Business trivia can be a great way to engage teams, break the ice at networking events, or just test your knowledge of the corporate world. We’ve compiled a list of 200+ unique, creative, and thought-provoking business trivia questions that go beyond the typical “Who founded Apple?” level. Get ready to challenge yourself!
For mote trivia fun, check out our blog on Virtual Trivia: 9 Trivia Games and 1,000+ Trivia Questions for Remote Team Fun.
General Business Trivia Questions
- What company’s first product was an automatic rice cooker that failed to sell?
- Which soft drink brand was originally marketed as a brain tonic?
- What business concept was inspired by the McDonald brothers but perfected by Ray Kroc?
- Which company’s logo has changed the least since its founding in 1886?
- What was the first publicly traded company in history?
- Which entrepreneur once said, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning”?
- What product, initially dismissed as a “fad,” ended up being one of Sony’s best-selling items of all time?
- What tech company started in a garage but is now valued at over $2 trillion?
- Who was the first woman to found a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange?
- What business strategy did Netflix use to outcompete Blockbuster?
- Which company originally operated under the name “Relentless” before changing its name?
- What famous luxury brand started as a trunk-making business in the 19th century?
- Which global beverage company was named after the medicinal leaves originally used in its product?
- What airline was the first to introduce a frequent flyer program?
- Which fast-food company launched a failed attempt at a high-end café chain called “McCafé” in the U.S.?
- Which multinational corporation’s name means “three stars” in Korean?
- What is the only company to have remained in the Dow Jones Industrial Average since its inception?
- Which tech giant initially banned third-party apps on its mobile devices before creating its app store?
- What company introduced the world’s first credit card in 1950?
- Which company’s advertising campaign introduced the “golden arches” as a symbol of success?
- Which company became the first to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion?
- What global brand initially only sold playing cards before pivoting to consumer electronics?
- Which successful startup was founded by an immigrant who sold his first product door-to-door?
- What is the name of the strategy where businesses charge different prices for the same product based on demand?
- Which automobile company originally started as a sewing machine manufacturer?
- What famous retail brand was initially a mail-order catalog company before opening physical stores?
- Which tech company was founded in an attic and later became one of the largest PC manufacturers?
- What well-known brand started by selling handmade soap door-to-door?
- Which major airline was founded as a low-cost carrier and became one of the largest in the world?
- Which consumer goods company was originally founded as a soap and candle business?
Entrepreneurship & Startups
- What company originally launched as an online bookstore in 1994?
- What business started as “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web”?
- What e-commerce giant was originally called “Cadabra”?
- Which startup was founded in a Harvard dorm room and became one of the world’s biggest social networks?
- What company began as “Blue Ribbon Sports” before changing its name to something more iconic?
- Which entrepreneur made his first million dollars selling an email service before launching a major social media platform?
- What startup’s success was largely driven by FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) marketing?
- Which popular SaaS company started as a way to share wine ratings?
- Which two major fast-food chains originated from siblings who later split and ran rival businesses?
- What major brand was initially dismissed by investors because “no one would want to stay in a stranger’s house”?
- What online payments company was co-founded by Elon Musk before being acquired by eBay?
- Which startup began as a DVD rental service before pivoting to streaming?
- What company was founded by a college dropout who sold handmade computers from his garage?
- What social media platform was originally called “Burbn” before rebranding and finding success?
- Which startup began as a side project when its founder wanted to automate his home coffee maker?
- What popular messaging app was created by former Yahoo employees who wanted an ad-free experience?
- What fitness company started as a series of online exercise videos before launching its own hardware?
- Which entrepreneur famously started his business by selling shoes out of the trunk of his car?
- What ride-sharing company started by offering luxury black car services before expanding to everyday drivers?
- Which startup was originally a crowdsourced funding platform before pivoting to business lending?
- What gaming company started by selling arcade machines before moving into home consoles?
- Which famous entrepreneur got his start selling newspapers on the streets before creating a major automobile company?
- What startup was initially a wedding registry site before pivoting into home décor and furniture?
- What major streaming service was started after its founder was charged a late fee for a DVD rental?
- Which popular task management software was founded by a former Google employee looking for a better way to organize work?
- What startup, now a household name, struggled to get funding because investors thought people wouldn’t trust strangers with their money?
- Which online dating platform was founded by a group of female entrepreneurs looking to challenge industry norms?
- What subscription-based company was initially an idea pitched at a college business competition?
- Which startup built its brand around providing an alternative to traditional taxi services with a focus on affordability?
- What online retailer started by selling only pet supplies before expanding into a multi-billion-dollar marketplace?
Marketing & Branding
- What cereal brand created a fictional character who only appears in commercials but never in real life?
- What fast-food chain used the slogan “Where’s the beef?” to take a jab at its competitors?
- What car company’s logo is based on the Pleiades star cluster?
- Which major tech company was nearly called “Pequod” before the founders settled on something simpler?
- What brand’s first-ever Super Bowl ad featured a frog, a lizard, and a ferret?
- Which company uses the “swoosh” as its official logo?
- What luxury car brand had its iconic logo inspired by a horse on an airplane?
- Which brand was built on the idea of “engineered obsolescence”—designing products to wear out so people have to buy new ones?
- Which brand’s advertising campaign led to an increase in sales by making their product a symbol of luxury?
- What famous beverage company once tried to convince the world that its competitor was “for old people”?
Corporate Culture & Workplace
- What company is famous for offering employees a free “nap pod” at the office?
- Which CEO implemented a $70,000 minimum salary for all employees?
- What major tech company refers to its employees as “Googlers”?
- What business is known for its “No Meetings Wednesdays” policy?
- Which company had a policy where employees could work on any passion project for 20% of their time?
- What company lets customers “pay what they want” for some of its services?
- What business implemented a “four-day workweek” experiment and saw productivity rise?
- What company once famously fired an employee for leaking an email about free snacks?
- Which company gives new hires $2,000 to quit if they realize it’s not the right fit?
- Which fast-food giant’s employees have their own secret menu?
- Which company provides unlimited vacation days for its employees?
- What global coffee chain offers tuition reimbursement for its employees?
- What e-commerce giant allows employees to bring their dogs to work?
- Which company was one of the first to implement a remote work policy long before the pandemic?
- What company gives employees a stipend for personal dvolomen each year?
- Which major social media company offers free food to its employees in the office?
- What global tech firm has a tradition of encouraging employees to take part in hackathons?
- Which company made headlines for letting employees work from anywhere permanently?
- What online retailer gives employees a yearly bonus if they choose to leave the company?
- Which major entertainment company allows employees to take extended creative sabbaticals?
- What car manufacturer was one of the first to introduce a shorter workweek for production employees?
- What global consulting firm is famous for promoting a work-hard, play-hard culture?
- What famous tech CEO once set a rule that all internal meetings should last no longer than 30 minutes?
- What company provides financial wellness programs to help employees manage their personal finances?
- What fast-food chain has a scholarship program for its employees?
- Which multinational company has a unique “hot-desking” policy where employees don’t have assigned seats?
- What workplace practice allows employees to job-shadow different departments to learn new skills?
- Which well-known retail brand offers meditation and wellness programs for employees?
- What major airline allows employees to fly for free as a perk?
- Which company has an internal leadership program designed to train employees for executive roles?
- What company lets customers “pay what they want” for some of its services?
- What business implemented a “four-day workweek” experiment and saw productivity rise?
- What company once famously fired an employee for leaking an email about free snacks?
- Which company gives new hires $2,000 to quit if they realize it’s not the right fit?
- Which fast-food giant’s employees have their own secret menu?
Business Failures & Turnarounds
- What company famously turned down buying Google for $750,000?
- Which video rental company passed up an opportunity to buy Netflix for $50 million?
- What major soft drink company once released a “clear” version of its soda, which flopped?
- What luxury brand tried to market a $10,000 umbrella that no one wanted?
- Which mobile phone company was once a market leader but failed due to slow innovation?
- What major airline once tried selling pizzas as a side business?
- What retail giant filed for bankruptcy despite once being the biggest online bookseller?
- Which business was almost ruined because of an advertising blunder that cost them $50 million in one day?
- What major brand had to publicly apologize after an attempt at rebranding led to public outrage?
- What car company once tried to sell a model that was considered “too ahead of its time” and failed?
- What social media platform was once valued at billions but shut down due to declining users?
- Which toy retailer went bankrupt despite being a household name for decades?
- What fast-food chain attempted a high-end burger brand that quickly failed?
- Which smartphone brand lost its dominance after failing to innovate on touchscreen technology?
- What once-popular MP3 player brand disappeared after the rise of smartphones?
- Which department store chain filed for bankruptcy despite having been in business for over 100 years?
- What popular clothing retailer lost its appeal after failing to adapt to changing fashion trends?
- Which energy company collapsed in a massive scandal involving accounting fraud?
- What major gaming console was a flop despite being from a leading electronics company?
- Which airline shut down operations after fuel prices skyrocketed and competition increased?
- What major retail chain failed after expanding too quickly and taking on too much debt?
- Which coffee brand was forced to shut down its locations due to poor customer demand?
- What international electronics brand failed to make an impact in the U.S. market despite success overseas?
- Which restaurant chain shut down most of its locations after failing to compete with fast-casual dining?
- What famous fashion brand lost its relevance after a series of controversial marketing campaigns?
- Which major car rental company filed for bankruptcy due to the rise of ride-sharing apps?
- What home goods retailer suffered losses after failing to keep up with e-commerce trends?
- Which once-dominant web browser lost its market share due to competition from faster alternatives?
- What tech gadget company went out of business after failing to adapt to mobile advancements?
- Which well-known media company failed to transition from print to digital and suffered huge losses?
Finance & Investments
- Which billionaire investor once said, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”?
- What investment strategy focuses on buying undervalued companies and holding them long-term?
- What major financial crisis was caused by excessive subprime mortgage lending?
- What company was once worth $47 billion before its valuation collapsed due to a failed IPO?
- What type of stock does not grant voting rights to shareholders?
- What financial instrument allows investors to bet against the market?
- What business was originally a “penny stock” before becoming one of the largest publicly traded companies?
- What is the term for buying a failing company, cutting costs, and selling it for a profit?
- What cryptocurrency was started as a joke but later became a billion-dollar asset?
- What was the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history?
- What is the most commonly traded stock exchange in the United States?
- What does ROI stand for in the finance world?
- Which global credit card company was originally part of a major airline?
- What is the term for a period of economic decline lasting two or more consecutive quarters?
- What is the name of the official currency used in Japan?
- Which type of investment typically provides the lowest risk but also lower returns?
- What is the name for the financial market where new stocks are issued and sold to investors?
- Which U.S. agency is responsible for regulating the stock market?
- What is the term for a sudden and significant drop in stock market prices?
- What is the name of the fee charged by investment funds for managing a portfolio?
- What is the term for a company that regularly pays a portion of its profits to shareholders?
- What type of investment involves lending money to a government or corporation in exchange for periodic interest payments?
- Which global financial institution was founded to support international monetary cooperation and stability?
- What is the process of spreading investments across different assets to reduce risk called?
- What does the acronym ETF stand for in the investment world?
- Which country is home to the oldest stock exchange in the world?
- What is the name of the person responsible for making investment decisions in a mutual fund?
- What is the term for an investor who buys and sells stocks within the same trading day?
- What is the name of the metric used to measure the profitability of a company compared to its stock price?
- What financial term describes an investor who believes that stock prices will decrease?