Marc Benioff
Chairman and CEO, Salesforce.comBirth DetailsSeptember 25, 1964 | San Francisco
NationalityAmerican
LeagueEntrepreneur
EducationBachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Southern California
Net Worth$8.6 billion (As of March 1, 2021)
Marc Benioff's Assets:
Marc Benioff's Journey so far ...
Before you go ...
- Salesforce.com
Marc Benioff's Journey so far ...
- Marc Russell Benioff loved technology from an early age. His professional career took off when he sold his first software at the age of 14. A year later, he founded his first company Liberty Software
- Benioff graduated in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and joined Oracle. In Oracle, he worked for 13 years and rose through the ranks to become the youngest Vice-President of the company at the age of 26
- In 1999, Benioff left Oracle to start Salesforce and his former boss and mentor Larry Ellison gave $2 million to the start-up as part of an initial investment
- Their friendship began to fall apart when Oracle made software that was similar to Salesforce products and competed with the latter; Benioff sacked Ellison from the board
- Benioff's start-up survived the dotcom bubble, took on large tech companies and became a leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as many firms around the world started using its products
- Propagating the concept that software should be delivered 24 hours and 365 days to customers over the cloud, Benioff built Salesforce into a software-as-a-service (SaaS) behemoth
- The web-based software provider's IPO in 2004 was an instant hit with investors as the stock gained 55% on the first day of trading and the company raised $110 million
- Under the leadership of Benioff, Salesforce maintained an annual growth rate of 25%. In early 2020, Salesforce overtook Oracle in market cap
- Benioff is famously known for implementing the 1-1-1 model in Salesforce that has been replicated in many other companies globally. In this model, Salesforce donates 1% of its equity, products, and employees’ time to philanthropic causes
- He has also invested in several start-ups
Before you go ...
- Marc Benioff is an inspiration in the field of philanthropy; he and his wife Lynne have pledged a substantial amount of their wealth to philanthropic causes and their area of focus is the health of children, education and environment
- Marc and Lynne Benioff acquired Time magazine from Meredith Corp in September 2018 for $190 million
- Benioff loves Hawaii and spends a lot of time on the tropical island
Last Updated: 01/03/2021
Marc Benioff News
- Salesforce’s AI transformation takes center stage after Q1 resultsSalesforce reported better-than-expected FY2027 first-quarter results, driven by strong demand for AI and cloud products. However, cautious revenue guidance and concerns over AI-driven disruption in the software industry weighed on investor sentiment. Markets are now closely watching whether Salesforce’s AI strategy and Agentforce platform can sustain long-term growth.
- Salesforce to spend $300 million on Anthropic tokens in 2026: CEO Marc BenioffSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed the company anticipates spending nearly $300 million on Anthropic tokens by 2026, primarily for AI-powered software development and coding assistance. Benioff emphasised that AI tools enhance engineer productivity and efficiency, rather than replacing them, as Salesforce continues to invest heavily in AI across its operations.
- Salesforce to hire 1,000 graduates in AI push: CEO Marc BenioffSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff announced plans to hire 1,000 graduates and interns to support expanding AI products, countering concerns about AI eliminating entry-level jobs. This hiring initiative follows news of fewer than 1,000 job cuts in February, impacting roles like marketing and product management.
- Salesforce lays off nearly 1,000 employees in early 2026 ahead of Q4 earnings reportSalesforce job cut: Salesforce has reportedly cut fewer than 1,000 roles across marketing, product management, and AI, following CEO Marc Benioff's acknowledgment of workforce reductions due to AI automation. This move aligns with a broader trend of U.S. companies streamlining operations amid rapid AI adoption, as seen with Amazon's recent layoffs.
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff reveals how swimming with dolphins inspired his multi million-dollar dream, recalls life lesson by Indian GuruSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff's multi million-dollar dream was inspired when he took a break from Oracle and was swimming with dolphins in Hawaii. In an interview, the tech billionaire revealed how he took a sabbatical and came to India, where he met Guru Mata Amritanandamayi in Kerala, who influenced him. He described meeting Mata Amritanandamayi in Kerala as pivotal in shaping his vision for the company.
- Salesforce CEO vies to overcome investors' AI skepticism while touting company's quarterly numbersBenioff, who helped spearhead the transition to cloud computing after founding Salesforce in 1999, got a chance to try to change the AI narrative late Wednesday with the release of his company's latest quarterly results.
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says he won't use OpenAI's ChatGPT again: 'I am not going back, it feels like...'Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff announced he is switching from OpenAI's ChatGPT to Google's Gemini 3, calling the new model an "insane" leap forward in reasoning, speed, and multimodal capabilities. After a two-hour experience, Benioff stated he is "not going back," highlighting Gemini 3's sharper and faster performance across various aspects.
- AI lacks human touch, says Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff; plans to add nearly 5,000 salespeopleSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff believes AI cannot replace sales staff, emphasizing human connection. This comes as Salesforce aggressively deploys AI and hires thousands for sales roles. Previously, the company reduced customer support staff, citing AI's efficiency. While AI handles many tasks, Benioff acknowledges its limitations. Salesforce's AI adoption has also led to reduced recruitment and cost savings.
- Salesforce CEO's big confession on AI after replacing 4,000 employees with Artificial Intelligence agentsSalesforce is cutting customer support jobs, replacing them with AI. However, CEO Marc Benioff believes AI cannot replace human salespeople. He highlights the importance of face-to-face interaction and is now hiring thousands of new sales staff. This move contrasts with industry trends where tech giants are reducing staff while investing in AI. Benioff calls this shift 'reality'.
- Salesforce to invest $15 billion in San Francisco over five yearsSalesforce announced a $15 billion investment in San Francisco over the next five years to boost AI innovation, workforce development, and community growth.
- Salesforce boosts AI capabilities with global launch of Agentforce 360Agentforce 360 has 12,000 customers, including social media company Reddit, restaurant reservation platform OpenTable and employment services firm Adecco, Salesforce said.
- Marc Benioff wants Trump to send troops to San FranciscoSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff expressed strong support for President Trump and endorsed deploying National Guard troops to San Francisco to address crime, citing a lack of sufficient police officers. This marks a notable political shift for the billionaire philanthropist, who previously supported Democratic candidates and causes. City leaders have strongly criticized Benioff's stance, calling it an "assault and occupation."
- Salesforce to spend $1 billion in Mexico over next five years to drive AI adoptionThe company, which began operating in Mexico in 2006, said the investment will fund a new Mexico City office and a Global Delivery Center to support customers across the Americas.
- Is AI killing jobs? Salesforce cuts 4,000 support roles as automation takes overSalesforce job cuts 2025: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed a significant workforce shift driven by artificial intelligence. The company has reduced its customer support roles by 4,000 due to the implementation of its AI-powered 'Agentforce' platform. While some employees were laid off, many have been redeployed to other departments like sales and customer success.
- Microsoft and OpenAI: From allies to rivals in the AI raceOnce AI allies, now rivals in the making — cracks are deepening between Microsoft and OpenAI as competition, control, and cost concerns reshape their high-stakes partnership. As Microsoft develops its own models and distances itself from OpenAI's tech, the future of their alliance hangs in the balance—coexistence or an eventual split remains uncertain.
- Marc Benioff reveals how just one meeting with an Indian 'Mata' in Kerala gave him the idea for $250 billion SalesforceMark Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, reveals the origin of his company's values. He says a trip to India in 1996-97 to meet Mata Amritanandamayi in Kerala inspired him. Mata Amritanandamayi advised him to give back while changing the world. Benioff says this meeting shaped his philanthropic beliefs.
- Tariff situation should get sorted out in short term: Salesforce CEO Marc BenioffPointing to this being “an Indian era,” Benioff, who is also the publisher of Time magazine, said a lot of his company’s artificial intelligence tools are built in India. The San Francisco firm with a current market cap of $248 bn, the tech tycoon said, was started while he was on a spiritual trip to India in 1996-97, and that he continues to draw advice from his gurus here.
- ‘This is an Indian era’: Marc Benioff says tariff tensions short-term, calls for smarter immigration & praises India-built AISalesforce CEO Marc Benioff anticipates a swift resolution to the current tariff situation, highlighting India's growing global influence and the significant contribution of its talent to AI development. He advocates for thoughtful legal immigration policies and acknowledges the rise of digital labor, predicting a multi-trillion dollar opportunity in agents and robots. Benioff also addresses copyright concerns regarding AI data usage.
- Salesforce CEO shares video of a robot cheaper than a MacBookSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff shared a video on X showcasing a robot claimed to be more affordable than a MacBook. Developed by Unitree, the robot’s capabilities sparked mixed reactions, with many expressing concerns about the potential impact of such technologies on the job market and future employment opportunities.
- Salesforce cuts 1,000 jobs amid ongoing tech layoffs: ReportDisplaced workers will, however, have the opportunity to apply for other internal positions. The report also noted that it couldn't be determined which divisions were primarily affected by the reductions. The company CEO Marc Benioff had said last month that Salesforce would not be hiring any more engineers this year due to significant productivity gains from AI.
- Open source advocates hail DeepSeek's rise to fameThe company's dedication to open sourcing is becoming increasingly popular. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said in an X post, "Open-source has lowered barriers, accelerated research, and built the foundation for much of today’s AI progress,"
- Robots coming for your jobs: Marc Benioff rings alarm bells for software engineers and says from now on CEOs will no longer lead all-human workforcesAI coworkers could soon arise to reach the next level in the coming years, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has recently said. According to the one of the top-most US business owners in the country, Benioff is of the opinion that companies may soo be doing away with CEOs and companies could even be led by AI robots
- Elon Musk supports TIME magazine owner's claim: Is Kamala Harris avoiding tough questions?US Vice President Kamala Harris has been facing criticism for avoiding tough questions from the press. Time magazine owner Marc Benioff has also slammed Harris for not giving an interview with the publication following which Elon Musk has weighed in on Benioff's criticism. Musk said that she is avoiding any interviews that won’t post edit her answers to sound like they make sense.
- While doubling India headcount, Salesforce also facilitated 65,000 internships: Arundhati BhattacharyaBhattacharya said, “We have an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with AICTE for providing 200,000 internships, of which we have already done 65,000. So these internships are for three months - one and a half months virtual, one and a half months on the ground, in location.”
- World is moving into the Indian era: Salesforce CEO Marc BenioffIndia not only performs engineering and support functions for the company, but large Indian customers have seen significant success on the Salesforce platform, Marc Benioff told us.
- India presents exciting opportunity, world moving into an Indian era: Salesforce chairmanSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff highlighted India's growing significance, calling it an 'Indian era' at the Dreamforce event. The company has over 11,000 employees in India and is investing aggressively. Salesforce launched 'Agentforce,' an autonomous AI solution, aiming to revolutionize customer service and other functions.
- Salesforce plummets 18% as weak forecast sparks concerns of AI competitionSalesforce shares slumped about 18% on Thursday, after its lowest-ever quarterly revenue growth forecast raised fears that high interest rates and rival AI offerings were hampering demand at the cloud-based software firm.
- Davos 2024: Top quotes from tech world’s leading minds on artificial intelligenceIn all, about 60 heads of state and 800 CEOs were in attendance among a total of 2,800 participants, as they discussed wide-ranging issues — from climate change to economic slowdowns — at both formal and informal gatherings.
- Mark Zuckerberg sells Meta shares worth $428 million. Know why stock prices plummetedMeta shares plummeted to a seven-year low in 2022 after Mark Zuckerberg spent billions on a widely panned shift toward the metaverse. Meta owns Facebook and Instagram. Know how many shares the Meta boss sold last year.
- Salesforce India revenue grew over 50% in FY23, India growth good; company to expand ops in BengaluruArundhati Bhattacharya, India chairperson and CEO, told ET that strong demand for digital solutions has helped define the expansion contours of Salesforce, which Tuesday announced the expansion of its facilities in Bangalore.
- Salesforce CEO offers jobs to any OpenAI researcher who has quitMore than 500 employees of the AI startup, including chief technology officer Mira Murati and chief scientist and cofounder Ilya Sutskever, have threatened to quit if the company’s board did not resign
- Salesforce names Denise Dresser CEO of Slack, replacing JonesSalesforce Inc. named Denise Dresser as the new chief executive officer of Slack, promoting a longtime internal executive as the third leader for the workplace communications unit in the past year.
- Salesforce to hire 3,300 people after layoffs earlier this yearThe new hires will be split among sales, engineering and those working on Saleforce's data cloud product, Chief Operating Officer Brian Millham told Bloomberg.
- Our India growth exceeded expectation; impressed with govt's approach on regulation: Salesforce CEO Marc BenioffSalesforce CEO Marc Benioff has praised India's growth in the market, saying it has surpassed expectations. He highlighted the company's expansion of its engineering center and the productivity of its employees in India. Benioff also commended India's approach to regulations, particularly in terms of safeguarding the tech and digital space. He expressed hope that the government's approach would continue.
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff terms AI amazing; stresses on aspects of trust, valuesSpeaking at Salesforce's flagship event Dreamforce, Benioff said while the AI revolution will impact how everything operates "it is going to bring us back to our core values".
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff shakes up top ranks: reportMiguel Milano has been appointed as the chief revenue officer, the source said, adding that Ariel Kelman will take over as Salesforce's chief marketing officer.
- Salesforce boss took a '10-day digital-detox trip' after sacking 7,000 employeesThe tech giant recently axed 10 per cent of its workforce to cut costs.
- Sacking 7,000 employees in 2-hour call was bad idea: Salesforce CEO Marc BenioffThe enterprise software company Salesforce in January laid off 10 per cent of its workforce, impacting about 7,000 employees, amid the ongoing global macroeconomic conditions.
- Salesforce aims to cut costs by $3 billion to $5 billion: reportSalesforce said on Wednesday that it plans to cut jobs by 10% and close some offices, after rapid pandemic hiring left it with a bloated workforce amid an economic slowdown.
- Salesforce gearing up for fresh round of layoffs: reportIn November, Protocol had reported that Salesforce was planning to fire as many as 2,500 employees, as Big Tech firms navigate through an economic slowdown.
- Salesforce's Bret Taylor steps down as co-CEO, Marc Benioff to be at the helmBenioff will remain the sole CEO and continue as board chairman of the software giant when Taylor departs on Jan. 31, the company said Wednesday in a statement. Taylor has been at the company for the past six years and was named co-CEO in November 2021.
- Two SAP staffers say HR mishandled their work-event rape claimsThe incidents -- one in Las Vegas and the other near Dallas -- provide an unsettling look into how some women at SAP say they struggled to convince their own HR team that they didn’t consent to sexual advances.
- Salesforce starts integrating Slack across products for ‘Digital HQ’Salesforce has announced a new set of capabilities that integrate Slack across its products and industry solutions, two months after it completed the acquisition of the business communications platform.
- Salesforce to send plane load of medical supplies to India: Founder Marc BenioffMarc Benioff, among the pioneers of cloud-based software and created an industry, is also involved in philanthropy in the United States.
- Salesforce waits for the final word on data localisationThe development comes as India has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for Salesforce, with the number of customers and revenues increasing 100% year-on-year.
- Want to be successful like Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff? Don't get bogged down by failureThe man behind the $85 bn company gives his four-point, fool-proof plan to the top.
- Family first: Salesforce offices in US have a special floor where employees can bring their kidsThe company’s CEO, Marc Benioff, knows how to keep his employees happy.
- India Salesforce CEO, Sunil Jose, is all praises for his bossJose looks up to Salesforce CEO, Marc Benioff.
- Game of big buys: Four deals that never turned into realityFor big corporations, race for acquisitions is a `win some, lose some' proposition & as winners make headlines, the misses bring the intrigue.
- Eight CEOs whose protection is costing their companies big bucksGlobal companies are paying bodyguards anywhere from $26,891 to $1,600,000 to protect their CEOs from potential threats.
- Billionaire CEO Marc Benioff on the important topic business schools fail to teachBefore Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff became one of the most powerful figures in Silicon Valley, he was just a student in business school.
- Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff back Uber of trucks Convoy nowConvoy, which shippers can use to request a truck, get instant price quotes and track drivers throughout pickup and delivery, said it's raised $2.5 million.
- Billionaire Marc Benioff has a foolproof tip for giving great presentationsHis keynotes are epic three-hour affairs - this year, he was introduced by a three-song set from music legend Stevie Wonder.
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff takes potshot at Oracle with a PTSD joke about his presidentSalesforce has seen nothing but growth since Block's appointment. It's been beating earnings guidance, while hitting record-high share prices.
- Satya Nadella shows the softer side of MicrosoftNow into his second year leading Microsoft through the cloud-first, mobile-first vision, Nadella highlights that software and services is about collaboration.
- 'Entourage' star Adrian Grenier wants to be billionaire Marc Benioff's presidential running mate in 2020With 170,000 registered attendees, it can be hard to stand out at Dreamforce, Salesforce's annual conference/celebration of itself.
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff blasts Apple for not showcasing more women on stageBenioff told a room full of IT professionals that the only way the tech industry is going to change is if it becomes a major mandate of every tech CEO.
- 10 things highly successful tech executives do before breakfastIt is absolutely crucial that you start your day on a good note. Here are some early morning practices by techies.
- Salesforce has invited Microsoft's Satya Nadella to speak at its huge fall conferenceIn May 2014, they announced their first major partnership that connected Salesforce's CRM software to Microsoft's various cloud offerings.
- 13 interesting startups created by ex-Apple employeesEx-Apple employees have launched companies that are innovating everything from cloud computing to connected home devices and shopping.
- Larry Ellison: SAP and Salesforce pay Oracle a lot of moneyOracle reported its fourth quarter earnings on Wednesday and, the company's founder, Larry Ellison threw a few barbs at his major competitors.
- This funny tweet of Satya Nadella shows how much he changed the company in a yearNadella has taken a different stance towards competitors, cozying up with them, announcing new partnership deals with companies that directly competes.
- 11 life-changing advice by tech celebritiesCommencement speeches could often get boring. But these 11 speeches by some of the most successful tech giants will inspire you to do great things in life.
- Marc Benioff tested Satya Nadella before deciding to ease out with MicrosoftThe relationship has improved a lot in the nearly 16 months since Satya Nadella replaced Ballmer as Microsoft’s CEO.
- Many entrepreneurs let go of their fledgling business rather than build them to full scale. We found out whyLittle wonder then despite being a $500 billion opportunity in retail business, there are only big players like snapdeal and flipkart
- Premji Invest backs California-based enterprise Co ZuoraZuora had last raised $50 million from investors like Vulcan Capital, Greylock Partners, Index Ventures and Redpoint Ventures in September 2013.
- Marc Benioff's 'real life Seinfeld' situationBillionaire tech CEO Marc Benioff gets the Seinfeld treatment at Paris café as maître d’ snubs him.
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