Vista Equity Partners (Vista) is a global, market-leading asset manager that invests in enterprise software companies transforming our world. The firm leverages private equity, permanent capital, credit and public equity strategies to invest in quality businesses and deliver consistent results to its investors.
Founder, Chairman and CEO Robert F. Smith established Vista in 2000 with the belief that enterprise software would transform the global economy through advancements in productivity and connectivity. As that conviction has become reality, Vista has emerged as the most active investor in the enterprise software market, widely recognized for its leadership and expertise in the sector. Over time, and with each additional investment strategy, the firm has adapted its ability to invest in next-generation companies and systematically build out the Vista ecosystem. Vista offers compelling capital solutions and expertise to help the founders, CEOs and management teams of today’s leading enterprise software businesses thrive in their markets.
Vista’s Commitment to ESG and DE&I
Vista believes the transformative power of technology is the key to an even better future – a healthier planet, a smarter economy, an inclusive community and a broader path to prosperity. The firm’s global technology ecosystem – which spans markets and asset classes – is a platform capable of catalyzing impact at scale. By approaching ESG and DE&I with a systemic mindset, Vista aims to create value and build resiliency in its companies. Vista advances ESG and DE&I progress similar to other value creation efforts – by providing best practices, tools and expertise to drive impact.
Vista’s diversity, equity and inclusion mission is to transform the worlds of technology and investing by providing access and opportunity to traditionally underserved communities. Vista engages through a holistic approach that encompasses the firm, its portfolio, the broader investment and technology industries and the local communities where Vista employees live and work.
Internship Opportunities at Vista
Vista supports programs that further racial equity, particularly those providing educational opportunities and job training to help close the digital divide. At the firm level, Vista offers internship and early career programs designed to create onramps to opportunity. Vista’s Frontier Fellows program is aimed at undergraduate students who come from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in private equity. Through the program, participants learn, grow and gain hands-on experience with guidance from senior leaders at the firm. Vista also partners with Girls Who Invest to offer internship and educational opportunities to women interested in the asset management industry. The firm recently expanded its internship offerings to include opportunities for rising sophomores through partnerships with KIPP and the Posse Foundation.
Portfolio Engagement
Vista’s commitment to DE&I extends to its portfolio of enterprise software companies. Through Vista’s External Board Program, the firm sources board members from underrepresented backgrounds who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to its companies. Vista also offers Conscious Inclusion training to executives who participate in Vista’s High Potential Leadership and Pinnacle leadership development portfolio programs. Through these courses, executives learn how to foster a work culture where team members of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to bring their best selves to work.
Community Involvement
Vista supports and engages with organizations driving positive impact in local communities. In partnership with Code.org, Vista supports universal access to computer science education to ensure the digital economy is open to all. Both Vista and Smith partner with DonorsChoose to further educational equity by providing supplies and resources to students in the communities supported by SCI. Smith is also a proud partner and contributor to Student Freedom Initiative, which helps to relieve the burden of student loan debt on students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
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