Robert F. Smith
American investor, inventor, engineer, philanthropist and entrepreneur
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“We will only grasp the staggering potential of our time if we create on-ramps that empower all people to participate.”
- Robert F. Smith
About Robert F. Smith
He is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista) and a committed philanthropist, businessman and investor. In 2025, Smith provided insights for “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” which pairs Dr. King’s most iconic speeches with reflections from Smith.
Early Life
Smith was born to two working-class parents in a predominantly Black, middle-class neighborhood in Denver, CO. From an early age, his parents stressed the importance of giving back and supporting his community. He first learned that everyone had a role to play in creating a better world from watching his parents. Every month, for over 50 years, he watched them donate their limited resources to charities like United Negro College Fund (UNCF), no matter what was happening in their personal lives.
Education and Career
In 1985, Smith earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University. After graduating, he began working in the engineering industry in applied research and development and received two U.S. and two European patents and numerous awards. He graduated with honors from Columbia Business School in 1994 and entered investment banking in mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs in New York City and later San Francisco, CA. To empower technology companies in the enterprise software market, Smith launched Vista in 2000. Under his leadership, the firm’s portfolio has grown to include some of the world’s leading enterprise software companies.
Philanthropy
Throughout his life, Smith’s commitment to philanthropy and expanding opportunities for all has never wavered. Finding ways to make a difference in the communities where he lives and works is central to his character. During his 2019 commencement address at Morehouse College, a Historically Black College, Smith committed to eliminating the student loan debt of the entire graduating class. He later expanded his gift to eliminate student loan debt held by the students’ guardians on their behalf. Smith is also a major donor to Columbia Business School, Cornell University, Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, among many others.
About Vista Equity Partners
Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista, a leading global technology investor that specializes in enterprise software (B2B SaaS) across private equity and private credit. Vista’s private market strategies seek to deliver differentiated returns through a proprietary and systematic approach to value creation developed and refined over the course of 25 years. Today, Vista manages a diversified portfolio of software companies that provide mission-critical solutions to millions of customers around the world.
Priority Initiatives
Philanthropy is not only a passion for Smith — it is central to who he is. Inspired by the example set by his parents, he has developed a deep commitment to giving back.
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Philanthropy
Smith prioritizes making a difference in the communities where he lives and works. In particular, his philanthropy honors the sacrifices and contributions of his parents, grandparents and ancestors, who he says paved the way for his success. Over the years, he has made major contributions to Columbia University, Cornell University, Morehouse College, SFI, SCI and many other organizations.
In addition to his personal philanthropy, Smith is the founding director and President of Fund II Foundation, a charitable organization that makes grants to support organizations focused on uplifting communities that lack access to resources. In 2017, he became the first Black American to sign the Giving Pledge — a commitment to donate a majority of his wealth during his lifetime to charitable causes.
Videos
Watch the latest videos of Smith’s speeches, TV interviews and other appearances.
Honors
Smith received accolades from a number of organizations for his charitable work and leadership.
Press
Read the latest news mentions about Smith, his business and personal giving to support his communities.
