Carl Thoma on investing in software, opportunities in technology, Thoma Bravo’s increased activity in the current market and lessons from past investments
Trinity SMF PodcastShow Notes
Carl Thoma is a Founder and Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity firm. Thoma Bravo manages over $120 billion of assets and is best known for investing in software and technology businesses.
Carl was a Co-Founder and Managing Director at Golder, Thoma, Cressey, Rauner and its predecessor funds since 1980. He began his career at First Chicago Equity Group where he helped build one of the largest and most active private equity firms in the country.
Carl is an avid art collector and he has received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS degree in Accounting and Agriculture Economics from Oklahoma State University.
Together with his wife Marilynn, Carl runs the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, a grant-making organization dedicated to sharing its collection and supporting museums, projects and individuals pursuing innovative ideas in the visual arts.
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VIEWER NOTE: This episode was recorded on September 22nd, 2026. Facts and figures discussed in the episode may have since changed.
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