Friday, March 07, 2008

Lawrence Ellison US US$25B


Oracle titan reshaping the software industry via acquisition; has purchased 21 companies for more than $19 billion since the beginning of 2006.


Forging into retail, business intelligence software; determined to squeeze out German rival SAP.
Biggest challenge: making the myriad applications work together for the release of Oracle Fusion later this year.


Chicago-bred tech tycoon studied physics at U. of Chicago; didn't graduate.


Started Oracle in 1977. Took public in 1986, a day before Microsoft. Companies have been fiercely competitive since.


Side bet: invested $125 million in Web software outfit NetSuite.


Still yearning to win yachting's most prestigious trophy, the America's Cup. Lost last year to Luna Rossi.


Also owns 453-foot Rising Sun; building a smaller leisure boat because mega-yacht is hard to park.

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