• Helping you understand who owns the world, and how you can invest in it.
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About Substox

Empowering smarter financial decisions

Who We Are

Substox was inspired by an idea I developed while preparing a lesson plan on the stock market. My name is Thomas Kempf, and I aspire to become an Economics teacher. I was struck by the extent to which private companies and well-known brands are owned by publicly traded holding companies. This realization led me to create a comprehensive database website that clearly identifies which companies can — and cannot — be directly invested in through the stock market.

As someone who takes financial literacy seriously, my mission is to help others understand the importance of investing in assets like stocks to secure their financial future. Many Americans fall into consumption traps, overspending on appealing but non-essential purchases. While discretionary spending is not inherently negative, balancing it with investing is essential. Whether we realize it or not, everyday consumption — from technology and food to energy and utilities — links us to the stock market.

Financial literacy is one of the most important skills to develop in adulthood. Neglecting it can have serious consequences, while embracing it provides a deeper understanding of money and the way the world operates. Substox empowers both new and experienced investors by offering clear insights into the influence large corporations have over industries and consumers, enabling users to make informed investments.

Thomas Kempf — Founder, Substox
The Substox team — founder Thomas Kempf and the people behind the platform
From the trading floor to your portfolio

The Financial Picture

The New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street
The New York Stock Exchange — the heart of American capital markets.
The NASDAQ MarketSite tower in Times Square
NASDAQ — home to the technology companies shaping the future.
The Charging Bull statue in New York's Financial District
The Charging Bull — the enduring symbol of market optimism.

Silent footage looking down Wall Street in New York's financial district, with the facade of the New York Stock Exchange in view.

Wall Street — where ownership of the world's companies changes hands.
A guiding principle

"The More You Learn, The More You Earn."

Identify investable companies

Identify What's Investable

Search any brand to see whether it is publicly traded, privately owned, or part of a larger holding company you can invest in.
Understand ownership networks

Map Ownership Networks

See how everyday brands connect to the publicly traded conglomerates and holding companies that own them.
Build financial literacy

Build Financial Literacy

Learn the fundamentals of stocks, sectors, monopolies, and emerging trends so you can invest with clarity and confidence.
Questions people ask

Common Questions

Who is behind Substox?

Thomas Kempf, an aspiring economics teacher who built the site after realising how many well-known brands sit inside publicly traded holding companies. He writes and checks the content himself.

Where does the data come from?

Company listings, tickers, sectors and market values are compiled from public exchange data and company filings, then reviewed by hand before publication. Market values move constantly, so treat every figure as a snapshot rather than a live quote.

I found something wrong. How do I report it?

Please do — corrections are welcome. Email substox2025@gmail.com or use the contact form with the company name and what looks off.