# Profile: Ryan Smith — Qualtrics Co-Founder

**Type:** source
**Status:** Useful
**Confidence:** Medium
**Source Type:** News Article
**URL:** https://www.qualtrics.com/company/about/
**Publisher:** Qualtrics / Utah Business / Bloomberg
**Accessed:** 2026-06-19
**Updated:** 2026-06-19

## Summary

Ryan Smith is publicly documented as co-founder and former CEO of Qualtrics, founded in Provo, Utah in 2002. The Qualtrics venture page and published reporting establish the key biography: founded with Scott Smith, Jared Smith, and Stuart Orgill; SAP acquisition for $8 billion in 2018; independent NASDAQ IPO (XM) in 2021; Silver Lake take-private for ~$12.5 billion in 2023. Smith also purchased the Utah Jazz NBA franchise in 2020 for approximately $1.66 billion.

## Useful Claims

- Ryan Smith co-founded Qualtrics in 2002 in Provo, Utah with Scott Smith, Jared Smith, and Stuart Orgill.
- Qualtrics was the largest software company built in Utah prior to its SAP acquisition.
- SAP acquired Qualtrics in 2018 for $8 billion — SAP's largest acquisition at the time.
- Qualtrics held an independent NASDAQ IPO (ticker XM) in 2021 after being spun out from SAP.
- Silver Lake and CPPIB took Qualtrics private in 2023 for approximately $12.5 billion.
- Ryan Smith purchased the Utah Jazz NBA franchise in 2020 for approximately $1.66 billion, becoming a prominent Utah civic figure.

## Reliability Notes

The Qualtrics venture page draws from public company announcements and press reporting. The acquisition figures and IPO dates are confirmable via SEC filings and financial press. The Utah Jazz purchase price is widely reported by multiple outlets. Biographical details beyond the founder record are less well-sourced in the current wiki.

## Related Pages

- [Ryan Smith (Qualtrics)](ryan-smith-qualtrics.md)
- [Qualtrics](qualtrics.md)