He was the idea man to Bill Gates' businessman. :
SEATTLE – Paul G. Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with his childhood friend Bill Gates before becoming a billionaire philanthropist who invested in conservation, space travel and professional sports, died Monday. He was 65. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called Allen’s contributions to the company, community and industry “indispensable.” “As co-founder of Microsoft, in his own quiet and persistent way, he created magical products, experiences and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world,” Nadella wrote on Twitter.