Robert F. Smith — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a global investment firm focused on enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled businesses.
Founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000.
Became the first Black American to sign the Giving Pledge in 2017, committing to give away the majority of his wealth.
Founding director and President of Fund II Foundation, co-leads Southern Communities Initiative, and serves as Chairman of Student Freedom Initiative.
Previously served as Co-Head of Enterprise Systems and Storage at Goldman Sachs.
Holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University.

Biography

Robert F. Smith is an investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, driven by a goal to make the world a more equitable place. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a leading global investment firm that exclusively invests in enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled businesses. In this role, Smith directs the firm's investment strategy, governance, and investor relations.

Smith's career began with an internship at Bell Labs while still in high school.