Warren Buffett is a name synonymous with successful investing. Known for his disciplined approach, he’s often praised for his ability to spot undervalued businesses, remain patient, and avoid chasing trends.
However, even the Oracle of Omaha has had his share of missed opportunities—investments that, had he acted differently, could have transformed his portfolio and shaped the global economy in even bigger ways.
Buffett’s famous motto, “Stay within your circle of competence,” has guided his strategy, but there are a few times when this approach led him to pass on opportunities that have since become some of the most influential and valuable companies in the world.
Here are the top 10 major investments that Buffett missed—moves that powered the global economy and forever altered entire industries.
1. Amazon (AMZN): The Missed E-Commerce Revolution
Arguably the most famous of Buffett’s missed opportunities, Amazon went from an online bookstore to the dominant force in global e-commerce. In the early days, Buffett didn’t understand Amazon’s business model. He also worried about its ability to generate profits. But in hindsight, it’s clear that Amazon revolutionized retail and cloud computing, becoming one of the world’s most valuable companies. If Buffett had jumped on board in its early days, his wealth would have soared along with the company’s growth.
2. Apple (AAPL): The Missed Tech Giant
Buffett famously avoided investing in Apple for years, calling it a “tech stock,” which, at the time, didn’t fit his investment strategy. He believed in stable, predictable businesses, and Apple seemed too volatile. But when he finally made a major investment in 2016, it was clear he had missed out on the tech company’s incredible journey from a product-based company to a services powerhouse with a fiercely loyal customer base. Apple’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it remains one of Buffett’s most significant missed opportunities.
3. Google (Alphabet) (GOOGL): The Search Engine Giant He Couldn’t See Coming
When Google first emerged, Buffett didn’t understand its potential. He thought of it as just another tech company in a sea of competitors. He has since admitted that he underestimated the long-term power of Google’s search engine and advertising model. In hindsight, his decision not to invest in Google was a major oversight. Today, Alphabet (Google’s parent company) is a trillion-dollar powerhouse that controls the digital advertising ecosystem, and its reach continues to expand globally.
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4. Tesla (TSLA): The Electric Vehicle Revolution He Doubted
Buffett was famously skeptical of Tesla in its early days. He didn’t believe that electric vehicles (EVs) would gain the mainstream traction that others predicted. Tesla was seen as a niche automaker, and Buffett didn’t see a way for it to become a long-term success. Fast-forward to today, and Tesla is leading the charge in the electric vehicle revolution, making electric cars not just mainstream but a symbol of the future. Elon Musk’s company is also pioneering advancements in energy storage and sustainable energy, which Buffett didn’t see coming.
5. Microsoft (MSFT): The Software Giant He Couldn’t Grasp
Microsoft was another missed opportunity for Buffett. He has often admitted that he passed on investing in Microsoft because he didn’t fully grasp the potential of software, cloud computing, and the personal computer revolution. Microsoft’s dominance in both enterprise and consumer software, as well as its shift to the cloud, has made it one of the most important companies in the world. Had Buffett invested early, he would have seen one of the greatest transformations in the tech sector.
6. Facebook (Meta) (META): The Social Media Empire He Ignored
While Buffett recognized Facebook’s potential, he ultimately chose not to invest, believing that its business model wasn’t sustainable. Social media seemed like a passing trend to him, especially in the face of regulation, privacy concerns, and market volatility. But Facebook (now Meta) has grown into a global advertising giant, with billions of active users, acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp, and a massive influence on global communication and commerce. Not investing in Facebook is one of Buffett’s most talked-about regrets.
7. Netflix (NFLX): The Streaming Disruptor He Didn’t See Coming
Buffett once dismissed Netflix as a “fad,” a company whose business model would struggle to stay relevant over time. However, Netflix not only survived; it thrived, becoming the dominant force in the global entertainment industry and redefining how people consume media. With its massive subscriber base, original content production, and global reach, Netflix changed the landscape of television and film, but Buffett wasn’t on board for the ride.
8. Alibaba (BABA): The Chinese E-Commerce Powerhouse He Passed On
Buffett’s reluctance to invest in Alibaba—China’s largest e-commerce company—was based on his wariness of Chinese companies and their opaque business practices. However, Alibaba’s massive success in e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital payments has made it a global powerhouse. Buffett did regret passing on the investment, especially given how much it has grown to challenge the likes of Amazon. Had he invested, he would have been part of one of the largest economic stories of the 21st century.
9. Uber (UBER): The Ride-Hailing Revolution He Didn’t Buy Into
Uber seemed like an expensive and unproven business when it first emerged, and Buffett didn’t see it as a viable long-term player. He questioned the ride-hailing company’s profitability and ability to scale. Yet Uber revolutionized transportation, challenging traditional taxi services and expanding into food delivery with Uber Eats. Today, Uber is a global leader in ridesharing, and its model has inspired countless competitors around the world.
10. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies: The Digital Asset He Dismissed
Finally, Buffett’s aversion to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is well-documented. He has called Bitcoin “rat poison squared” and dismissed it as a speculative asset with no intrinsic value. While cryptocurrencies have faced their fair share of volatility, they’ve also grown into a multi-trillion-dollar market that’s reshaping finance, with Bitcoin at the helm as a store of value and Ethereum powering decentralized finance applications. The blockchain revolution has caught the attention of institutional investors, and even central banks are exploring digital currencies.
The Takeaway: Even the Oracle Misses the Mark
Warren Buffett’s decision-making has made him one of the wealthiest and most respected investors in history. His strategy of sticking to businesses he understands has allowed him to amass a fortune, but these missed opportunities show that even the Oracle of Omaha is not infallible.
The companies he passed on have not only disrupted industries but have reshaped the global economy. Whether it was Amazon’s e-commerce revolution, Tesla’s electric vehicle dominance, or Bitcoin’s rise as a digital asset, these missed investments highlight how the world is changing faster than ever—and how Buffett’s caution, while generally a strength, sometimes meant missing the future.
For investors today, this serves as a reminder: even the best investors can miss the boat, and sometimes, the biggest opportunities are the ones that seem too risky or difficult to understand.
Charles Bivona Jr aka “Coach JP Money”, is the founder of Coach JP Money. He is a seasoned expert in financial coaching and wealth-building. A multifaceted visionary, Charles is also a writer, global citizen, eco-activist, musician, artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, investor, life coach, and syndicated columnist.
Charles’ journey began with a solid education in accounting, finance, and business at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and California State University, Fullerton. At just 17, he made his first real estate investment with no money down, igniting a lifelong passion for financial independence. By 1998, he had achieved debt-free status and has been building wealth ever since.
As an entrepreneur, Charles owned and operated five national newspapers in the U.S. before transitioning to digital media. He founded and managed influential online platforms, including HireVeterans.com (2004–2020) and VT Foreign Policy (2004–2023).
A proud expat since the late 1990s, Charles resides in Baja, Mexico, with his wife whom he married in 1985. Together, they have three adult children and seven grandchildren. Their eco-conscious home, built with sustainable super-adobe techniques, is now a luxury retreat known as Hacienda Eco-Domes.
Under his music alias Johnny Punish, a name coined during his days fronting the underground punk band Twisted Nixon, he continues to inspire through his art and advocacy through his newest musical adventure; Punish Studios.
Today, as “Coach JP Money” Charles dedicates his life to helping others achieve financial mastery and personal success, sharing decades of experience and wisdom through his coaching, writing, and creative endeavors.
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