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, regardless of background, country of origin, religious practice, gender or color of skin.”
- Robert F. Smith
About Robert F. Smith
He is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista), which is focused on exclusively investing in enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses.
Early Life
Robert F. 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, as well as 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 Equity Partners (Vista), a leading global investment firm, in 2000. Under his leadership, the firm’s portfolio has grown to include some of the world’s leading enterprise software businesses.
Philanthropy
Throughout his life, Smith’s commitment to philanthropy and equity has never wavered, and 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 surprised the graduating class by pledging to pay off the entire class’ student loan debt — a $34 million gift that helped nearly 400 graduates and their guardians. He 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 investment firm.
As one of the most active investment firms in the enterprise software market, Vista believes in the advancement of technology to create opportunity. Vista manages a robust investment platform by applying market expertise across private equity, permanent capital, credit and public equity investment strategies. This focus over the past decades enabled Vista to develop an adaptable, analytical investment approach to growth that prioritizes value creation through operational transformation in close partnership with founders, leaders and executive teams.
Priority Initiatives
Philanthropy is not only a passion for Smith — it is central to who he is. Inspired by his parents’ example, he has developed a deep commitment to giving back.
Blog
Championing Equality: 3 Women in AI Making an Impact
Successful Entrepreneurs: Exploring the Stories of Leaders
How to Get an MBA as an Engineer
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 and many other organizations.
In addition to his personal philanthropy, Smith is the founding director and President of Fund II Foundation, a charitable organization making grants to support a broad range of organizations that are focusing efforts on uplifting the Black community and other communities that lack access to opportunities. 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.
Honors
He received accolades from a number of different organizations for his charitable work, entrepreneurship and industry leadership.
Press
Read the latest news mentions about him, his business and giving to support his communities.
