Robert F. Smith is an African-American businessman and philanthropist and he was born in Denver, Colorado in 1962.
Robert F. Smith Facts
- Robert F. Smith Net worth: $11.4 Billion (USD)
- Robert F. Smith occupation: Businessman, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners.
- Robert F. Smith Height: 5’10
- Robert F. Smith is married.
- Robert F. Smith has 7 children.
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About Robert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith is a black billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners. Smith was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1962. He attended Cornell University, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. After graduating from Cornell, Smith worked as an engineer for several companies, including Kraft General Foods and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. In 1994, he earned an MBA from Columbia Business School.
- He is featured in our list of the Richest black people in the United States.
After graduating from Columbia Business School, Smith joined Goldman Sachs as an investment banker. He specialized in technology mergers and acquisitions, and he worked on deals involving some of the largest technology companies in the world. In 2000, Smith left Goldman Sachs to found Vista Equity Partners.
Vista Equity Partners is a private equity firm that invests in software and technology-enabled businesses. The firm has over $100 billion in assets under management, and it has made over 600 investments. Vista Equity Partners has been very successful, and it has generated billions of dollars in profit for its investors.
Smith is also a philanthropist. He has donated millions of dollars to educational institutions, including Cornell University and Morehouse College. He is also the founder of the Fund II Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that support education, entrepreneurship, and social justice.
Smith is a highly respected businessman and philanthropist. He has been recognized for his achievements by numerous organizations, including Fortune magazine, which named him one of the 50 Most Powerful Black People in America.
How Robert F. Smith makes his money
Robert F. Smith made his money through investing including mergers and acquisition via being the founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners.
Robert F. Smith Facts & Achievements:
- He is the first African American to be the chairman and CEO of a major private equity firm.
- He is a member of the Business Roundtable, a group of CEOs of the largest U.S. companies.
- He is a trustee of the Carnegie Hall Corporation and the Aspen Institute.
- He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.
- Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy
- Texas Business Hall of Fame (2019 Inductee)
- UNCF President’s Award
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chair’s Award
Robert F. Smith Quotes
- “Not everyone wants to make the sacrifice in the trade-off to become wealthier, and the first part of that trade-off is savings and investment and time.”
- “Put action to support the intention, don’t say I want to be a millionaire but don’t take the activities to do it.”
Want to find out how Robert F. Smith mind works? Read more of his inspiring quotes about life and business.
You can also check out some Robert F. Smith videos & pictures or read about Ursula Burns and how she rose to the top.