View source for Paul Allen

{{Short description|American businessman (1953–2018)}}
{{About|the entrepreneur and philanthropist|other people of the same name|Paul Allen (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2015}} 
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} 
{{Infobox person
| name               = Paul Allen
| image              = Paul G. Allen (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Allen at the [[Flying Heritage Collection]] in 2013
| birth_name         = Paul Gardner Allen
| alt                = Allen seated in an airplane
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1953|1|21}}
| birth_place        = [[Seattle]], Washington, U.S.
| death_date         = {{Death date and age |2018|10|15|1953|1|21}}
| death_place        = Seattle, Washington, U.S.
| education          = [[Washington State University]] (dropped out)
| known_for          = {{indented plainlist|
* Pioneer of the [[personal computer revolution]] with [[Bill Gates]]
* Co-founding of [[Microsoft]]}}
| occupation         = {{hlist|Businessman|Computer programmer|Researcher|Film producer|Explorer|Sports excecutive|Investor|Philanthropist}}
| title              = {{collapsible list
| titlestyle = font-style:italic; font-weight:normal;
| title      = {{If mobile||See {{tooltip|list|Partial list of founded and owned companies}}}}
| bullets    = on
| [[Chairman]] and co-founder of [[Vulcan Inc.]]
| Owner of [[Seattle Seahawks]] and [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| Part-owner of [[Seattle Sounders FC]]
| Founder of [[Allen Institute for Brain Science]]
| Founder of [[Allen Institute for Cell Science]]
| Founder of [[Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence]]
| Founder of [[Apex Learning]]
| Founder of [[Stratolaunch Systems]]
| Co-founder of [[Mojave Aerospace Ventures]]
| Strategy advisor of Microsoft<ref name=CNNMoney/>
}}
| years_active       = 1972–2018
| relatives          = [[Jody Allen]] (sister)
| website            = {{URL|paulallen.com}}
}}
'''Paul Gardner Allen''' (January 21, 1953 – October 15, 2018) was an American businessman, computer programmer, researcher, film producer, explorer, sports executive, investor and philanthropist. He co-founded [[Microsoft|Microsoft Corporation]] with his childhood friend [[Bill Gates]] in 1975, which was followed by the [[microcomputer revolution]] of the 1970s and 1980s. Allen was ranked as the [[The World's Billionaires|44th-wealthiest person in the world]] by ''[[Forbes]]'' with an estimated net worth of $20.3 billion at the time of his death in October 2018.<ref name=Forbes400>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/paul-allen/#77d8bf564417|title=#21 Paul Allen - 2018 Forbes 400 Net Worth|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=October 12, 2018|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226141520/https://www.forbes.com/profile/paul-allen/#77d8bf564417|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/15/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer-at-age-65.html|title=Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dies of cancer at age 65|work=CNBC|date=October 15, 2018|access-date=October 16, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106205008/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/15/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer-at-age-65.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Allen quit from day-to-day work at Microsoft in early 1983 after a [[Hodgkin lymphoma]] diagnosis, remaining on its board as vice-chairman. He and his sister, [[Jody Allen]], founded [[Vulcan Inc.]] in 1986,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vulcan.com/About/Leadership-(1)|title=Leadership|website=Vulcan.com|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704094836/http://www.vulcan.com/About/Leadership-(1)|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> a privately held company that managed his business and philanthropic efforts. He had a multi-billion dollar investment portfolio, including technology and media companies, scientific research, real estate holdings, private space flight ventures, and stakes in other sectors. He owned the [[Seattle Seahawks]] of the [[National Football League]]<ref name="seahawks"/> and the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] of the [[National Basketball Association]],<ref name="trailblazers"/> and was part-owner of the [[Seattle Sounders FC]] of [[Major League Soccer]].<ref name="soccer"/> Under Allen's helm, the Seahawks won [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] and made it to two other Super Bowls ([[Super Bowl XL|XL]] and [[Super Bowl XLIX|XLIX]]). In 2000 he resigned from his position on Microsoft's board and assumed the post of senior strategy advisor to the company's management team.

Allen founded the Allen Institutes for [[Allen Institute for Brain Science|Brain Science]],<ref>Timmerman, Luke (March 21, 2012). [http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2012/03/21/paul-allen-commits-300m-to-expand-allen-institute-for-brain-science/ "Paul Allen Commits $300M to Expand Institute for Brain Science"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029230625/http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2012/03/21/paul-allen-commits-300m-to-expand-allen-institute-for-brain-science/ |date=October 29, 2013 }}. [[Xconomy]].</ref> [[Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence|Artificial Intelligence]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://singularityhub.com/2013/09/11/paul-allen-hires-ai-luminary-oren-etzioni-to-head-new-artificial-intelligence-institute/ |title=Paul Allen Hires AI Luminary, Oren Etzioni, to Head New Artificial Intelligence Institute |date=September 11, 2013 |publisher=Singularity Hub |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226141519/https://singularityhub.com/2013/09/11/paul-allen-hires-ai-luminary-oren-etzioni-to-head-new-artificial-intelligence-institute/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Allen Institute for Cell Science|Cell Science]],<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.alleninstitutecellscience.org/ | title = Allen Institute for Cell Science | publisher = Allen Institute for Cell Science | access-date = April 18, 2015 | archive-date = December 26, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181226141513/https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/cell-science/%20 | url-status = dead }}</ref> as well as companies like [[Stratolaunch Systems]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.stratolaunch.com/who-we-are/ |title= Stratolaunch - Who We Are |access-date= October 16, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181017123625/https://www.stratolaunch.com/who-we-are/ |archive-date= October 17, 2018 |url-status= dead }}</ref> and [[Apex Learning]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-05-02-education-growth-partners-acquires-paul-allen-s-online-curriculum-company-apex-learning|title=Education Growth Partners Acquires Paul Allen's Online Curriculum Company, Apex Learning - EdSurge News|date=May 2, 2017|work=EdSurge|access-date=October 22, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=October 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232738/https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-05-02-education-growth-partners-acquires-paul-allen-s-online-curriculum-company-apex-learning|url-status=live}}</ref> He gave more than $2&nbsp;billion to causes such as education, wildlife and environmental conservation, the arts, healthcare, and community services.<ref name="Expanded bio"/> In 2004, he funded the first crewed private [[spaceplane]] with [[SpaceShipOne]].<ref name=Collier>{{cite web |url=https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/collier-trophy/collier-2000-2009-winners |title=COLLIER 2000-2009 RECIPIENTS |access-date=November 8, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108191050/https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/collier-trophy/collier-2000-2009-winners |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Airandspace.si.edu/> He received numerous awards and honors, and was listed among the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100 Most Influential People in the World]] in 2007 and 2008.<ref name="TIME"/>

Allen was diagnosed with [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] in 2009. He died of [[septic shock]] related to cancer on October 15, 2018, at the age of 65.<ref name=Inquisitr/> Shortly after his death, in April 2019, the Allen-funded [[Scaled Composites Stratolaunch|Stratolaunch]] first flew and became the largest aircraft in history by [[wingspan]].<ref name=ArsTechnica/>

==Early life==
[[File:Paul Allen and Bill Gates at Lakeside School in 1970.jpg|thumb|Allen (left) with [[Bill Gates]] at [[Lakeside School (Seattle)|Lakeside School]] in 1970|upright=1]]
Allen was born on January 21, 1953, in [[Seattle]], Washington, to Kenneth Sam Allen (a librarian)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pogrebin |first=Robin |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Opening Paul Allen's Treasure Chest |language=en-US |volume=172 |page=C14 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issue=59555 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/22/arts/design/paul-allen-collection-art-christies-auction.html |access-date=September 25, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Edna Faye (née Gardner) Allen<ref name="more than money">{{cite web |url=http://www.lib.washington.edu/support/endowments/allend |title=Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment – UW Libraries |publisher=Lib.washington.edu |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104654/http://www.lib.washington.edu/support/endowments/allend |url-status=live }}</ref> (a fourth-grade teacher).<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2012 |title=Paul Allen's Mother Dies at 90 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2012/06/paul-allens-mother-dies-at-90.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=Puget Sound Business Journal}}</ref> From 1965 to 1971 he attended [[Lakeside School (Seattle, Washington)|Lakeside School]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/timeline-selected-events-in-the-life-of-paul-gardner-allen/|title=Timeline: Selected events in the life of Paul Gardner Allen|date=October 15, 2018|website=The Seattle Times}}</ref> a private school in Seattle where he befriended [[Bill Gates]], with whom he shared an enthusiasm for computers.<ref name="auto"/> They used Lakeside's [[Teletype Corporation|Teletype]] terminals to develop their programming skills on several [[time-sharing]] computer systems.<ref name="before microsoft">{{cite magazine |author=Paul Allen |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/05/paul-allen-201105 |title=Microsoft's Odd Couple |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=May 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413010135/http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/05/paul-allen-201105 |url-status=live }}</ref> They also used the laboratory of the Computer Science Department of the [[University of Washington]] for personal research and computer programming until they were banned in 1971 for abusing their privileges.<ref>Hannelore Sudermann, "Paul Allen, Welcome Back", ''Columns'' (University of Washington alumni magazine), June 2017, p. 16.</ref>

Gates and Allen joined with [[Ric Weiland]] and Gates' childhood best friend and first collaborator, Kent Evans, to form the Lakeside Programming Club and find bugs in [[Computer Center Corporation]]'s software, in exchange for extra computer time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leibovich |first=Mark |date=December 30, 2000 |title=Alter Egos: Two Sides of High-Tech Brain Trust Make Up a Powerful Partnership |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/12/31/alter-egos/91b267b0-858c-4d4e-a4bd-48f22e015f70/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In 1972, after Evans' sudden death due to a mountain climbing accident, Gates turned to Allen for help finishing an automated class scheduling system for Lakeside.{{r|leibovich20001231}} They then formed [[Traf-O-Data]] to make [[traffic counter]]s based on the [[Intel 8008]] processor. According to Allen, he and Gates would go [[dumpster diving]] during their teenage years for computer program code.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft |last=Allen |first=Paul |publisher=Portfolio/Penguin |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-101-47645-1 |pages=40}}</ref>

Allen achieved a perfect [[SAT]] score of 1600<ref>[https://www.newsday.com/from-the-archives-twin-brothers-both-get-a-flawless-1600-on-the-sat-but-long-beach-seniors-simply-take-it-in-stride-1.6248090 From the archives: Twin brothers both get a flawless 1600 on the SAT, but Long Beach seniors simply take it in stride] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081406/https://www.newsday.com/from-the-archives-twin-brothers-both-get-a-flawless-1600-on-the-sat-but-long-beach-seniors-simply-take-it-in-stride-1.6248090 |date=October 16, 2018 }} Newsday</ref> and went to [[Washington State University]], where he joined the [[Phi Kappa Theta]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phikaps.org/?page=alumnibookshelf |title=Alumni Bookshelf – Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity, Incorporated |publisher=Phikaps.org |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=June 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623201139/http://www.phikaps.org/?page=alumnibookshelf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/06/us/high-tech-fraternity.html High-Tech Fraternity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081447/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/06/us/high-tech-fraternity.html |date=October 16, 2018 }} The New York Times</ref><ref>[https://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/12/paul_allen_to_give_26_million.html Paul Allen to give $26 million to Washington State University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016125931/https://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/12/paul_allen_to_give_26_million.html |date=October 16, 2018 }} The Oregonian</ref> He dropped out of college after two years to work as a programmer for [[Honeywell]] in [[Boston]] near [[Harvard University]] where Gates was enrolled.<ref name="before microsoft"/> Allen convinced Gates to drop out of Harvard in order to found [[Microsoft]].<ref name=abc2007>[https://abcnews.go.com/Business/Technology/story?id=2857296&page=1 Paul Allen: World's Sixth-Richest Man and Bill Gates 'Quirky Twin'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081407/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/Technology/story?id=2857296&page=1 |date=October 16, 2018 }} ABC News</ref>

==Microsoft==
{{Main|History of Microsoft|Microsoft#1972–1985: Founding}}
[[File:Altair Basic Sign.jpg|thumb|195px|The title page of the [[assembly language]] code that produced [[Altair BASIC]], developed by Allen, Gates, and [[Monte Davidoff]], with two early Microsoft business cards showing Gates as president and Allen as vice president]]
Allen and Gates formed Microsoft in 1975 in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], and began marketing a [[BASIC]] programming language interpreter, with their first employee being high school friend and collaborator [[Ric Weiland]].<ref name="thocp1">{{cite web|title=Microsoft history |publisher=The History of Computing Project |url=http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm |access-date=November 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514211138/http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="before microsoft"/> Allen came up with the name of "Micro-Soft", a combination of "microcomputer" and "software".<ref>{{cite news | url= https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1995/10/02/206528/index.htm | work= CNN | first= Bill | last= Gates | title= Bill Gates & Paul Allen Talk Check Out The Ultimate Buddy Act in Business History: The Multibillionaire Co-Founders Of Microsoft Sit Still For An Entire Afternoon To Tell Fortune's Brent Schlender Their Story And Speculate About The Future Of Personal Computing And Telecommunications | date= October 2, 1995 | access-date= August 3, 2020 | archive-date= May 3, 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110503155554/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1995/10/02/206528/index.htm | url-status= live }}</ref>

Microsoft committed to delivering a disk operating system ([[DOS]]) to IBM for the original [[IBM PC]] in 1980, although they had not yet developed one, and Allen spearheaded a deal for Microsoft to purchase [[86-DOS|QDOS]] (Quick and Dirty Operating System) written by [[Tim Paterson]] who was employed at [[Seattle Computer Products]].<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/30/msdos_paternity_suit_resolved/ MS-DOS paternity suit settled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804233015/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/30/msdos_paternity_suit_resolved/ |date=August 4, 2011 }} The Register</ref><ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-cofounder-paul-allen-dies-at-age-65-2018-10 Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dies at 65 after a battle with cancer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015235530/https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-cofounder-paul-allen-dies-at-age-65-2018-10 |date=October 15, 2018 }} Business Insider</ref> As a result of this transaction, Microsoft secured a contract to supply the DOS that ran on IBM's PC line, which opened the door to Allen's and Gates' wealth and success.<ref name="before microsoft"/>

The company restructured on June 25, 1981, to become an incorporated business in its home state of Washington (with a further change of its name to "Microsoft Corporation, Inc."). As part of the restructuring, Gates became president of the company and chairman of the board, and Allen became executive vice president and vice chairman.<ref name="before microsoft"/><ref name="keyevents">{{cite web |title=Microsoft Visitor Center Student Information: Key Events in Microsoft History |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/3/0/130dd86a-a196-4700-b577-521c4cf5cec1/key_events_in_microsoft_history.doc |publisher=Microsoft |format=.DOC |access-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226224212/http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/3/0/130dd86a-a196-4700-b577-521c4cf5cec1/key_events_in_microsoft_history.doc |archive-date=February 26, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The relationship between Allen and Gates became strained as they argued even over small things.<ref name="leibovich20001231">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/12/31/alter-egos/91b267b0-858c-4d4e-a4bd-48f22e015f70/ |title=Alter Egos |last=Leibovich |first=Mark |date=December 31, 2000 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225224631/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/12/31/alter-egos/91b267b0-858c-4d4e-a4bd-48f22e015f70/ |archive-date=December 25, 2016 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> Allen effectively left Microsoft in 1982 after being diagnosed with [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]], though he remained on the board of directors as vice chairman.<ref name="before microsoft"/><ref name=fortune2018>[http://fortune.com/2018/10/01/paul-allen-cancer/ Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Says His Cancer Has Returned, Expresses Optimism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016131436/http://fortune.com/2018/10/01/paul-allen-cancer/ |date=October 16, 2018 }} Fortune</ref> Gates reportedly asked Allen to give him some of his shares to compensate for the higher amount of work that Gates was doing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title= Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft|last= Allen|first= Paul|publisher= Penguin Publishing Group|year= 2012|isbn= 978-1-101-47645-1|page= 91|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=I2XUC0mp4wIC|access-date= March 26, 2018|archive-date= July 28, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200728053026/https://books.google.com/books?id=I2XUC0mp4wIC|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title= Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft|last= Allen|first= Paul|publisher= Penguin Publishing Group|year= 2012|isbn= 978-1-101-47645-1|page= 131|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=I2XUC0mp4wIC|access-date= March 26, 2018|archive-date= July 28, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200728053026/https://books.google.com/books?id=I2XUC0mp4wIC|url-status= live}}</ref> According to Allen,  Gates said that he "did almost everything on [[Microsoft BASIC|BASIC]]" and the company should be split 60–40 in his favor. Allen agreed to this arrangement, which Gates later renegotiated to 64–36.<ref name=cnet2013>{{cite web |title=Paul Allen: Gates, Ballmer tried to 'rip me off' |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/paul-allen-gates-ballmer-tried-to-rip-me-off/ |website=CNET |language=en |date=March 30, 2011 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032710/https://www.cnet.com/news/paul-allen-gates-ballmer-tried-to-rip-me-off/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1983, Gates tried to buy Allen out at $5 per share, but Allen refused and left the company with his shares intact; this made him a billionaire when Microsoft went public.<ref name=cnet2013/><ref>{{Cite book| title= Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft| last= Allen| first= Paul| publisher= Penguin Publishing Group| year= 2012| isbn= 978-1-101-47645-1| pages= 164–169| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=I2XUC0mp4wIC| access-date= March 26, 2018| archive-date= July 28, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200728053026/https://books.google.com/books?id=I2XUC0mp4wIC| url-status= live}}</ref> Gates later repaired his relationship with Allen, and the two men donated $2.2 million to their childhood school Lakeside in 1986.{{r|leibovich20001231}} They remained friends for the rest of Allen's life.<ref name="Gates Mourns Allen"/>

Allen resigned from his position on the Microsoft board of directors on November 9, 2000, but he remained as a senior strategy advisor to the company's executives.<ref name=CNNMoney>[https://money.cnn.com/2000/09/28/technology/microsoft/ Allen quits Microsoft board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016035855/https://money.cnn.com/2000/09/28/technology/microsoft/ |date=October 16, 2018 }} CNN Money</ref><ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-29-fi-28578-story.html Microsoft Co-Founder Allen Is Stepping Down From the Board]  Los Angeles Times</ref><ref>[https://www.itweb.co.za/content/xnklOvzbyKRv4Ymz Microsoft co-founder Allen to step down from board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032821/https://www.itweb.co.za/content/xnklOvzbyKRv4Ymz |date=October 16, 2018 }} ITWeb</ref> In January 2014, he still held 100 million shares of Microsoft.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.seattletimes.com/business/seahawks-beat-microsoft-as-investment-for-billionaire-paul-allen/| title = Seahawks beat Microsoft as investment for billionaire Paul Allen| author = Peter Robison and Brendan Coffey| newspaper = The Seattle Times| date = January 30, 2014| access-date = April 6, 2015| archive-date = December 26, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181226141521/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/seahawks-beat-microsoft-as-investment-for-billionaire-paul-allen/| url-status = live}}</ref>

==Businesses and investments==
{{See also|Vulcan Inc.}}

===Financial and technology===
* '''Vulcan Capital''' is an investment arm of Allen's Seattle-based Vulcan Inc., which has managed his personal fortune. In 2013, Allen opened a new Vulcan Capital office in [[Palo Alto, California]], to focus on making new investments in emerging technology and internet companies.<ref>{{cite news | title= Microsoft co-founder to open investment office in Silicon Valley | url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-allen-investing-idUSBRE9300M320130401?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews | work= Reuters | date= April 1, 2013 | access-date= July 1, 2017 | archive-date= October 16, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151016023018/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/01/us-allen-investing-idUSBRE9300M320130401?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews | url-status= live }}</ref>
* '''Patents:''' Allen held 43 patents from the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=0&f=S&l=50&d=PTXT&RS=IN%2Fallen-paul-g&Refine=Refine+Search&Refine=Refine+Search&Query=in%2Fallen-paul-g |title=USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database |publisher=Patft.uspto.gov |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904011440/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=0&f=S&l=50&d=PTXT&RS=IN%2Fallen-paul-g&Refine=Refine+Search&Refine=Refine+Search&Query=in%2Fallen-paul-g |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''Apps:''' Allen backed A.R.O., the startup behind the mobile app Saga;<ref>{{cite news|access-date=October 28, 2013|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/06/16/a-r-o-reveals-saga-an-ambient-companion-that-watches-what-you-do-to-make-personal-recommendations/|title=A.R.O. Reveals Saga, An "Ambient Companion" That Watches What You Do To Make Personal Recommendations|work=TechCrunch|date=June 16, 2012|last=Perez|first=Sarah|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211702/http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/16/a-r-o-reveals-saga-an-ambient-companion-that-watches-what-you-do-to-make-personal-recommendations/|url-status=live}}</ref> SportStream, a social app for sports fans;<ref>{{cite news|access-date=October 28, 2013|url=http://mashable.com/2012/06/14/sportstream/|title=Why Did Paul Allen Bet $3.5 Million on SportStream?|work=Mashable|date=June 14, 2012|last=Laird|first=Sam|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200847/http://mashable.com/2012/06/14/sportstream/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a content-management app called [[Fayve]].<ref>{{cite news|access-date=October 28, 2013|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2012/paul-allens-ipad-app-fayve-finds-favorite-movie-tv-show/|title=Paul Allen's personal media browsing tool is now an iPad app for the rest of us|work=GeekWire|date=November 7, 2012|last=Bishop|first=Todd|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193637/http://www.geekwire.com/2012/paul-allens-ipad-app-fayve-finds-favorite-movie-tv-show/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Interval Research Corporation:''' In 1992, Allen and [[David Liddle]] co-founded [[Interval Research Corporation]], a Silicon Valley–based laboratory and new business incubator that was dissolved in 2000 after generating over 300 patents,<ref>{{cite web | title= WTO Board Bio: David Liddle | url= http://www.stanford.edu/group/WTO/people/board/liddle.shtml | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070311150631/http://www.stanford.edu/group/WTO/people/board/liddle.shtml | archive-date= March 11, 2007 | url-status=dead | df= mdy-all }}</ref> four of which were the subject of Allen's August 2010 [[patent infringement]] lawsuit against [[AOL]], [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[eBay]], Facebook, Google, [[Netflix]], [[Office Depot]], [[OfficeMax]], [[Staples Inc.|Staples]], [[Yahoo!]], and YouTube.<ref>{{cite news| title=Allen sues Google, Apple, others over patents| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS201024637120100828| date=August 27, 2010| work=Reuters| access-date=July 1, 2017| archive-date=September 19, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919005942/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS201024637120100828| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="wsj2010">{{cite news | title= Microsoft Co-Founder Launches Patent War | url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703294904575385241453119382 | date= August 28, 2010 | work= [[The Wall Street Journal]] | author= Dionne Searcey | access-date= August 29, 2010 | archive-date= January 24, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150124200146/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703294904575385241453119382 | url-status= live }}</ref>
* '''Ticketmaster:''' In November 1993, Allen invested more than $325 million to acquire 80% of [[Ticketmaster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-11-23-9311230042-story.html|date=November 22, 1993|title=MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER PAUL ALLEN BUYS CONTROL OF TICKETMASTER|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728053001/https://www.chicagotribune.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=20yrs>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|page=17|title=Industry's #1 has a ticket to rule|last=Sandler|first=Adam}}</ref> In 1997, [[Home Shopping Network]] acquired 47.5% of Allen's stock in exchange for $209 million worth of their own stock.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Budnick|first1=Dean|last2=Baron|first2=Josh|title=Ticket Masters: the rise of the concert industry and how the public got scalped|year=2011|publisher=ECW Press|location=Toronto|isbn=978-1-55022-949-3|pages=227–229, 232}}</ref>
* '''Charter Communications:''' In 1998, Allen bought a controlling interest in [[Charter Communications]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/charter-communications-inc-history/|title=History of Charter Communications, Inc. – FundingUniverse|website=www.fundinguniverse.com|language=en|access-date=November 23, 2017|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527020857/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/charter-communications-inc-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> Charter filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 2009, with Allen's loss estimated at $7 billion. Allen kept a small stake after Charter emerged from reorganization, worth $535 million in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/paul-allen-charter-and-what-might-have-been-jon-talton/|title=Paul Allen, Charter and what might have been {{!}} Jon Talton|date=May 27, 2015|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=February 6, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190400/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/paul-allen-charter-and-what-might-have-been-jon-talton/|url-status=live}}</ref> The company's 2016 purchase and subsequent merger of [[Time Warner Cable]] with Charter's subsidiary, [[Spectrum (cable service)|Spectrum]], made Charter Communications the second-largest cable company in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-charter-time-warner-cable-20160517-snap-story.html|title=Charter completes purchase of Time Warner Cable, Bright House|date=May 18, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 23, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718085742/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-charter-time-warner-cable-20160517-snap-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-17/so-long-time-warner-cable-charter-to-retire-much-maligned-brand|title=So Long Time Warner Cable: Charter to Retire Much-Maligned Brand - Bloomberg|website=[[Bloomberg News]]|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=November 23, 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518095150/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-17/so-long-time-warner-cable-charter-to-retire-much-maligned-brand|archive-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

===Aerospace===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="125">
File:SpaceShipOne Takeoff photo Don Ramey Logan.jpg|[[SpaceShipOne]] on ramp before takeoff in October 2004
File:SS1Group01.jpg|(L-R) [[Marion Blakey]], [[Mike Melvill]], [[Richard Branson]], [[Burt Rutan]], [[Brian Binnie]], and Allen following first flight
File:Ansari X-Prize Check.jpg|Allen (third from right) and Rutan (fifth from right) were awarded the [[Ansari X PRIZE]] by members of the [[X PRIZE Foundation]] in November 2004.
File:SpaceShipOne.jpg|SpaceShipOne at the [[National Air and Space Museum]]
</gallery>

Allen confirmed that he was the sole investor behind aerospace engineer and entrepreneur [[Burt Rutan]]'s [[SpaceShipOne]] [[suborbital]] commercial [[spacecraft]] on October 4, 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vulcan Underwrites SpaceShipOne |url=http://www.vulcan.com/TemplateCompany.aspx?contentId=94 |access-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331064258/http://www.vulcan.com/TemplateCompany.aspx?contentId=94 |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }}</ref> The craft was developed and flown by [[Mojave Aerospace Ventures]], which was a joint venture between Allen and Rutan's aviation company, [[Scaled Composites]]. SpaceShipOne climbed to an altitude of {{convert|367442|ft|m|0}} over the [[Mojave Air and Space Port]] and was the first privately funded effort to successfully put a civilian in suborbital space. It won the [[Ansari X Prize]] competition and received the $10&nbsp;million prize.<ref>{{Cite news|access-date=March 31, 2008|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/index.html|title=SpaceShipOne captures X Prize|work=CNN|date=October 4, 2004|author=Ina Fried|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321070412/http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/index.html|archive-date=March 21, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On December 13, 2011, Allen announced the creation of [[Stratolaunch Systems]], based at the [[Mojave Air and Space Port]]. The [[Scaled Composites Stratolaunch|Stratolaunch]] is a proposed orbital launch system consisting of a dual-bodied, 6-engine jet aircraft, capable of carrying a rocket to high altitude; the rocket would then separate from its carrier aircraft and fire its own engines to complete its climb into orbit. If successful, this project would be the first wholly privately funded space transport system.<ref>{{Cite news|access-date=December 13, 2011|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203518404577096493595261190|title=Paul Allen, Supersizing Space Flight|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 14, 2011|author=Andy Pasztor and Dionne Searcey|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518192214/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203518404577096493595261190|url-status=live}}</ref> Stratolaunch, which is partnering with [[Orbital ATK]] and Scaled Composites, is intended to launch in inclement weather, fly without worrying about the availability of launch pads and to operate from different locations. Stratolaunch plans to ultimately host six to ten missions per year.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=October 28, 2013|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-the-shuttle-done-a-co-founder-of-microsoft-sees-an-opening-in-space/2013/07/29/13175a0a-dce2-11e2-85de-c03ca84cb4ef_story.html|title=With the shuttle done, a co-founder of Microsoft sees an opening in space|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 29, 2013|author=Gugliotta, Guy|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213944/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-07-29/national/40887803_1_stratolaunch-space-shuttle-deep-space-missions|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 13, 2015, Vulcan Aerospace was announced. It is the company within Allen's Vulcan Inc. that plans and executes projects to shift how the world conceptualizes space travel through cost reduction and on-demand access.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcan.com/areas-of-practice/space/key-initiatives/space-projects-overview |title=Aerospace |publisher=Vulcan |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719081805/http://www.vulcan.com/areas-of-practice/space/key-initiatives/space-projects-overview |archive-date=July 19, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Stratolaunch comparison.svg|thumb|Wingspan of 2019 [[Scaled Composites Stratolaunch|Stratolaunch]]]]

On April 13, 2019, the Stratolaunch aircraft made its maiden flight, reaching {{cvt|15,000|ft}} and 165&nbsp;kn (305&nbsp;km/h) in a 2 h 29 min flight.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/airlines/a27148543/stratolaunch-first-flight-video-images/ |title=The World's Largest Plane's First Flight From Every Angle |date=April 15, 2019 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |access-date=April 15, 2019 |quote=The tests come after a long series of taxi tests that always stopped just short of achieving actual flight, but now that threshold has been crossed, and the engineers seem pleased with the results. |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415161852/https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/airlines/a27148543/stratolaunch-first-flight-video-images/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/stratolaunch-flight/ |title=Stratolaunch, the World's Biggest Airplane, Takes Flight |date=April 13, 2019 |magazine= Wired |access-date=April 15, 2019 |quote=the company hopes to use the twin-fuselage, six-engined, catamaran-style aircraft to launch satellite-bearing rockets into space. |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415060716/https://www.wired.com/story/stratolaunch-flight/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Stratolaunch CEO Jean Floyd offered this comment: "We dedicate this day to the man who inspired us all to strive for ways to empower the world's problem-solvers, Paul Allen. Without a doubt, he would have been exceptionally proud to see his aircraft take flight". Upon its flight, the airplane became the largest in history by [[wingspan]].<ref name=ArsTechnica>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/stratolaunch-the-worlds-biggest-airplane-takes-flight/ |title=Stratolaunch, the World's Biggest Airplane, Takes Flight |date=April 14, 2019 |publisher=Condé Nast Ars Technica |access-date=April 15, 2019 |quote="Even though he wasn't there today, as the plane lifted gracefully from the runway, I did whisper a 'thank you' to Paul for allowing me to be a part of this remarkable achievement, |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414231706/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/stratolaunch-the-worlds-biggest-airplane-takes-flight/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of the end of May 2019, Stratolaunch Systems Corporation had ceased operations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-stratolaunch-exclus/exclusive-space-firm-founded-by-billionaire-paul-allen-closing-operations-sources-idUSKCN1T12FD |title=Exclusive: Space firm founded by billionaire Paul Allen closing operations - sources |date=May 31, 2019 |work=Reuters |access-date=June 5, 2019 |quote="Stratolaunch Systems Corporation, the space company founded by late billionaire and Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen, is closing operations, cutting short ambitious plans to challenge traditional aerospace companies in a new "space race," four people familiar with the matter said on Friday." |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604230357/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-stratolaunch-exclus/exclusive-space-firm-founded-by-billionaire-paul-allen-closing-operations-sources-idUSKCN1T12FD |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Real estate===
Allen's '''Vulcan Real Estate'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vulcanrealestate.com/|title=Vulcan Real Estate|last=ifthen.com|website=vulcanrealestate.com|language=en|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=July 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709120337/http://www.vulcanrealestate.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> division offers development and portfolio management services, and is known{{by whom|date=July 2024}} for the redevelopment of the [[South Lake Union, Seattle|South Lake Union]] neighborhood immediately north of downtown Seattle.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/06/09/a-look-at-six-u-s-cities-pioneering-new-economic-zones/|title=A Look at Six U.S. Cities Pioneering New Economic Zones|author=Nick Timiraos|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 9, 2014|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 4, 2017|archive-date=November 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127100431/https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/06/09/a-look-at-six-u-s-cities-pioneering-new-economic-zones/|url-status=live}}</ref> Vulcan has developed {{convert|6.3|e6sqft|sqm}} of new residential, office, retail and [[biotechnology]] research space, and has a total development capacity of {{convert|10000000|sqft|abbr=on}}. Vulcan advocated for the Seattle Streetcar line known as [[South Lake Union Streetcar]], which runs from Seattle's [[Westlake Center]] to the south end of Lake Union.<ref>{{cite news| url =http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/amazon-plan-adds-more-streetcar-trips/| title =Amazon plan adds more streetcar trips| author =Mike Lindblom| newspaper =The Seattle Times| date =September 22, 2012| access-date =April 9, 2015| archive-date =April 22, 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150422102437/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/amazon-plan-adds-more-streetcar-trips/| url-status =live}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' called Allen's South Lake Union investment "unexpectedly lucrative" and one that led to his firm selling a {{convert|1800000|sqft|adj=mid}} office complex to [[Amazon.com]] for US$1.16&nbsp;billion, one of the most expensive office deals ever in Seattle.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2012/10/amazon-to-pay-116b-for-11-seattle.html?page=all|title=UPDATED: Amazon paying $1.16B for its 11-building Seattle campus|author=Jeanne Lang Jones|newspaper=Puget Sound Business Journal|date=October 5, 2012|access-date=February 7, 2015|archive-date=February 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207034458/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2012/10/amazon-to-pay-116b-for-11-seattle.html?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref> "It's exceeded my expectations", Allen said of the South Lake Union development.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Eliot |title=Microsoft Co-Founder Succeeds in Seattle |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324595904578117203718713518 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 14, 2012 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032821/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324595904578117203718713518 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Venues===
* '''Sports and event centers''': Allen funded the development of Portland's [[Moda Center]], which he purchased in 2007.<ref>[https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/microsoft-co-founder-trail-blazers-owner-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer/283-604577534 Microsoft co-founder, Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen dies of cancer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016020631/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/microsoft-co-founder-trail-blazers-owner-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer/283-604577534 |date=October 16, 2018 }} KGW</ref> He also contributed $130&nbsp;million to help build [[CenturyLink Field]] in Seattle.<ref>[https://www.seahawks.com/team/facilities/centurylink-field/ CenturyLink Field] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032824/https://www.seahawks.com/team/facilities/centurylink-field/ |date=October 16, 2018 }} seahawks.com</ref>
* '''[[Seattle Cinerama]]:''' Allen purchased Seattle's historic Cinerama Theater in 1998, and upgraded it with 3-D capability and digital sound, in addition to interior and exterior refurbishing. The theater installed the world's first commercial digital laser projector in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=History - Cinerama - Seattle's Most Epic Movie Experience |url=https://cinerama.com/History.aspx |website=cinerama.com |language=en |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032707/https://cinerama.com/History.aspx |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''[[The Hospital Club|Hospital Club]]:''' Allen opened the Hospital Club in London in 2004 as a professional and social hub for people working in the creative arts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vincent |first1=Roger |title=Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bringing hip London club to Hollywood and Vine - Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hospital-club-hollywood-20170125-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 31, 2017 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032746/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hospital-club-hollywood-20170125-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  A second location in Los Angeles is under construction.<ref>{{cite web |title=h.Club LA Takes Shape at Hollywood & Vine |url=https://urbanize.la/post/hclub-la-takes-shape-hollywood-vine |website=Urbanize LA |language=en |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032645/https://urbanize.la/post/hclub-la-takes-shape-hollywood-vine |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sports team ownership===
====Portland Trail Blazers====
{{Main|Portland Trail Blazers}}
Allen purchased the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team in 1988 from California real estate developer [[Larry Weinberg (businessman)|Larry Weinberg]] for $70&nbsp;million.<ref name="trailblazers">{{cite web|access-date=March 31, 2008 |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/features/Learn_More_About_Larry_Weinber-44362-41.html |title=Learn More About Larry Weinberg |work=NBA.com |publisher=[[National Basketball Association]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306192329/http://www.nba.com/blazers/features/Learn_More_About_Larry_Weinber-44362-41.html |archive-date=March 6, 2008 }}</ref> He was instrumental in the development and funding of the [[Moda Center]] (previously known as the Rose Garden), the arena where the Blazers play. He purchased the arena on April 2, 2007, and stated that this was a major milestone and a positive step for the franchise.<ref name="before microsoft"/><ref name="quiet owner">{{Cite magazine|access-date=March 30, 2008 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/11/27/paul.allen1203/ |title=The Quiet Owner: Paul Allen |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 27, 2007 |last=Wertheim |first=L. Jon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201044646/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/11/27/paul.allen1203/ |archive-date=December 1, 2007 }}</ref> The Allen-owned Trail Blazers reached the playoffs 19 times including the [[NBA Finals]] in [[1990 NBA Finals|1990]] and [[1992 NBA Finals|1992]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/ |title=Portland Trail Blazers Franchise Index |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=August 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810002007/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''Forbes'', the Blazers were valued at $2.09&nbsp;billion in 2021 and ranked No. 13 out of 30 NBA teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers on the Forbes NBA Team Valuations List |url=https://www.forbes.com/teams/portland-trail-blazers/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

====Seattle Seahawks====
{{Main|Seattle Seahawks}}
Allen purchased the [[National Football League]]'s [[Seattle Seahawks]] in [[1997 Seattle Seahawks season|1997]] from owner [[Ken Behring]],<ref name=astdl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u-4xAAAAIBAJ&pg=2623%2C150112 |work=Eugene Register-Guard  |agency=Associated Press |last=Klass |first=Tim |title=Allen seals the deal to buy Seahawks from Behring |date=July 1, 1997 |page=1D}}</ref><ref name=comsspu>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=58ReAAAAIBAJ&pg=4106%2C113195 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune|agency=(Seattle Post-Intelligencer)|last=Boren |first=Rebecca |title=Allen completes purchase |date=July 1, 1997 |page=1B}}</ref> who had attempted to move the team to [[southern California]] the [[1996 Seattle Seahawks season|previous year]].<ref name="seahawks">{{Cite news|access-date=March 31, 2008|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n13_v220/ai_18129768|title=Behring straits&nbsp;– Seattle Seahawks owner Ken Behring|work=[[Sporting News]]|date=March 25, 1996|last=Attner|first=Paul|archive-date=November 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115231539/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n13_v220/ai_18129768/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=bvows>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s21XAAAAIBAJ&pg=1415%2C1542452 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=(Orange County Register) |last=Smith |first=Elliot Blair |title=Behring vows never to play in Seattle again |date=February 4, 1996 |page=C1}}</ref><ref name=bdwart>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DIokAAAAIBAJ&pg=2813%2C483322 |work=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=(Idaho-Washington) |agency=(Seattle Post-Intelligencer)|last1=Boren |first1=Rebecca |last2=Penhale |first2=Ed |last3=Bruscas |first3=Angelo |title=Behring sets up bidding war for team in transit |date=February 6, 1996 |page=1C}}</ref> Herman Sarkowsky, a former Seahawks minority owner, told ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' about Allen's decision to buy the team, "I'm not sure anybody else in this community would have done what [Allen] did."<ref>{{cite news|access-date=October 28, 2013|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2022126162_seahawks27xml.html|title=How the Seahawks were saved from California's clutches|work=The Seattle Times|last=Jenks|first=Jayson|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213721/http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2022126162_seahawks27xml.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, the team moved into Seahawks Stadium (now known as [[Lumen Field]]), after Allen invested into the upgrade of the stadium.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/obituaries/paul-allen-dead.html|title=Paul G. Allen, Microsoft's Co-Founder, Is Dead at 65|last=Lohr|first=Steve|date=October 15, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 30, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104060324/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/obituaries/paul-allen-dead.html|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Acquired for US$200&nbsp;million in 1997,<ref name=astdl/><ref name=comsspu/> the Seahawks were valued at $1.33&nbsp;billion in August 2014 by ''[[Forbes]]'', which says the team has "one of the most rabid fan bases in the NFL".<ref>{{cite magazine| url = https://www.forbes.com/teams/seattle-seahawks/| title = Seattle Seahawks| magazine = [[Forbes]]| date = August 2014| access-date = September 7, 2017| archive-date = October 16, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171016195309/https://www.forbes.com/teams/seattle-seahawks/| url-status = live}}</ref> Under the helm of Allen, the Seahawks made the [[Super Bowl]] three times following [[NFC Championship Game|NFC Championship]] victories ([[2005 Seattle Seahawks season|2005]], [[2013 Seattle Seahawks season|2013]], [[2014 Seattle Seahawks season|2014]]), and won [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] in February 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Branch |first=John |date=February 3, 2014 |title=For Seattle, the Fun May Be Just Starting |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/sports/football/after-doing-it-their-way-seahawks-savor-the-moment.html |access-date=January 20, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

====Seattle Sounders FC====
{{Main|Seattle Sounders FC}}
Allen's Vulcan Sports & Entertainment is part of the ownership team of the Seattle Sounders FC, a [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) franchise that began play in 2009 at [[CenturyLink Field]], a stadium which was also controlled by Allen.<ref name="soccer">{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=480678&cc=5901 |title=Seattle to Get Expansion MLS Franchise for 2009 |access-date=November 10, 2007 |date=November 9, 2007 |work=ESPN |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525154957/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=480678&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ownership team also includes film producer [[Joe Roth]], businessman [[Adrian Hanauer]], and comedian [[Drew Carey]]. The Sounders sold out every home game during its first season, setting a new MLS record for average match attendance.<ref>{{cite news |first=José Miguel|last= Romero |title=Sounders success story, by the numbers |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=November 4, 2009 |access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108012102/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html|archive-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref>

===Filmmaking===
Allen and his sister, [[Jody Allen]], together were the owners and executive producers of [[Vulcan Productions]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/ |title=Vulcan Productions Homepage |work=Vulcan Productions |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218145355/http://vulcanproductions.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a television and film production company headquartered in Seattle within the entertainment division of Vulcan Inc. Their films have received various recognition, ranging from a [[Peabody Award]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050412005953/en/Vulcan-Productions-Wins-Peabody-Award-Produced-Discovery |title=Vulcan Productions Wins First Peabody Award; Produced with Discovery Channel, 'Black Sky: The Race for Space' Chronicles Successful X-Prize Attempt and the Allen/Rutan Partnership |publisher=Business Wire |date=April 12, 2005 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504152851/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050412005953/en/Vulcan-Productions-Wins-Peabody-Award-Produced-Discovery |url-status=live }}</ref> to [[Independent Spirit Awards]],<ref name="vulcanproductions.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/far-from-heaven.html |title=Project |work=Vulcan Productions |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715215533/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/far-from-heaven.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> [[Grammy]]s<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/no-direction-home-bob-dylan.html |title=Project |work=Vulcan Productions |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715214643/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/no-direction-home-bob-dylan.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> and [[Emmys]].

In 2014 alone, Allen's film, ''We The Economy,'' won 12&nbsp;awards including a [[Webby award]] for best Online News & Politics Series. The films have also been nominated for [[Golden Globes]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/> and [[Academy Awards]]<ref name="vulcanproductions.com"/> among many others. Vulcan Productions' films and documentary projects include ''[[Far from Heaven]]''<ref name="vulcanproductions.com"/> (2002), ''[[Hard Candy (film)|Hard Candy]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297884/?ref_=nv_sr_1|title=Far from Heaven (2002)|work=IMDb|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=May 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526065130/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297884/?ref_=nv_sr_1|url-status=live}}</ref> (2005), ''Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/rx-for-survivala-global-health-challengetm.html |title=Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge |work=Vulcan Productions |date=April 12, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715222739/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/rx-for-survivala-global-health-challengetm.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424136/?ref_=nv_sr_1|title=Hard Candy (2005)|work=IMDb|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=May 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526065112/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424136/?ref_=nv_sr_1|url-status=live}}</ref> (2005), ''[[Where God Left His Shoes]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421045/?ref_=nv_sr_1|title=Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas (2006)|work=IMDb|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=May 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526065118/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421045/?ref_=nv_sr_1|url-status=live}}</ref> (2006), ''[[Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/judgment-day-intelligent-design-on-trial.html |title=Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial |work=Vulcan Productions |date=November 13, 2007 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715222527/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/judgment-day-intelligent-design-on-trial.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/judgment-day-intelligent-design-on-trial.html |title=Project |work=Vulcan Productions |date=November 13, 2007 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715222527/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/judgment-day-intelligent-design-on-trial.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> (2007), ''This Emotional Life''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/this-emotional-life.html |title=Project |work=Vulcan Productions |access-date=July 31, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725011648/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/this-emotional-life.html |archive-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/this-emotional-life.html |title=Project |work=Vulcan Productions |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715230020/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/this-emotional-life.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> (2010), ''We The Economy''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wetheeconomy.com |title=WE THE ECONOMY 20 Short Films You Can't Afford To Miss |work=We The Economy |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725070405/https://wetheeconomy.com/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (2014) ''[[Racing Extinction]]''<ref>[https://www.racingextinction.com/#/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824182647/https://www.racingextinction.com/#/|date=August 24, 2015}}</ref> (2015) and Oscar-nominated ''[[Body Team 12]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4430002/|title=Body Team 12|work=IMDb|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904011440/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4430002/|url-status=live}}</ref> (2015).

In 2013, Vulcan Productions co-produced the Richard E. Robbins-directed film ''[[Girl Rising (film)|Girl Rising]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2444946/?ref_=nv_sr_1|title=Girl Rising (2013)|work=IMDb|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=July 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726192634/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2444946/?ref_=nv_sr_1|url-status=live}}</ref> which tells the stories of girls from different parts of the world who seek an education. Globally, over 205&nbsp;million households watched ''Girl Rising'' during the CNN premier,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/specials/world/girl-rising/ | work=CNN | title=Girl Rising | access-date=April 2, 2016 | archive-date=April 14, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414231414/http://www.cnn.com/specials/world/girl-rising/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and over 4&nbsp;million people have engaged with ''Girl Rising'' through websites and social media. Through the associated 10×10 program, over $2.1&nbsp;million has been donated to help girls receive an education worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.girlrising.com/give/?id10x10=5F081DE22EDC70C6 |title=Girl Rising |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029215352/http://www.girlrising.com/give/?id10x10=5F081DE22EDC70C6 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}</ref>

Also in 2013, Vulcan Productions signed on as a producing partner of ''[[Pandora's Promise]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://robertstoneproductions.com/project/pandoras-promise/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815233521/http://pandoraspromise.com/#/synopsis|url-status=dead|title=Pandora's Promise – Robert Stone Productions|archive-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref> a documentary about nuclear power, directed by Oscar-nominated director [[Robert Stone (director)|Robert Stone]]. It was released on CNN in November 2013. A variety of college and private screenings as well as panel discussions have been hosted throughout the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/pandoras-promise.html |title=Project |work=Vulcan Productions |date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701062117/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/projects/detail/pandoras-promise.html |archive-date=July 1, 2014}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
Allen gave more than $2&nbsp;billion towards the advancement of science, technology, education, wildlife conservation, the arts, and community services in his lifetime.<ref name="Expanded bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.paulallen.com/About-Paul/Expanded-Bio |title=Expanded Bio |work=Paul Allen |access-date=July 31, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722094157/http://www.paulallen.com/About-Paul/Expanded-Bio |archive-date=July 22, 2015 }}</ref> The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, which he founded with his sister Jody, was established to administer a portion of Allen's philanthropic contributions. Since its formation, the foundation has given more than $494&nbsp;million to over 1,500 nonprofits; and,<ref name="pgafamilyfoundation.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.pgafamilyfoundation.org/Grants/Giving-History |title=Giving History – PGA Foundations |work=PGA Family Foundation |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722041319/http://www.pgafamilyfoundation.org/Grants/Giving-History |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in 2010, Allen became a signatory of [[The Giving Pledge]], promising to give at least half of his fortune to philanthropic causes.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/jul/15/microsoft-paul-allen-charity|title = Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to give half of his fortune to charity|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = July 15, 2010|access-date = December 16, 2016|archive-date = April 27, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170427102205/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/jul/15/microsoft-paul-allen-charity|url-status = live}}</ref> Allen received commendations for his philanthropic commitments including the [[Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carnegiemedals.org/|title=Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626072654/http://www.carnegiemedals.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Inside Philanthropy]]'''s "Philanthropist of the Year".<ref name="insidephilanthropy.com"/>

===Science and research===
[[File:Paul G. Allen at Allen Institute for Brain Science.jpg|right|thumb|Allen (right) studies a brain sample with Allan Jones, CEO of the [[Allen Institute for Brain Science]], in 2011.]]
In September 2003, Allen launched the [[Allen Institute for Brain Science]] with a $100&nbsp;million contribution dedicated to understanding how the human brain works. In total, Allen donated $500&nbsp;million to the institute, making it his single largest philanthropic recipient. Since its launch, the Allen Institute for Brain Science has taken a [[Big Science]] and [[open science]] approach to tackle projects. The institute makes research tools available to the scientific community using an open data model.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2012/03/21/billionaire-paul-g-allen-donates-300-million-in-brain-research-to-understand-what-makes-us-human/|title = Billionaire Paul Allen Pours $500 Million into Quest To Find The Essence of Humanity in the Brain|work = Forbes|first = Matthew|last = Herper|access-date = September 7, 2017|archive-date = October 29, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181029192425/https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2012/03/21/billionaire-paul-g-allen-donates-300-million-in-brain-research-to-understand-what-makes-us-human/2/|url-status = live}}</ref> Some of the institute's projects include the [[Allen Mouse Brain Atlas]], [[Allen Human Brain Atlas]] and the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas. The Allen Institute is also helping to advance and shape the [[White House]]'s [[BRAIN Initiative]] as well as the [[Human Brain Project]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alleninstitute.org/our-research/global-impact|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401122051/http://www.alleninstitute.org/our-research/global-impact/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 1, 2014|title=Global Impact – Allen Institute for Brain Science|work=alleninstitute.org|access-date=November 11, 2015}}</ref>

Founded in 2014, the [[Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence]] (AI2)'s main focus is to research and engineer [[artificial intelligence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allenai.org/about.html|title=AI2 : Our Vision|work=allenai.org|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014000/http://allenai.org/about.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The institute is modeled after the [[Allen Institute for Brain Science]] and led by researcher and professor, Dr. [[Oren Etzioni]]. AI2 has undertaken four main projects, Aristo, [[Semantic Scholar]], Euclid, and Plato. {{as of|2015}} Project Aristo is working to build an AI system capable of passing an 8th-grade science exam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2015/show-paul-allens-ai2-that-your-ai-is-as-smart-as-an-8th-grader-for-a-shot-to-win-50k/|title=Is your AI as smart as an 8th grader? Prove it to Paul Allen's AI2 for a shot to win $50K – GeekWire|author=Molly Brown|work=GeekWire|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=October 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008032355/http://www.geekwire.com/2015/show-paul-allens-ai2-that-your-ai-is-as-smart-as-an-8th-grader-for-a-shot-to-win-50k/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2014, Allen committed $100&nbsp;million to create the [[Allen Institute for Cell Science]] in Seattle. The institute is investigating and creating a virtual model of cells in the hope of bringing forth treatment of different diseases.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paulallen.com/news/news-articles/paul-allen-100-million-create-cell-science-institu |title=100&nbsp;million create cell science institute |work=Paul Allen |date=December 8, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717111617/http://www.paulallen.com/news/news-articles/paul-allen-100-million-create-cell-science-institu |archive-date=July 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Like the institutes before it, all data generated and tools developed will be made publicly available online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2014/12/paul-allen-donates-100-million-to-create-cell.html?page=all|title=Paul Allen donates $100&nbsp;million to create cell science institute in Seattle|date=December 8, 2014|work=Puget Sound Business Journal|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101102027/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2014/12/paul-allen-donates-100-million-to-create-cell.html?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref>

Launched in 2016 with a $100&nbsp;million commitment, The [[Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group]] aims to discover and support ideas at the frontier of bioscience in an effort to accelerate the pace of discovery.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Buhr|first1=Sarah|title=Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen pledges $100&nbsp;million toward cutting-edge biotech research|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/23/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-pledges-100-million-toward-cutting-edge-biotech-research/|website=Tech Crunch|date=March 23, 2016 |access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=March 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328030609/http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/23/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-pledges-100-million-toward-cutting-edge-biotech-research/|url-status=live}}</ref> The group will target scientists and research areas that "some might consider out-of-the-box at the very edges of knowledge".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Boyle|first1=Alan|title=Paul Allen launches $100M Frontiers Group program for 'out-of-the-box' bioscience research|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/paul-allen-starts-frontiers-group-program-bioscience-research-100-million/|website=GeekWire|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324030757/http://www.geekwire.com/2016/paul-allen-starts-frontiers-group-program-bioscience-research-100-million/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Allen launched the Allen Distinguished Investigators Awards (ADI) in 2010 to support scientists pursuing early-stage research projects who often have difficulty securing funding from traditional sources.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allen-gives-75-million-to-young-scientists-with-big-ideas/ |title=Paul Allen gives $7.5&nbsp;million to young scientists with big ideas |date=February 28, 2013 |last=Doughton |first=Sandi |author-link=Sandi Doughton |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406112851/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allen-gives-75-million-to-young-scientists-with-big-ideas/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Allen donated the seed money to build [[SETI]]'s [[Allen Telescope Array]], eventually contributing $30&nbsp;million to the project.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2012/04/13/uc-berkeley-passes-management-of-allen-telescope-array-to-sri/|title = UC Berkeley passes management of Allen Telescope Array to SRI|date = April 13, 2012|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = October 23, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061917/http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2012/04/13/uc-berkeley-passes-management-of-allen-telescope-array-to-sri/|url-status = live}}</ref>

The [[Paul Allen's flower fly]] was named in recognition of his contributions to [[Dipterology]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/syrphid/allen.htm|title = Paul Allen's Flower Fly|url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080228231710/http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/syrphid/allen.htm|archive-date = February 28, 2008|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

===Environment and conservation===
Allen provided more than $7&nbsp;million to fund a census of elephant populations in Africa, the largest such endeavour since the 1970s. The [[Great Elephant Census]] team flew over 20 countries to survey African savannah elephants.  The survey results were published in 2015 and showed rapid rates of decline which were accelerating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/|title=Great Elephant Census|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=December 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202120328/http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

He began supporting the [[University of British Columbia]]'s [[Sea Around Us (organization)|Sea Around Us]] Project in 2014 to improve data on global fisheries as a way to fight [[illegal fishing]]. Part of his $2.6&nbsp;million in funding went towards the creation of [[FishBase]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fishbase.org/search.php|title=Search FishBase|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=December 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228180119/http://www.fishbase.org/search.php|url-status=live}}</ref> an online database about adult finfish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2015/7/14/paul-allens-conservation-giving-is-going-after-data-now-on-s.html|title=Paul Allen's Conservation Giving is Going After Data, Now on Sharks – Inside Philanthropy: Fundraising Intelligence – Inside Philanthropy|work=insidephilanthropy.com|date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101102028/http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2015/7/14/paul-allens-conservation-giving-is-going-after-data-now-on-s.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Allen funded the Global FinPrint initiative, launched in July 2015, a three-year survey of sharks and rays in coral reef areas. The survey is the largest of its kind and designed to provide data to help conservation programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2015/07/08/paul-allen-shark-research/|title=Microsoft's Paul Allen launches major conservation project during 'shark week'|author=Kimberly Truong|date=July 9, 2015|work=Mashable|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127185715/http://mashable.com/2015/07/08/paul-allen-shark-research/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/on-the-hunt-for-sunken-ships-paul-allens-team-captures-rare-footage-of-a-sixgill-shark/ On the hunt for sunken ships, Paul Allen's team captures rare footage of a sixgill shark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081418/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/on-the-hunt-for-sunken-ships-paul-allens-team-captures-rare-footage-of-a-sixgill-shark/ |date=October 16, 2018 }} The Seattle Times</ref>

Allen backed [[Washington state]] initiative 1401 to prohibit the purchase, sale and distribution of products made from 10 endangered species including elephants, rhinos, lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, marine turtles, pangolins, sharks and rays. The initiative gained enough signatures to be on the state's ballot on November 3, 2015, and passed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/politics-government/election/article42498507.html|title=Washington voters pass wildlife trafficking initiative|work=theolympian|access-date=November 11, 2015}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Alongside the [[United States Department of Transportation]] (USDOT), Allen and Vulcan Inc. launched the Smart City Challenge,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity|website=Transportation.gov|access-date=February 16, 2016|title=Smart City Challenge|archive-date=January 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130151207/https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity|url-status=live}}</ref> a contest inviting American cities to transform their transportation systems. Created in 2015 with the USDOT's $40&nbsp;million commitment as well as $10&nbsp;million from Allen's Vulcan Inc., the challenge aims to create a first-of-its-kind modern city that will demonstrate how cities can improve quality of life while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Davies|first1=Alex|title=The $50 Million Competition to Remake the American City|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/12/the-50-million-competition-to-remake-the-american-city/|magazine=Wired|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208061535/http://www.wired.com/2015/12/the-50-million-competition-to-remake-the-american-city/|url-status=live}}</ref> The winning city was [[Columbus, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Donovan|first=Jay|date=June 23, 2016|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/23/columbus-ohio-officially-winner-of-dot-smart-city-challenge-and-140-million-in-innovation-grants|title=Columbus, Ohio officially winner of DOT Smart City Challenge and $140 million in innovation grants|work=techcrunch|access-date=May 13, 2016|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624005229/https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/23/columbus-ohio-officially-winner-of-dot-smart-city-challenge-and-140-million-in-innovation-grants/|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a member of the [[International SeaKeepers Society]], Allen hosted its proprietary SeaKeeper 1000TM oceanographic and atmospheric monitoring system on all three of his megayachts.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/27/seakeepers.superyachts.data.collection/|title = Superyacht owners secret weapon in fight against global warming|work = CNN|date = January 27, 2010|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = October 23, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023064652/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/27/seakeepers.superyachts.data.collection/|url-status = live}}</ref>

Allen funded the building of [[microgrid]]s, which are small-scale power grids that can operate independently, in Kenya, to help promote reusable energy and empower its businesses and residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@vulcaninc/investing-in-a-vibrant-africa-d73d22fbafe9|title=Investing in a Vibrant Africa|author=Vulcan Inc.|work=Medium|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101102027/https://medium.com/@vulcaninc/investing-in-a-vibrant-africa-d73d22fbafe9|url-status=live}}</ref> He was an early investor in the Mawingu Networks, a wireless and solar-powered Internet provider which aims to connect rural Africa with the world, and Off Grid Electric, a company focused on providing solar energy to people in emerging nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/03/21/off-grid-electric-gets-7m-to-light-africa-in-a-decade-exclusive/|title=Off Grid Electric gets $7M to 'light Africa in a decade' (exclusive) – VentureBeat – Deals – by Christina Farr|work=VentureBeat|date=March 21, 2014|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101102027/http://venturebeat.com/2014/03/21/off-grid-electric-gets-7m-to-light-africa-in-a-decade-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ebola===
In 2014, Allen pledged at least $100&nbsp;million toward the fight to end the [[Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa]],<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/business/paul-allen-to-give-100-million-to-tackle-ebola-crisis.html?_r=1| title = Paul Allen to Give $100 Million to Tackle Ebola Crisis| author = Stephanie Strom| newspaper = The New York Times| date = October 23, 2014| access-date = February 28, 2017| archive-date = July 9, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170709104751/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/business/paul-allen-to-give-100-million-to-tackle-ebola-crisis.html?_r=1| url-status = live}}</ref> making him the largest private donor in the Ebola crisis. He also created a website called TackleEbola.org<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tackleebola.org |title=Home |work=Tackle Ebola |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816034428/http://www.tackleebola.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as a way to spread awareness and serve as a vehicle for donors to fund projects in need. The site highlighted organizations working to stop Ebola that Allen supported, such as [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement]], [[Médecins Sans Frontières]], [[Partners in Health]], [[UNICEF]] and [[World Food Program USA]]. On April 21, 2015, Allen brought together key leaders in the Ebola fight at the Ebola Innovation Summit in San Francisco. The summit aimed to share key learnings and reinforce the need for continued action and support to reduce the number of Ebola cases to zero, which was achieved in January 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hanley |first=Blair |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2015/lessons-from-the-worlds-ebola-response-faster-intervention-better-communication-needed/ |title=Lessons from the world's Ebola response: faster intervention, better communication needed |work=GeekWire |date=April 21, 2015 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=August 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818124659/http://www.geekwire.com/2015/lessons-from-the-worlds-ebola-response-faster-intervention-better-communication-needed/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2015, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced it would award seven new grants totaling $11&nbsp;million to prevent future widespread outbreaks of the virus.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul G. Allen Ebola Program Awards $11 Million to Prevent Epidemics|url=http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/paul-g.-allen-ebola-program-awards-11-million-to-prevent-epidemics|work=Philanthropy News Digest|access-date=November 4, 2015|archive-date=November 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114192744/http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/paul-g.-allen-ebola-program-awards-11-million-to-prevent-epidemics|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Exploration ===
[[File:RV Petrel in Surigao City after her 2018 retrofit in Singapore.jpg|thumb|{{Ship|RV|Petrel}} arriving at [[Surigao City]] in 2018]]
In 2012, along with his research team and the [[Royal Navy]], Allen attempted to retrieve the [[ship's bell]] from {{HMS|Hood|51|6}}, which sank in the [[Denmark Strait]] during World War II, but the attempt failed due to poor weather. On August 7, 2015, they tried again and recovered the bell in very good condition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11793192/HMS-Hoods-bell-recovered-from-seabed-by-Microsoft-co-founder.html|title=HMS Hood's bell recovered from seabed by Microsoft co-founder|last=Farmer|first=Ben|date=August 9, 2015|work=The Telegraph|access-date=April 6, 2017|archive-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406111524/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11793192/HMS-Hoods-bell-recovered-from-seabed-by-Microsoft-co-founder.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was restored and put on display in May 2016 in the [[National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth]], in remembrance of the 1,415 crewmen lost.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36361855|title=HMS Hood's bell unveiled at Navy museum Portsmouth|date=May 24, 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=April 6, 2017|archive-date=April 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414035954/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36361855|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2015, Allen funded the research ship {{ship|RV|Petrel}}, which he purchased in 2016. The project team aboard ''Petrel'' was responsible for locating the {{ship|Japanese battleship|Musashi}} in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/446017/scitech/science/look-explorers-find-most-famous-japanese-wwii-battleship-off-romblon-s-sibuyan-island|title=Explorers find 'most famous' Japanese WWII battleship off Romblon's Sibuyan Island|author=Patricia Denise Chiu|date=March 3, 2015|work=GMA News|access-date=March 3, 2015|archive-date=March 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306014128/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/446017/scitech/science/look-explorers-find-most-famous-japanese-wwii-battleship-off-romblon-s-sibuyan-island|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, at Allen's direction, ''Petrel'' found {{USS|Indianapolis|CA-35|6}}, {{USS|Ward|DD-139|6}}, the wrecks of the [[Battle of Surigao Strait]] and the [[Battle of Ormoc Bay]]. In 2018, ''Petrel'' found a lost US Navy [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2A Greyhound]] aircraft in the Philippine Sea, {{USS|Lexington|CV-2|6}} in the Coral Sea and the {{USS|Juneau|CL-52|6}} off the coast of the [[Solomon Islands]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.usni.org/2018/03/05/video-billionaire-paul-allen-finds-lost-world-war-ii-carrier-uss-lexington|title=VIDEO: Billionaire Paul Allen Finds Lost World War II Carrier USS Lexington - USNI News|date=March 5, 2018|work=USNI News|access-date=March 5, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109012136/https://news.usni.org/2018/03/05/video-billionaire-paul-allen-finds-lost-world-war-ii-carrier-uss-lexington|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.usni.org/2018/03/19/paul-allen-finds-sullivan-brothers-cruiser-uss-juneau|title=Paul Allen Finds Sullivan Brothers' Cruiser USS Juneau - USNI News|date=March 19, 2018|work=USNI News|access-date=March 19, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320031541/https://news.usni.org/2018/03/19/paul-allen-finds-sullivan-brothers-cruiser-uss-juneau|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/03/19/sunken-ship-of-sullivan-brothers-lore-discovered-nearly-3-miles-beneath-the-surface/|title=Sunken ship of legendary Sullivan brothers discovered nearly 3 miles beneath the surface|last=Simkins|first=J. D.|date=March 21, 2018|website=Military Times|language=en-US|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref>

===Museums and community institutions===
Allen established non-profit community institutions to display his collections of historic artifacts. These include:

* [[Museum of Pop Culture]], or MoPOP, is a nonprofit museum, dedicated to contemporary popular culture inside a [[Frank Gehry]]–designed building at [[Seattle Center]], established in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crowley |first=Walt |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=5424 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |work=History Link |date=March 15, 2003 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822203937/http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=5424 |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* [[Flying Heritage Collection]], which showcases restored vintage military aircraft and armaments primarily from the [[World War II]] era, established in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.flyingheritage.com/NewsDetail.aspx?id=3|title = Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection Announces Move to Paine Field|url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055305/http://www.flyingheritage.com/NewsDetail.aspx?id=3|archive-date = October 23, 2013|df = mdy-all}}</ref>
* STARTUP Gallery, a permanent exhibit at the [[New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science]] in [[Albuquerque]] dedicated to the history of the [[microcomputer]], established in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://gosw.about.com/od/albuquerquenewmexico/a/startup.htm|title = New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = October 23, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061047/http://gosw.about.com/od/albuquerquenewmexico/a/startup.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref>
* [[Living Computers: Museum + Labs|Living Computer: Museum + Labs]], a collection of [[vintage computer]]s in working order and available for interactive sessions on-site or through networked access, opened to the public in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allens-new-seattle-computer-museum-not-just-for-geeks/ |title=Paul Allen's new Seattle computer museum not just for geeks |last=Gordon Blankinship |first=Donna |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=November 1, 2012 |access-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918064026/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allens-new-seattle-computer-museum-not-just-for-geeks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org |title=LCM – Home |work=Living Computer Museum |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716024338/http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Art===
An active art collector, Allen gifted more than $100&nbsp;million to support the arts.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://mag.newsweek.com/2012/10/07/blake-gopnik-on-art-collecting-philanthropist-paul-allen.html|title = Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen-the world's first masterpiece-collecting, Jimi Hendrix-worshiping philanthropist|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060540/http://mag.newsweek.com/2012/10/07/blake-gopnik-on-art-collecting-philanthropist-paul-allen.html|archive-date = October 23, 2013|url-status=dead |df = mdy-all}}</ref> On October 15, 2012, the Americans for the Arts gave Allen the [[Eli Broad|Eli and Edythe Broad]] Award for Philanthropy in the Arts.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.americansforthearts.org/news/annual_awards/naa/2012.asp|title = A Celebration of National Leadership in the Arts|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = October 23, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061228/http://www.americansforthearts.org/news/annual_awards/naa/2012.asp|url-status = live}}</ref> Allen loaned out more than 300 pieces from his private art collection to 47 different venues. The original 541-page typescript of [[Bram Stoker]]'s novel ''[[Dracula]]'' was in his collection at one point.<ref>Latham, Robert. Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review Annual, Greenwood Publishing (1988) p. 67</ref> In 2013, Allen sold [[Barnett Newman]]'s ''Onement VI'' (1953) at [[Sotheby's]] in New York for $43.8&nbsp;million, then the record for a work by the abstract artist.<ref>Carol Vogel (April 24, 2014), [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/arts/design/more-public-art-for-governors-island.html A Barnett Newman For Sale] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701053534/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/arts/design/more-public-art-for-governors-island.html |date=July 1, 2017 }} ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-05-15/barnett-newman-fetches-record-44-million-at-sotheby-s|title=Barnett Newman Leads Sotheby's NYC $294 Million Auction|date=May 15, 2013|access-date=July 4, 2019|language=en|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502035811/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-05-15/barnett-newman-fetches-record-44-million-at-sotheby-s|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Allen founded the Seattle Art Fair, a four-day event with 60-plus galleries from around the world including the participation of the [[Gagosian Gallery]], [[David Zwirner]]. The event drew thousands and inspired other satellite fairs throughout the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestranger.com/features/feature/2015/08/05/22647397/the-seattle-art-fair-was-so-successful-the-city-literally-applauded|title=The Seattle Art Fair Was So Successful, the City Literally Applauded|work=The Stranger|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=November 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112081139/http://www.thestranger.com/features/feature/2015/08/05/22647397/the-seattle-art-fair-was-so-successful-the-city-literally-applauded|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2016, Allen announced the launch of Upstream Music Fest + Summit,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/paul-allens-new-festival-upstream-to-mentor-and-celebrate-seattle-musicians/|title=Paul Allen's new festival, Upstream, to mentor and celebrate Seattle musicians|date=August 10, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2016|archive-date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811160705/http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/paul-allens-new-festival-upstream-to-mentor-and-celebrate-seattle-musicians/|url-status=live}}</ref> an annual festival fashioned after [[South by Southwest]].<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/north-by-northwest-paul-allens-upstream-music-festival-could-be-seattles-answer-to-austin/ North by Northwest? Paul Allen's Upstream music festival could be Seattle's answer to Austin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032910/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/north-by-northwest-paul-allens-upstream-music-festival-could-be-seattles-answer-to-austin/ |date=October 16, 2018 |work=The Seattle Times }}</ref> Held in [[Pioneer Square, Seattle|Pioneer Square]], the first festival took place in May 2017.<ref>[https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Upstream-Music-Fest-gets-12963952.php Upstream Music Fest takes over Pioneer Square] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032920/https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Upstream-Music-Fest-gets-12963952.php |date=October 16, 2018 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer }}</ref> It was cancelled in 2019 following Allen's death in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Upstream Music Fest will be 'taking a break' in 2019 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/upstream-music-fest-will-not-return-in-2019/ |access-date=November 8, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2022, Allen's art collection was auctioned at [[Christie's|Christie's New York]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shetty |first=Bhavya |date=November 12, 2022 |title=Art from Microsoft founder Paul Allen sells for $1.6 billion |pages=storyik.com |work=Storyik |url=https://storyik.com/art-from-microsoft-founder-paul-allen-sells-for-1-6-billion/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |archive-date=November 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112191558/https://storyik.com/art-from-microsoft-founder-paul-allen-sells-for-1-6-billion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>  It was the biggest sale in art auction history, surpassing $1.5 billion in sales. Six works sold for more than $100 million: [[Seurat]]'s ''Les Poseuses Ensemble (Petite version)'', ($149 million, with fees); [[Paul Cézanne]]'s 1888-90 ''La Montagne Sainte-Victoire'' ($138 million); [[Vincent van Gogh|van Gogh's]] ''Verger avec cyprès'' ($117 million); and [[Gustav Klimt]]'s 1903  ''Birch Forest'' ($105 million).  The auction also included paintings by [[Botticelli]], [[David Hockney]], [[Roy Lichtenstein]], [[Edward Hopper]], [[Andy Warhol]], [[Jasper Johns]] and [[Jan Brueghel the Younger]].  Proceeds from the auction benefitted undisclosed philanthropies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pogrebin |first=Robin |date=August 26, 2022 |title=Christie's to Sell Paul G. Allen's $1 Billion Art Collection |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/25/arts/design/christies-auction-paul-allen-art-collection.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pogrebin |first=Robin |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Paul G. Allen's Art at Christie's Tops $1.5 Billion, Cracking Records |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/arts/design/paul-allen-auction-christies.html |access-date=November 10, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/paul-allen-christies-billion-dollar-art-sale-1234646017/|author1=Angelica Villa|author2=Daniel Cassady|date=November 10, 2022|title=Collection of Deceased Tech Billionaire Paul Allen Draws Historic $1.5 B. in Christie's Auction|work=ARTnews}}</ref>

===Education===
[[File:Paul Allen and Steve Wozniak at the Living Computer Museum.jpg|thumb|Allen and [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] co-founder [[Steve Wozniak]] at the [[Living Computer Museum]] in 2017]]
In 1989, Allen donated $2&nbsp;million to the [[University of Washington]] to construct the Allen Library, which was named after his father Kenneth S. Allen, a former associate director of the University of Washington library system.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/6347/|title = University of Washington, Allen Library, Seattle, WA|access-date = July 31, 2015|archive-date = January 31, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150131092521/https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/6347/|url-status = live}}</ref> In the same year, Allen donated an additional $8&nbsp;million to establish the Kenneth S. Allen Library Endowment.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lib.washington.edu/support/endowments/allend|title = Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = October 23, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023062110/http://www.lib.washington.edu/support/endowments/allend|url-status = live}}</ref> In 2012, the endowment was renamed the Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment after Allen's mother (a noted bibliophile) died.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns-magazine/september-2012/alumni/allen/|title = Faye G. Allen, 1922–2012|work = University of Washington|access-date = July 31, 2015|archive-date = October 16, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016023018/http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns-magazine/september-2012/alumni/allen/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2002, Allen donated $14&nbsp;million to the University of Washington to construct the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Allen-gives-14-million-to-new-UW-center-1080933.php|title = Allen gives $14&nbsp;million to new UW center|work = Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date = February 19, 2002|access-date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = June 14, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190614095843/https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Allen-gives-14-million-to-new-UW-center-1080933.php|url-status = live}}</ref> The building was dedicated in October 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.cs.washington.edu/building/|title = The Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering|work = University of Washington|access-date = July 31, 2015|archive-date = November 3, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201103193237/https://www.cs.washington.edu/building|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2010, Allen announced a gift of $26&nbsp;million to build the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health at [[Washington State University]], his alma mater. The gift was the largest private donation in the university's history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/millions-from-allen-boost-wsu-research-on-animal-diseases/ |title=Millions from Allen boost WSU research on animal diseases |last=Heim |first=Kristi |date=December 2, 2010 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406112858/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/millions-from-allen-boost-wsu-research-on-animal-diseases/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, Allen pledged a $10 million donation over four years for the creation of the Allen Discovery Centers at [[Tufts University]] and [[Stanford University]]. The centers would fund research that would read and write the morphogenetic code. Over eight years the donation could be as much as $20 million.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/press-resources/press-releases/paul-g-allen-frontiers-group-announces-allen-discovery-center-tufts-university|title = The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group Announces Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, 1922–2012|date = March 22, 2016|access-date = August 10, 2016|archive-date = August 23, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160823020449/https://www.alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/press-resources/press-releases/paul-g-allen-frontiers-group-announces-allen-discovery-center-tufts-university|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2017, Allen donated $40 million (with an additional $10 million from Microsoft) to reorganize the University of Washington's Computer Science and Engineering department into the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Langston |first1=Jennifer |title=$50M endowment establishes the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington |url=https://www.washington.edu/news/2017/03/09/paul-g-allen-school-of-computer-science-and-engineering/ |website=UW News |access-date=October 15, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=October 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019090049/http://www.washington.edu/news/2017/03/09/paul-g-allen-school-of-computer-science-and-engineering/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
While Allen expressed interest in romantic love and one day having a family,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roose|first1=Kevin|title=Microsoft Co-founder Paul Allen Is Looking for Love (and Aliens, But Mostly Love)|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2011/04/microsoft_co-founder_paul_alle.html|magazine=New York|date=April 18, 2011|access-date=November 11, 2018|archive-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510072838/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2011/04/microsoft_co-founder_paul_alle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> he never married and had no children.<ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Patrick|last1=Shanley|first2=Natalie|last2=Jarvey|title=Paul Allen, Co-Founder of Microsoft, Dies at 65|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paul-allen-dead-microsoft-founder-was-65-1152504|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 15, 2018|access-date=November 11, 2018|archive-date=November 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111173540/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paul-allen-dead-microsoft-founder-was-65-1152504|url-status=live}}</ref> His marriage plans with his first girlfriend were cancelled as he felt he "was not ready to marry at 23".<ref name=":0"/> He was sometimes considered [[recluse|reclusive]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lamm|first1=Greg|title=There's a bit of Howard Hughes in Paul Allen's space dream|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2011/12/howard-hughes-in-paul-allens-dream.html|newspaper=Puget Sound Business Journal|access-date=May 11, 2016|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602101450/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2011/12/howard-hughes-in-paul-allens-dream.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=60 Minutes compares Paul Allen's reclusive lifestyle to Howard Hughes|date=April 18, 2011|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/60-minutes-compares-paul-allens-reclusive-lifestyle-to-howard-hughes/|publisher=60 Minutes|access-date=May 11, 2016|archive-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604041556/http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/60-minutes-compares-paul-allens-reclusive-lifestyle-to-howard-hughes/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1990s, he purchased [[Rock Hudson]]'s Los Angeles estate from film director [[John Landis]] and added the Neptune Valley recording studio to the property. Allen's family put the home on the market for $56 million after his death.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paynter |first=Sarah |date=July 13, 2021 |title=Rock Hudson estate listed for the first time in decades for $55.5M |url=https://nypost.com/2021/07/13/rock-hudson-estate-listed-for-first-time-in-decades-for-55-5m/ |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=New York Post}}</ref>

===Music===
[[File:Paul Allen and the Underthinkers.jpg|thumb|Paul Allen and the Underthinkers perform at the Allen Institute for Brain Science's 10th-anniversary gala.]]
Allen received his first electric guitar at the age of sixteen, and was inspired to play it by listening to [[Jimi Hendrix]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft|last = Allen|first = Paul|publisher = Portfolio/Penguin|year = 2011|isbn = 978-1-59184-382-5|location = New York|page = [https://archive.org/details/ideamanmemoirbyc00alle_0/page/250 250]|url = https://archive.org/details/ideamanmemoirbyc00alle_0/page/250}}</ref> In 2000, Allen played rhythm guitar on the independently produced album ''Grown Men''.<ref>{{cite news|title = The Spokesman-Review|date = April 17, 2000|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MJlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=6810%2C7011656|access-date = July 31, 2015|archive-date = February 1, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210201023417/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MJlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=6810%2C7011656|url-status = live}}</ref> In 2013, he had a major label release on Sony's Legacy Recordings: ''Everywhere at Once'' by Paul Allen and the Underthinkers.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Paul Allen: Plugged-in mogul|url = http://music.msn.com/summer-music-guide-paul-allen/feature/story/?ocid=muhfpS2RL1|publisher = Music.msn.com|access-date = July 31, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140208014153/http://music.msn.com/summer-music-guide-paul-allen/feature/story/?ocid=muhfpS2RL1|archive-date = February 8, 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref> PopMatters.com described ''Everywhere at Once'' as "a quality release of blues-rock that's enjoyable from start to finish".<ref>{{Cite news|title = Paul Allen and the Underthinkers: Everywhere at Once|date = August 5, 2013|url = http://www.popmatters.com/review/173723-paul-allen-and-the-underthinkers-everywhere-at-once/|access-date = October 12, 2013|archive-date = October 21, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021074801/http://www.popmatters.com/review/173723-paul-allen-and-the-underthinkers-everywhere-at-once/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/01/31/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-microsoft-billionaire-paul-allen-seattle-seahawks-owner/ |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Microsoft Billionaire Paul Allen, Seattle Seahawks Owner |magazine=Forbes |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202013548/https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/01/31/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-microsoft-billionaire-paul-allen-seattle-seahawks-owner/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 7, 2018, an interview by the magazine ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' on their ''Vulture'' website, [[Quincy Jones]] expressed respect for Allen's talent, saying he "sings and plays just like Hendrix".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/quincy-jones-in-conversation.html|title=Quincy Jones on the Secret Michael Jackson and the Problem With Modern Pop|last=Marchese|first=David|work=Vulture|access-date=February 8, 2018|archive-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208000740/http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/quincy-jones-in-conversation.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Yachting===
[[File:Octopus1 Grand Cayman 2010.jpg|thumb|Allen's {{ship||Octopus|yacht|2}} off the [[Cayman Islands]] in 2010]]
Allen's {{convert|414|foot|m|adj=mid}} yacht, {{ship||Octopus|yacht|2}}, was launched in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|access-date=March 31, 2008|url=http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/2007-worlds-largest-yachts/|title=World's 100 Largest Yachts 2007|work=Power & Motoryacht|last=Byrne|first=Diane M.|archive-date=March 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330071201/http://powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/2007-worlds-largest-yachts/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2019, it was 20th on the [[list of motor yachts by length]]. The yacht is equipped with two helicopters, a submarine, an [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle|ROV]], a swimming pool, a music studio and a basketball court.<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=March 31, 2008 |url=http://powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/1105top100/index2.aspx |title=America's 100 Largest Yachts |work=Power & Motoryacht |last=Byrne |first=Diane M. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308202113/http://powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/1105top100/index2.aspx |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }}</ref> ''Octopus'' is a member of [[AMVER]], a voluntary group ship reporting system used worldwide by authorities to arrange assistance for those in distress at sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amveruscg.blogspot.com/2012/11/billionaire-paul-allens-yacht-octopus.html|title=Billionaire Paul Allen's yacht Octopus to the rescue – again!|work=Amver|date=November 27, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2013|archive-date=April 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410072303/http://amveruscg.blogspot.com/2012/11/billionaire-paul-allens-yacht-octopus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ship is also known for its annual celebrity-studded parties which Allen hosted at the [[Cannes film festival]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-allen-cannes-yacht-party-2015-5|title=Paul Allen Cannes yacht party – Business Insider|date=May 19, 2015|work=Business Insider|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=October 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013121217/http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-allen-cannes-yacht-party-2015-5|url-status=live}}</ref> where Allen and his band played for guests. These performances included musicians such as [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]] and [[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|Dave Stewart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paul-allen-superyacht-microsoft-founders-1153121|title=Paul Allen superyacht: Microsoft founder's the 413ft-long Octopus in London for the Olympics – Mirror Online|author=mirror Administrator|date=July 21, 2012|work=mirror|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101102027/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paul-allen-superyacht-microsoft-founders-1153121|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Octopus'' was also used in the search for a missing American pilot and two officers whose plane disappeared off [[Palau]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allens-yacht-used-in-search-for-missing-us-pilot/|title=Paul Allen's yacht used in search for missing U.S. pilot|date=April 4, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124552/http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allens-yacht-used-in-search-for-missing-us-pilot/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the study of a rare fish called a [[coelacanth]], among many others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/11/17/2569307/blazers-owner-paul-allen-loans-custom-submarine-to-amazing-fish |title=Blazers Owner Paul Allen Loans Custom Submarine To Amazing Fish Research – Blazer's Edge |date=November 17, 2011 |publisher=Blazersedge.com |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030015009/http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/11/17/2569307/blazers-owner-paul-allen-loans-custom-submarine-to-amazing-fish |url-status=live }}</ref> Following Allen's death in 2018, ''Octopus'' was refitted and put on the market for $325 million.<ref name=":1" />

Allen also owned {{ship||Tatoosh|yacht|2}}, one of the world's 100 largest yachts. In January 2016, it was reported that ''Tatoosh'' severely damaged approximately 1300 square meters of coral reef in the West Bay replenishment zone, [[Cayman Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Howard|first1=Brian Clark|title=Billionaire Conservationist's Yacht Damages Coral Reef|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/160129-paul-allen-yacht-tatoosh-damages-cayman-coral-reef/|website=National Geographic|access-date=April 14, 2016|archive-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425065328/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/160129-paul-allen-yacht-tatoosh-damages-cayman-coral-reef/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2016, the Department of Environment (DoE) and Allen's Vulcan Inc. successfully completed a restoration plan to help speed recovery and protect the future of coral in this area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Allen and DoE complete joint coral restoration plan|url=https://caymannewsservice.com/2016/04/allen-and-doe-complete-joint-coral-restoration-plan/|website=Cayman News Service|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=April 14, 2016|archive-date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414012422/https://caymannewsservice.com/2016/04/allen-and-doe-complete-joint-coral-restoration-plan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==''Idea Man''==
{{Main|Idea Man}}
In 2011, Allen's memoir, ''Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft'', was published by Portfolio, a [[Penguin Group]] imprint. The book recounts how Allen became enamored with computers and, at an early age, conceived the idea for Microsoft, recruited his friend Bill Gates to join him, and launched what would become the world's most successful software company. It also explores Allen's business and creative ventures following his 1983 departure from Microsoft, including his involvement in SpaceShipOne, his purchase of the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, his passion for music, and his ongoing support for scientific research. The book made the [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' Best Seller list]]. A paperback version, which included a new epilogue, was published on October{{nbsp}}30, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bishop|first=Todd|title=Microsoft founders Allen, Gates reconnect after year-long rift|work=GeekWire|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2012/microsoft-cofounders-allen-gates-patch-extended-rift/|access-date=December 10, 2012|archive-date=November 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124234510/http://www.geekwire.com/2012/microsoft-cofounders-allen-gates-patch-extended-rift/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Allen, Paul, [[iarchive:ideamanmemoirbyc00alle 0|''Idea Man: a memoir by the co-founder of Microsoft'']], New York : Portfolio/Penguin, 2011. {{ISBN|978-1-59184-382-5}}</ref>

==Death==
Allen was diagnosed with Stage 1-A [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]] in 1982.<ref name=cnet2013/> His cancer was successfully treated by several months of [[radiation therapy]].<ref name=fortune2018/> Allen was diagnosed with [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] in 2009. Likewise, the cancer was successfully treated until it returned in 2018. It ultimately caused his death by [[septic shock]] on October 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Brady |title=Paul Allen says non-Hodgkin lymphoma has returned |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24863518/seattle-seahawks-portland-trail-blazers-owner-paul-allen-says-cancer-back |access-date=October 2, 2018 |publisher=ESPN |date=October 1, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002012112/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24863518/seattle-seahawks-portland-trail-blazers-owner-paul-allen-says-cancer-back |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Inquisitr>{{cite web |url= https://www.inquisitr.com/5124866/paul-allen-cause-of-death |title= Paul Allen's Cause Of Death Revealed: Septic Shock & Immunosuppression |via= (see: [[septic shock]], [[immunosuppression]]) |last= Faulkner |first= Trisha |website= Inquisitr |date= October 20, 2018 |access-date= October 20, 2018 |archive-date= October 20, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181020113757/https://www.inquisitr.com/5124866/paul-allen-cause-of-death/ |url-status= live }}</ref> He was 65 years old.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-dies-at-65/281-604572895 |title=Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dies at 65 |date=October 15, 2018 |publisher=KING5 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226141509/https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/paul-allen-microsoft-co-founder-and-seahawks-owner-dies-at-65/281-604572895 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/15/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer-at-age-65.html|title=Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dies of cancer at age 65|last=Wang|first=Christine|date=October 15, 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106205008/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/15/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-dies-of-cancer-at-age-65.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following his death, Allen's sister [[Jody Allen]] was named executor and trustee of all of Paul Allen's estate, pursuant to his instructions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2019 |title=What's happening to Paul Allen's billions? A year after his death, it's complicated |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/more-than-a-year-after-his-death-plans-for-paul-allens-philanthropy-still-shrouded-in-secrecy/ |access-date=November 8, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> She had responsibility for overseeing the execution of his will and settling his affairs with tax authorities and parties with an interest in his projects.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/paul-allens-sister-jody-named-executor-trustee-of-late-billionaires-estate/ |title=Paul Allen's sister Jody named executor, trustee of late billionaire's estate |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 24, 2018}}</ref>

Several Seattle-area landmarks, including the [[Space Needle]], [[Columbia Center]] and [[Lumen Field]], as well as various Microsoft offices throughout the United States, were illuminated in blue on November 3, 2018, as a tribute to Allen.<ref>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Genna |date=November 4, 2018 |title=Seattle is bathed in blue in honor of Paul Allen |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/In-tribute-to-Paul-Allen-buildings-in-Seattle-13361403.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105020238/https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/In-tribute-to-Paul-Allen-buildings-in-Seattle-13361403.php |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also honored by his early business partner and lifelong friend [[Bill Gates]], who said in a statement:

{{blockquote|Paul loved life and those around him, and we all cherished him in return. He deserved much more time, but his contributions to the world of technology and philanthropy will live on for generations to come. We will miss him tremendously.<ref name="Gates Mourns Allen">{{Cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2018/10/16/bill-gates-paul-allen-death-microsoft/ |title=Bill Gates Mourns His Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen: 'Personal Computing Would Not Have Existed Without Him' |last=Detrick |first=Hallie |date=October 16, 2018 |work=Fortune |access-date=November 11, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112002045/https://fortune.com/2018/10/16/bill-gates-paul-allen-death-microsoft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

==Awards and recognition==
Allen received numerous awards in many different areas, including sports, technology, philanthropy, and the arts:
* In 2004, Allen, [[Burt Rutan]], [[Doug Shane]], [[Mike Melvill]], and [[Brian Binnie]] won the [[Collier Trophy]] for [[SpaceShipOne]].<ref name=Collier/>
* On March 9, 2005, Allen, Rutan, and the rest of the [[SpaceShipOne]] team were awarded the 2005 [[National Air and Space Museum Trophy]] for Current Achievement.<ref name=Airandspace.si.edu>{{cite web|url=http://airandspace.si.edu/about/newsroom/release/?id=130|title=National Air and Space Museum to Acquire SpaceShipOne, First Successful Privately Built Spacecraft|date=March 10, 2005 |publisher=Airandspace.si.edu|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016023018/http://airandspace.si.edu/about/newsroom/release/?id=130|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In 2007 and 2008, Allen was listed among the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100 Most Influential People in The World]].<ref name="TIME">{{Cite magazine |access-date=March 31, 2008 |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595329_1616322,00.html |title=Paul Allen |magazine=TIME |author=Pinker, Steven |date=May 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320083413/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0%2C28804%2C1595326_1595329_1616322%2C00.html |archive-date=March 20, 2008 }}</ref>
* He received the Vanguard Award from the [[National Cable & Telecommunications Association]] on May 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/113076-Anne_Sweeney_Matt_Blank_Top_Vanguard_Award_Winners.php| title=Anne Sweeney, Matt Blank Top Vanguard Award Winners| access-date=October 28, 2013| archive-date=October 29, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202717/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/113076-Anne_Sweeney_Matt_Blank_Top_Vanguard_Award_Winners.php| url-status=live}}</ref>
* On October 30, 2008, the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors honored Allen for his "unwavering commitment to nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and lifetime giving approaching US$1&nbsp;billion".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stroupecondoblog.com/2008/05/70th-annual-citizen-award-honoring-paul-allen/ | title=70th Annual First Citizen Award Honoring Paul Allen | publisher=stroupecondoblog.com | date=May 22, 2008 | access-date=July 28, 2011 | author=Stroupe, James | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328065047/http://www.stroupecondoblog.com/2008/05/70th-annual-citizen-award-honoring-paul-allen/ | archive-date=March 28, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* In 2009, Allen's philanthropy as the long-time owner of the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] was recognized with an Oregon Sports Award.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=24902 | title=From Paul Allen to preps, Oregon Sports Awards finalists stood out in 2009 | date=February 3, 2010 | author=Alexander, Steven | access-date=October 28, 2013 | archive-date=November 3, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103153611/http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=24902 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* On October 26, 2010, Allen was awarded the W. J. S. Krieg Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the field of neuroscience by the Cajal Club.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-10/aifb-pga102810.php| title=Paul G. Allen receives Krieg Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions in neuroscience| access-date=October 28, 2013| archive-date=October 29, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205204/http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-10/aifb-pga102810.php| url-status=live}}</ref>
* On January 26, 2011, at Seattle's [[Benaroya Hall]], Allen was named Seattle Sports Commission Sports Citizen of the Year, an award that has been renamed the Paul Allen Award.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://seahawknationblog.com/2011/01/seattle-seahawks-owner-paul-allen-is-sports-citizen-of-the-year-2/| title=Seattle Seahawks Owner Paul Allen is Sports Citizen of the Year| access-date=April 27, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180606/http://seahawknationblog.com/2011/01/seattle-seahawks-owner-paul-allen-is-sports-citizen-of-the-year-2/| archive-date=July 21, 2011| url-status=usurped| df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* In 2011, Allen was elected to the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.cs.washington.edu/2011/04/19/ed-felten-elected-to-american-academy-of-arts-sciences/| title=Ed Felton elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences| access-date=December 3, 2013| archive-date=December 5, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205091959/http://news.cs.washington.edu/2011/04/19/ed-felten-elected-to-american-academy-of-arts-sciences/| url-status=live}}</ref>
* On October 15, 2012, Allen received the Eli and Edythe Broad Award for Philanthropy in the Arts at the National Arts Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/2012/naa/001.asp |title=A Celebration of National Leadership in the Arts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201646/http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/2012/naa/001.asp |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2013 }}</ref>
* On February 2, 2014, Allen received a [[Super Bowl ring]] as the [[Seattle Seahawks]] won the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com |title=Official Site of the National Football League |website=NFL.com |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201081935/http://www.nfl.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On October 22, 2014, Allen received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ''Seattle Business'' magazine for his impact in and around the greater Puget Sound region.<ref>{{Cite news| url =http://seattlebusinessmag.com/article/2014-community-impact-awards-lifetime-achievement| title =The 2014 Community Impact Awards: Lifetime Achievement| author =Nick Horton| publisher =Seattle Business| date =November 2014| access-date =November 3, 2014| archive-date =November 4, 2014| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141104031208/http://seattlebusinessmag.com/article/2014-community-impact-awards-lifetime-achievement| url-status =live}}</ref>
* On December 31, 2014, online philanthropy magazine ''Inside Philanthropy'' made Allen their inaugural "Philanthropist of the Year"<ref name="insidephilanthropy.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2014/12/31/philanthropy-awards-2014.html |title=Philanthropy Awards, 2014 – Inside Philanthropy: Fundraising Intelligence |website=Inside Philanthropy |date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724112949/http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2014/12/31/philanthropy-awards-2014.html |url-status=live }}</ref> for his ongoing effort to stop the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, breaking ground on a new research center in Seattle, and his battle to save the world's oceans.
* In 2014, Allen was inducted into the [[International Space Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Gardner Allen |url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=2010 |website=International Space Hall of Fame |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121121722/http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On July 18, 2015, [[Ischia Global Film & Music Festival]] recognized Allen with the Ischia Humanitarian Award. Event organizers honored Allen for his contributions to social issues through his philanthropic efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paulallen.com/editorialhomepage/homearticles/paul-allen-awarded-ischia-award |title=Awarded Ischia Award |publisher=Paul Allen |date=July 20, 2015 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722094750/http://www.paulallen.com/editorialhomepage/homearticles/paul-allen-awarded-ischia-award |archive-date=July 22, 2015 }}</ref>
* On August 25, 2015, Allen was named a recipient of the [[Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy]] for his work to "save endangered species, fight Ebola, research the human brain, support the arts, protect the oceans, and expand educational opportunities for girls".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carnegiemedals.org/medalists/|title=Medalists|work=Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=August 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828192731/http://carnegiemedals.org/medalists/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On October 3, 2015, the Center for Infectious Disease Research presented Allen with the 2015 "Champion for Global Health Award" for his leadership and effort to fight Ebola.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cidresearch.org/news/paul-g-allen-to-receive-the-center-for-infectious-disease-researchs-champion-for-global-health-award|title=Paul G. Allen to Receive the Center for Infectious Disease Research's "Champion for Global Health Award" – Center for Infectious Disease Research|work=cidresearch.org|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011031301/http://www.cidresearch.org/news/paul-g-allen-to-receive-the-center-for-infectious-disease-researchs-champion-for-global-health-award|archive-date=October 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* On December 10, 2016, Allen, as co-owner of the [[Seattle Sounders FC]], won the [[2016 MLS Cup]].<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/10/15/paul-allen-dies-owner-seattle-seahawks-portland-trail-blazers/1653422002/ Seahawks, Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen dies of cancer at 65] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016022931/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/10/15/paul-allen-dies-owner-seattle-seahawks-portland-trail-blazers/1653422002/ |date=October 16, 2018 }} USA Today</ref>
* On March 14, 2019, Allen was one of two recipients of the ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'' 2019 Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2019 |title=Aviation Week Network Announces Grand Laureates |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-03-15/aviation-week-network-announces-grand-laureates |website=Bloomberg Business}}</ref>
*On October 3, 2019, Allen was posthumously inducted into the [[Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor]], ironically he was the 12th person inducted into the Ring Of Honor, which is a fitting for the number 12, which represents the fans.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/his-legacy-will-live-on-forever-seahawks-induct-paul-allen-into-ring-of-honor/ | title = 'His legacy will live on forever': Seahawks induct Paul Allen into Ring Of Honor | newspaper = The Seattle Times | access-date = October 3, 2019 | archive-date = October 6, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191006104129/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/his-legacy-will-live-on-forever-seahawks-induct-paul-allen-into-ring-of-honor/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Honorary degrees===
* Honorary degree from the [[Washington State University]]. The university bestowed its highest honor, the Regents' Distinguished Alumnus Award, upon him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.wsu.edu/1999/01/22/regents-select-paul-allen-for-distinguished-alumnus-award/#.VbLFnPlR75I |title=Regents Select Paul Allen for Distinguished Alumnus Award – WSU News Washington State University |publisher=News.wsu.edu |date=January 22, 1999 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725072457/https://news.wsu.edu/1999/01/22/regents-select-paul-allen-for-distinguished-alumnus-award/#.VbLFnPlR75I |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Honorary doctorate in philosophy from [[Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.nmmu.ac.za/News/SA-s-first-deputy-president-among-NMMU-honorary-do |title=SA's first deputy president among NMMU honorary doctorate recipients |publisher=Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101102029/http://news.nmmu.ac.za/News/SA-s-first-deputy-president-among-NMMU-honorary-do |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Honorary doctorate of Science from the [[Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory]]'s [[Watson School of Biological Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=January 28, 2015|url=http://www.cshl.edu/news-a-features/oliver-sacks-eric-kandel-and-paul-g-allen-to-receive-honorary-degrees-at-watson-school-of-biological-sciences-commencement.html|title=Oliver Sacks, Eric Kandel and Paul G. Allen to Receive Honorary Degrees at Watson School of Biological Sciences' Commencement|publisher=Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129015103/http://www.cshl.edu/news-a-features/oliver-sacks-eric-kandel-and-paul-g-allen-to-receive-honorary-degrees-at-watson-school-of-biological-sciences-commencement.html|archive-date=January 29, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Honorary degree from the [[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]].<ref>[http://actualites.epfl.ch/presseinfo-rev?id=1631] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725072405/http://actualites.epfl.ch/presseinfo-rev?id=1631|date=July 25, 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Altair 8800#Altair BASIC|Altair 8800]]
* ''[[Black Sky: The Race for Space]]'', a 2005 documentary about Allen, [[SpaceShipOne]] and the [[Ansari X Prize]].
* [[Hodgkin's lymphoma#Notable cases|List of select cases of Hodgkin lymphoma]]
* [[Open Letter to Hobbyists]]
* ''[[Pirates of Silicon Valley]]'', a 1999 film about the rise of the [[personal computer|PC]]. Allen is portrayed by [[Josh Hopkins]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Rich, Laura, [https://books.google.com/books?id=iBhNuAj_Tx4C ''The Accidental Zillionaire: Demystifying Paul Allen''], Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2003. {{ISBN|0-471-23491-5}}.

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q162005|c=Category:Paul Allen|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{C-SPAN}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|7134}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{New York Times topic|new_id=person/paul-allen}}
* [http://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/allen_paul_1953_/ Paul Allen] entry from the ''[[Oregon Encyclopedia]]''
* [http://www.thocp.net/biographies/allen_paul.htm Paul Allen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606071524/http://www.thocp.net/biographies/allen_paul.htm |date=June 6, 2011 }} at THOCP.net
* [https://www.forbes.com/profile/paul-allen Business profile] at ''[[Forbes]]''
* [https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/paul-g-allen/ Bloomberg Billionaires Index entry]

{{s-start}}
{{s-bus}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Ken Behring]]
| title = [[Seattle Seahawks]] owner
| years = 1997–2018
| after = [[Jody Allen]]
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{{succession box
| before = [[Larry Weinberg (businessman)|Larry Weinberg]]
| title = [[Portland Trail Blazers]] owner
| years = 1988–2018
| after = Allen's estate
}}
{{succession box
| before = ([[expansion team]])
| title = [[Seattle Sounders FC]] owner
| years = 2008–2018
| after = [[Adrian Hanauer]]
}}
{{s-end}}
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