What company owns Ripple?

I'm curious, could you tell me which company owns Ripple? It's a topic that's been piquing my interest lately, given the buzz surrounding the cryptocurrency world. Ripple seems to be making quite a stir in the industry, and I'm eager to learn more about its origins and backers. Is it a startup with a small but dedicated team, or is it backed by a larger financial institution? Either way, I'm sure there's a fascinating story behind it. Could you enlighten me on this matter?