Kavanaugh.<ref name="ipo">{{Cite web |title= Form S-1/A: General form for registration of securities |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1109361/000095012400002828/0000950124-00-002828.txt |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= May 8, 2000 |access-date= February 3, 2022 }}</ref>
Telcobuy planned an [initial public offering](/source/initial_public_offering) of about $100 million, but as the [dot-com bubble](/source/dot-com_bubble) burst, the plan was withdrawn in the [early 2000s recession](/source/early_2000s_recession). In January 2003, it was merged back into WWT under a holding company.<ref>{{Cite news |title= World Wide Technology, Telcobuy.com merge |date= January 21, 2003 |work= St. Louis Business Journal |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2003/01/20/daily27.html |access-date= February 3, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030421044225/https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2003/01/20/daily27.html |archive-date= April 21, 2003 }}</ref>

WWT created its first large-scale integration lab in St. Louis to increase capacity for secure [system configuration](/source/system_configuration).<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/09/17/top-150-2020-world-wide-technology.html |title= Top 150 2020: World Wide Technology adds to revenue by expanding — locally and globally |publisher= [St Louis Business Journal](/source/American_City_Business_Journals) |date= September 17, 2020 |accessdate= October 16, 2020 |quote= The company last year opened its North American Integration Center campus in Edwardsville. }}</ref> Additional integration labs were established in Europe and Asia, with locations in Amsterdam and Singapore opening in 2015,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/biznext/2015/10/world-wide-technology-opens-new-asia-pacific.html |title= World Wide Technology opens new Asia-Pacific headquarters |publisher= [St Louis Business Journal](/source/American_City_Business_Journals) |date= October 14, 2015 |accessdate= October 16, 2020 |quote= Maryland Heights-based World Wide Technology has opened a new Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore that will include sales offices and an integration technology lab.}}</ref> and Mumbai in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/09/17/top-150-2020-world-wide-technology.html |title= Top 150 2020: World Wide Technology adds to revenue by expanding — locally and globally |publisher= [St Louis Business Journal](/source/American_City_Business_Journals) |date= September 17, 2020 |accessdate= October 16, 2020 |quote= The company also extended its global reach with a new 10,000-square-foot integration center in Mumbai, India.}}</ref>

In 2009, WWT opened its Advanced Technology Center to allow engineers, customers and partners to evaluate hardware and software.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurendebter/2019/08/08/jim-kavanaugh-david-steward-world-wide-technology/#29f980fe54b4  |title= The Billionaires Behind The Secret Tech Mecca In America's Heartland |work= [Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= August 8, 2019 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= Kavanaugh swipes his badge and enters the so-called Advanced Technology Center. Here his company, World Wide Technology, has assembled thousands of hardware and software offerings from Microsoft, Cisco, Dell and more than 100 other tech firms in one place. An army of engineers (3,000 strong) are on hand to run demos, conduct bake-offs and make recommendations.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/13/how-world-wide-technology-used-innovation-to.html  |title= How World Wide Technology used innovation to become a $9 billion giant |publisher= [St Louis Business Journal](/source/American_City_Business_Journals) |date= January 13, 2017 |accessdate= October 16, 2020 |quote= Now nearly eight years later — and with at least $100 million invested in the company’s Advanced Technology Centers (ATC) — it’s hard to argue with the results.}}</ref> The Advanced Technology Center was made accessible online.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cisco-live-2018-how-wwts-virtual-lab-lets-companies-test-new-ciscogoogle-cloud-solution/ |title= Cisco Live 2018: How WWT's virtual lab lets companies test new Cisco/Google cloud solution |publisher= [TechRepublic](/source/TechRepublic) |date= June 11, 2018 |accessdate= October 16, 2020 |quote= World Wide Technology (WWT) has built a virtual lab in its St. Louis, MO-based Advanced Technology Center that will let companies get first-hand experience with the new Cisco Hybrid Cloud Platform for Google Cloud.}}</ref>

In a lawsuit filed in March 2025, it was alleged that Missouri state officials in the Office of Administration unlawfully favored World Wide Technology when awarding lucrative IT contracts in a manner that bypassed competitive bidding laws.<ref name=mi>{{Cite web |last=Hancock |first=Jason |date=2025-03-24|title=Missouri agency accused of illegally steering contracts to well-connected company|url=https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/24/missouri-agency-accused-of-illegally-steering-contracts-to-well-connected-company/|access-date=2025-04-02|website=Missouri Independent |language=en}}</ref>

== Golf ==
World Wide Technology hosts the [World Wide Technology championship](/source/World_Wide_Technology_Championship), a golf tournament on the PGA Tour. The tournament debuted in 2007 and is played on the El Cardonal golf course at the Diamante Cabo San Lucas resort.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-01 |title=World Wide Technology Championship History & Past Winners - Bleacher Nation |url=https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/11/01/world-wide-technology-championship-history-past-winners/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Acquisitions ==
World Wide Technology purchased Baltimore, Maryland-based Performance Technology Group in January 2010 for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2010-01-14 |title=World Wide Technology acquires Performance Technology Group |url=https://www.techmonitor.ai/hardware/data-centres/world_wide_technology_acquires_performance_technology_group_100115 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Tech Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2015, WWT acquired St. Louis software company Asynchrony.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy-business/2015-06-05/world-wide-technology-acquires-asynchrony#stream/0 |title= World Wide Technology acquires Asynchrony |publisher= [St. Louis Public Radio](/source/KWMU) |date= June 5, 2015 |accessdate= September 27, 2020 |quote= St. Louis-based World Wide Technology has acquired local software company Asynchrony.}}</ref>

In 2025, WWT completed the acquisition of Softchoice Corporation.<ref>{{cite news |last= Knox |first= Samir |date= March 14, 2025 |title= World Wide Technology closes on $1.3B deal for Canadian firm |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/inno/stories/news/2025/03/14/wwt-softscience-acquisition.html |publisher= [St. Louis Business Journal](/source/American_City_Business_Journals) |access-date= June 27, 2025 |quote= World Wide Technology (WWT) on Thursday announced that it closed on its $1.3 billion acquisition of a Canadian public company. World Wide Technology Holding Co. LLC, a nearly $20 billion provider of technology products and services for large businesses and government entities, said its acquisition of Toronto-based Softchoice Corp. "broadens" its client base, and gives its customers " access to a more comprehensive portfolio of software, cloud, cybersecurity and AI solutions." The deal was originally announced in late December.}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
In 2020, WWT received [Webby Awards](/source/Webby_Awards) in the Health & Fitness and People's Voice categories for its [St. Jude Children's Research Hospital](/source/St._Jude_Children's_Research_Hospital) Patient Care App.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 19, 2020 |title=WWT Recognized with 'Internet's Highest Honor' at 2020 Webby Awards |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200519005880/en/WWT-Recognized-with-Internets-Highest-Honor-at-2020-Webby-Awards-%C2%A0 |access-date=May 26, 2021 |publisher=[Businesswire](/source/Businesswire)}}</ref>

WWT has been named on [Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For](/source/100_Best_Companies_to_Work_For) list from 2012 to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For |url=https://fortune.com/ranking/best-companies/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, [Time](/source/Time_(magazine)) named WWT among the 100 Most Influential Companies, in the "Leaders" category.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=2021 TIME100 Most Influential Companies|url=https://time.com/collection/time100-companies/#leaders-3|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Time Magazine}}</ref>

In 2024, WWT was named one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Best Workplaces for Innovators 2025 |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911091632/https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list |archive-date=2025-09-11 |access-date=2025-09-12 |work=Fast Company |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Sponsorships ==
From 2018-2021, WWT sponsored Richard Petty Motorsports driver ["Bubba" Wallace Jr.](/source/Bubba_Wallace)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Richard Petty Motorsports |url=https://www.wwt.com/rpm |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=www.wwt.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-20|title=RPM, World Wide Technology renew partnership for 2019 {{!}} NASCAR.com|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2018/12/20/richard-petty-motorsports-world-wide-technology-bubba-wallace-sponsorship/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Official Site Of NASCAR|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, WWT announced a naming rights sponsorship of Gateway Motorsports Park, now known as the [World Wide Technology Raceway](/source/World_Wide_Technology_Raceway).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-17|title=World Wide Technology announces naming rights for Gateway Motorsports Park|url=https://fox2now.com/news/world-wide-technology-announces-naming-rights-for-gateway-motorsports-park/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=FOX 2|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130070705/https://fox2now.com/news/world-wide-technology-announces-naming-rights-for-gateway-motorsports-park/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

WWT also sponsors [PGA](/source/PGA_Tour) golfers [Erik van Rooyen](/source/Erik_van_Rooyen) and [Austin Eckroat](/source/Austin_Eckroat), as well as [PGA Tour Champions](/source/PGA_Tour_Champions) golfer [Billy Andrade](/source/Billy_Andrade)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watching golf this weekend? Here's why you may see World Wide Technology's logo|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/12/31/watching-golf-this-weekend-heres-why-you-may-see.html|access-date=2021-05-11|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> and [LPGA](/source/LPGA) player [Lauren Stephenson](/source/Lauren_Stephenson).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Josh |date=2025-09-12 |title=Luke Donald adds World Wide Technology as new sponsor, more broadcast responsibilities |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/09/19/luke-donald-world-wide-technology/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

Category:Information technology companies of the United States
Category:Companies based in St. Louis County, Missouri
Category:Technology companies established in 1990
Category:1990 establishments in Missouri
Category:Black-owned companies of the United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [World Wide Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Technology) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Technology?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.