A parent company is a corporation that owns enough voting stock in another company, known as a subsidiary, to control its policies and management. This ownership allows the parent company to influence the subsidiary's operations while maintaining separate legal identities. Parent companies can own multiple subsidiaries across various industries. Parent companies often provide resources, such as funding and expertise, to their subsidiaries, helping them grow and succeed. Examples of well-known parent companies include Alphabet Inc., which owns Google, and Procter & Gamble, which has numerous well-known brands under its umbrella.