Governors of the Sovereign Company of the Dutch East India Company, early 18th century (engraving)

Compagnie Souveraine des Indes Orientales; The Dutch East India Company; Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC, was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia; often considered to have been the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock; also arguably the first megacorporation, possessing quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, imprison and execute convicts, negotiate treaties, coin money, and establish colonies;