BlackRock Inc. is a diversified investment firm founded in 1988 and based in New York City. The company provides investment management, risk management, and advisory services for business and retail clients globally. It is widely recognized as the world's largest asset manager by assets under its management measured in US dollars. The company operates 70 offices in 30 countries and has active clients in over 100 nations. BlackRock was founded by Ralph L. Schlosstein, Susan L. Wagner, Robert Steven Kapito, Laurence Douglas Fink, and Barbara G. Novick in 1988.