Robert F. Smith’s 2025 CNBC Closing Bell Interview

About

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. He co-leads Southern Communities Initiative (SCI), is the Chairman of Carnegie Hall and Student Freedom Initiative and is the founding director and President of Fund II Foundation. Smith has also been named one of Forbes’ 100 Greatest Living Business Minds. Many know him for his $34 million gift to the Morehouse College Class of 2019 to pay off their student loan debt and debt held by their parents on their behalf. The only thing he asked of the graduates in return was to pay it forward. Smith earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell and practiced as an engineer. He then successfully pivoted to a career in finance and investing after earning his MBA from Columbia Business School. Subscribe for career advice and dialogues about generative AI and other emerging tech, internships, mentorship and giving back. #robertfsmith #vistaequitypartners #investor #philanthropist