During the period from 1450 to 1750, joint-stock companies played a crucial role in global trade and exploration. These companies were formed by investors pooling their resources to finance large-scale ventures such as overseas trade expeditions or colonization efforts. They enabled individuals to share both the costs and risks associated with these ventures while also offering the potential for significant profits. Joint-stock companies, such as the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company, transformed the global economy by facilitating long-distance trade, colonization, and the establishment of commercial empires.
