2013 has been a fantastic year for tech investors. Excepting the poor performance of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares during the year, the tech market has been buoyant, and many major companies added around 50 percent to their value. Technology is bound to be a major growth area in 2014. Here’s a look at five of the most exciting companies heading into the new year.

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares gained close to 40 percent through 2013. The company’s shares have finally managed to return to growth after years of poor performance. The company is primed to grow in 2014 on the back of major reorganization of its entire business.

What to watch for:

There are a couple of major moves likely to happen at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in the early months of the year that are likely to move the stock and reveal whether it’s likely to grow or not through 2014. The most important is the company’s selection of a CEO. If the market approves of the new chief, and the new company head is able to refocus Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the company will be one to watch through 2014.

Tesla Motors

The electric car pioneer more than quadrupled its value through 2013, and investors are still optimistic about the company’s prospects. Despite the troubles the firm has had in recent months, the company’s potential has not been reigned in. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is leading the race to popularize the electric car, and that may be important in 2014.

What to watch for:

In the opening months of the year there will be two major events at Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA). The company will release its fourth quarter earnings report in 2013, revealing the sales effect of the Model S fires. The results of a NHTSA report on those fires will also be released early in 2014 and may have a substantial effect on the company’s stock.

Alibaba

The Chinese internet giant is due to go public in the opening weeks of 2014. The IPO is sure to be one of the biggest of the new year, and it may be the biggest of 2014. Yahoo Inc,. (NASDAQ:YHOO) owns about 20 percent of the company so the offering will have a significant effect on that company’s stock as well.

What to watch for:

Alibaba is expected to be valued at $10 billion or more when it is offered to the public. The company may suffer from the same post-IPO fugue that has affected many other tech firms in the weeks after the offering, but it is still one to watch in the tech world through 2014.

International Business Machines

The first three companies on this list had a fantastic year in 2013. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) did not see those kinds of returns. The stock is down by around three percent for the full year. There are reasons to be optimistic, however. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) is undervalued, and it operates in a growth area.

What to watch for:

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) will reveal an earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2013 in the opening weeks of next year. Investors will be able to see whether the company’s fortunes in China have improved since its last report. China is of prime importance to IBM, and the company’s entire 2014 performance depends on the country.

Disclosure: Author represents that he has no position in any stocks mentioned in this article at the time this article was submitted.