Robert F. Smith’s 2025 CNBC Closing Bell Interview

Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista), was interviewed by Scott Wapner on CNBC’s Closing Bell on April 24, 2025. The interview coincided with Vista’s 25th anniversary and the firm’s ceremonial ringing of the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Smith began by highlighting the power of software, even in uncertain economic times. He spoke about the global impact of cloud computing and emphasized that the U.S. has the digital infrastructure to withstand international trade disruptions. He also noted that corrected valuations have created new opportunities for Vista to take companies private.

The discussion then shifted to the market resiliency of enterprise software. Smith expects strong returns from enterprise software, especially as agentic AI technology advances. Drawing on his experiences during the emergence of software as a critical business tool, Smith also discussed how he is seeing similar, broad shifts in the tech industry today as it approaches a new equilibrium. Smith also spoke about how Vista portfolio companies are adopting AI tools and products, and the need for companies to efficiently adopt this tech to drive value for customers.
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Robert F. Smith is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista. Smith prioritizes making a difference in the communities where he lives and works. To learn more about Smith, visit https://robertsmith.com/.
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Video Chapters
00:00 - 2:45 Vista's 25 Years of Investing and The Power of Software
05:13 - 9:59 The Effect of AI on Tech Investments
09:59 - 14:09 Embracing the AI Revolution
14:09 - 17:59 Identifying Equilibrium Systems in Technology