Investor John Templeton got his start in penny stocks. Here are some large companies that were once pennystocks!

Let’s explore how some of these tech giants 

and other companies were once penny stocks:

1. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL): Apple, founded in 1976, had its ups and downs. With nine stock splits taken into account, it was in penny stock territory as recently as 1995. Now, it trades above $300 a share1.

2. Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F): Ford, a Fortune 500 company, was also once a penny stock. It has come a long way since then2.

3. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN): Believe it or not, Amazon was once a penny stock too. Its remarkable growth turned it into the e-commerce giant we know today3.

4. Google (now Alphabet): Google (now part of Alphabet) started as a penny stock when it went public in 2004. Its search engine dominance and expansion into various tech sectors transformed it into a powerhouse1.

5. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT): Microsoft, with its stock splits considered, was in penny stock territory until the mid-1990s. It has since become one of the world’s most valuable companies1.

These transformations demonstrate the potential for substantial growth

even from humble beginnings!

As an interesting side note, in 1998 when Amazon was still in it's infancy, Jeff Bezos was not a multi billionaire. 

However, he saw a company that he believed had a vision for the future.  He invested $250,000 (a large sum for him at the time) into that company. That company was Google!

Bezos turned that modest $250,000 investment into $7.9 billion 

a 3 million percent-plus return

Here are five more companies that were once penny stocks that have achieved significant success:

1. Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (SIRI): Sirius XM, one of the world’s biggest audio and communication companies, was once a penny stock trading at only $0.60 about 10 years ago. It has since grown over 965% and expanded its reach with the addition of Pandora Radio1.

2. Accelerate Diagnostics Inc. (AXDX): Focused on solving antibiotic resistance challenges, Accelerate Diagnostics has seen substantial growth. Its stock was once considered a very small penny stock but has risen significantly since then1.

3. True Religion (formerly NASDAQ: TRLG): True Religion traded under $1 in the mid-2000s and grew into a strong company2.

4. Pier 1 (formerly NYSE: PIR, now OTCPK: PIRRQ): Pier 1 experienced tremendous highs as a penny stock and managed to reverse its fortunes2.

5. Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST): Monster Beverage, known for energy drinks, was once a penny stock and has become a major player in the market

Remember, investing in penny stocks can be risky, but these examples show that with the right catalysts and timing, substantial growth is possible! 

Are there hidden gems in today's crop of penny stocks with new technology?

We currently own shares in these Microcap companies!

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DNA RXRX IONQ QBTS OUST AEVA WONDR CHPT ADPT OPEN EDIT CRSP STEM PLUG 

MIT performance report supports Beryllium Nuclear Fuel and SiC fuel technology

Published Tuesday, July 9, 2013 6:05 am

VANCOUVER, BC – July 9^th, 2013 – IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (TSX-V: IB; OTCQX: IAALF) (“IBC” or the “Company”) reports that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) has completed its initial review and delivered a fuel performance report validating the feasibility of IBC’s patented beryllium oxide (“BeO”) nuclear fuel technology combined with Ceramic Tubular Products, LLC (“CTP”) silicon carbide cladding. As reported in June 2012, IBC entered into a sponsored research agreement with MIT to analyze the performance of the BeO enhanced fuel and how it would perform with the addition of silicon carbide ("SiC) cladding.

IBC’s partnerships with CTP and MIT regarding a SiC based ceramic composite cladding complement IBC’s ongoing nuclear fuel R&D being conducted at Purdue and Texas A&M universities. The fuel performance report validates the characteristics of the fuel technology and further demonstrates how IBC’s BeO enhanced fuel, combined with CTP’s SiC cladding, could result in reduced fuel operating temperature and improve fuel operating characteristics leading to a safer and more accident tolerant fuel.

As a result of recent events in the nuclear industry, especially the well known issues at Fukushima in 2011, industry officials and governments are developing alternative strategies and increasingly reviewing the safety benefits of accident tolerant fuels. Because of this increasing industry awareness, the Company is in discussions with a number of potential nuclear industry partners, including Japanese fuel cycle suppliers, to explore and discuss the next phase of R&D including irradiation requirements and testing of the fuel in test reactors.

“We are very encouraged with the conclusions of the MIT fuel performance report about the beneficial characteristics and capability of the enhanced BeO fuel in combination with the SiC cladding technology”, said Jim Malone, IBC’s Vice President of Nuclear Fuel. “IBC is working diligently with Purdue, Texas A&M, CTP and and other industry participants to take the next step of a full irradiation trial in a test reactor to further understand and evaluate the advantages of BeO enhanced fuel as a next generation accident tolerant fuel.”

The IBC sponsored research at MIT is led by Dr. Mujid Kazimi, the MIT Tokyo Electric Power Company (“TEPCO”) Professor in Nuclear Engineering. Dr. Kazimi is also an MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Director of the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems (“CANES”). Dr. Kazimi is an expert on fuel performance, safety and power density with a substantial body of peer-reviewed publications as well as numerous academic awards and nuclear industry honors. In addition to his MIT responsibilities, Dr. Kazimi is also a member of the Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee at the US Department of Energy.

As previously reported, IBC has extended its research agreements with Purdue and Texas A&M, to advance its BeO nuclear fuels R&D until December 2013. IBC’s nuclear fuel program is focused on developing an accident tolerant high thermal conductivity BeO nuclear fuel for both current and future nuclear power reactors that is more efficient and safer than existing nuclear fuels. The project’s objective is to commercialize the intellectual property and to position IBC as an essential part of the nuclear industry’s supply chain.

About IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.

IBC is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of rare metals (beryllium) based alloys and related products serving a variety of sectors including aerospace, automotive, telecommunications and a range of industrial applications. IBC has 86 employees and production facilities in Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Missouri. IBC is creating a dynamic global advanced alloys company. IBC’s common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “IB” and the OTCQX under the symbol “IAALF”.

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.

Ian Tootill, Director of Corporate Communications

(604) 685-6263 ext 110

Email: itootill@ibcadvancedalloys.com

Website: www.ibcadvancedalloys.com

Great Panther Silver Appoints New Director and Strengthens Senior Management Team in Mexico

Great Panther Silver Limited

TSX : GPR
NYSE MKT : GPL

May 14, 2013 08:00 ET

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - GREAT PANTHER SILVER LIMITED (TSX:GPR)(NYSE MKT:GPL) ("Great Panther"; the "Company") today announced the appointment of Mr. Geoff Chater to its Board of Directors, effective immediately, and the recent addition of two senior personnel to the management team in Mexico.

Mr. Chater holds a B.Sc. in Geology and has more than 24 years of experience in the mineral and mining industries operating in North America, South America and Africa. He is the principal of Namron Advisors, a consultancy that provides corporate strategy, transaction related business development and capital markets relationship development, financing and communications advice. Recently he served as President of Valley High Ventures Ltd., and from 1999 to 2008, he was Manager of Corporate Relations for First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Prior to joining First Quantum he held positions with Nevada Pacific Gold Ltd., Eldorado Gold Corporation, Ivanhoe Capital Corporation, Fairbanks Gold Ltd. and Cornucopia Resources Ltd. He is currently a Director of Bearing Resources Ltd., Kiska Metals Ltd., Lara Exploration Ltd., Luna Gold Corp. and Reservoir Minerals Inc.

Recently joining the Great Panther Senior Management Team in Mexico is Mr. Juan Manuel Flores, Vice President, Operations and Mr. Cesar Epifanio, Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E). Both executives are based in Guanajuato. Mr. Flores has over 35 years of industry experience and holds a B.Sc. in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering and a Master of Science, Mineral Economics. Mr. Epifanio has a long history of success in SH&E with multi-national companies and holds a degree in Industrial Engineering with an additional degree in Health and Safety. Great Panther's Mexican subsidiary was recently awarded the distinction as a "Socially Responsible Company" by CEMEFI (Centro Mexicano para la Filantropia), for a third consecutive year and is committed to maintaining this status.
Mr. Chater's addition to the Board will provide increased depth in the mining industry with particular emphasis on the capital markets sector. Mr. Flores and Mr. Epifanio have already strengthened the in-country management team that oversees Great Panther's existing operations and will take San Ignacio into production next year in a socially and environmentally responsible fashion with safety of our personnel as our number one priority.

ABOUT GREAT PANTHER
Great Panther Silver Limited is a profitable, primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol GPR, and on the NYSE MKT trading under the symbol GPL. The Company's current activities are focused on the mining of precious metals from its two wholly-owned operating mines in Mexico, Topia and Guanajuato. Great Panther is also in the process of developing its San Ignacio Project and has two exploration projects, El Horcon and Santa Rosa. The Company is also pursuing additional mining opportunities within Latin America, with the goal of adding to its portfolio of mineral properties.
For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.greatpanther.com.

Contact Information

Great Panther Silver Limited
Robert Archer
Chief Executive Officer
1-888-355-1766

Great Panther Silver Limited
Rhonda Bennetto
Vice President Corporate Communications
1-888-355-1766
info@greatpanther.com
www.greatpanther.com