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Robert Pera

Robert Pera (born March 10, 1978) is an businessman, , and sports team owner best known as the founder and of Ubiquiti Inc., a global provider of networking technology including systems, routers, antennas, and switches targeted at emerging markets and enterprises. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Redwood City, California, Pera earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and Japanese, followed by a master's degree in electrical engineering with a focus on digital communications and circuit design, all from the University of California, San Diego, graduating in 2002. After starting his career by founding a computer services company in high school, Pera joined Apple Inc. in 2002, where he worked on testing Wi-Fi routers and devices until 2005. In 2005, Pera founded Ubiquiti Networks (now Ubiquiti Inc.) using $30,000 in personal savings and credit card debt, initially operating from his apartment in , while developing affordable wireless networking solutions for underserved markets. The company launched its first product, the NanoStation, in 2008, followed by the AirMAX system in 2009, and went public via IPO in 2011, growing to over $2.6 billion in revenue by fiscal 2025 with Pera retaining approximately 93% ownership. As of November 18, 2025, Pera's net worth is estimated at $24.4 billion, largely derived from Ubiquiti's success, which has seen its stock price nearly triple in recent years. Beyond technology, Pera acquired a controlling stake in the NBA's in 2012 for $377 million, becoming the league's youngest majority owner at age 34, and bought out minority partners in 2018 to gain full control. Under his ownership, the Grizzlies achieved a franchise-record 56 wins in the 2021-2022 season and advanced to the , with the team now valued at approximately $4 billion. Pera maintains a low public profile, focusing on innovation in wireless connectivity and community support through the Grizzlies Foundation.

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Robert Pera was born on March 10, 1978, in , and grew up in . Pera was raised in a family with professional backgrounds in business and communications; his father worked as a and later became CEO of Armanino Foods, an Italian frozen food manufacturer from 2009 to 2020, while his mother worked in . From an early age, Pera displayed a strong interest in , particularly , which fueled his curiosity about emerging like Japanese imports of titles such as . He missed a year of high school due to a heart infection but played and demonstrated entrepreneurial drive by launching his first venture during high school, providing computer setup services, including and databases. His parents' professional experiences supported Pera's enthusiasm for technology and business, setting the stage for his academic pursuits at the .

Academic background

Robert Pera attended the (UCSD), where he pursued undergraduate and graduate studies in engineering and language. He earned a in and a in as an undergraduate, followed by a in with an emphasis in digital communications and RF , graduating in 2002. Pera graduated , recognizing his academic excellence across disciplines. During his undergraduate years, he spent a junior year abroad in , where he observed advanced technology. The dual focus on and equipped him with technical proficiency alongside cultural and linguistic insights, preparing him for leadership in the global technology sector.

Professional career

Engineering role at Apple

Robert Pera joined Apple Inc. in 2002 as a wireless engineer in the hardware division, focusing on the company's emerging wireless technologies. Drawing from his electrical engineering education at the University of California, San Diego, Pera contributed to the evaluation and development of Wi-Fi hardware, including the AirPort base station, which was Apple's early wireless networking product line. His role involved testing and optimizing Wi-Fi devices to enhance performance and reliability for consumer applications. During his tenure, Pera identified opportunities to significantly improve range and efficiency, proposing innovations in antenna design and that he believed could extend coverage beyond the limitations of existing products. However, Apple's management declined to pursue these ideas, citing alignment issues with the company's premium pricing and integrated ecosystem strategy, which frustrated Pera and prompted him to explore independent development. In his spare time, he prototyped a low-cost, high-performance module using off-the-shelf components, laying the groundwork for future ventures while still employed at Apple. Pera's employment at Apple lasted until early 2005, spanning just over two years, during which his experiences with corporate constraints on shaped his approach to . This period, though brief, provided critical insights into scalable hardware that he later applied elsewhere, highlighting the tension between individual ingenuity and large-scale product priorities at a tech giant.

Founding Ubiquiti Networks

Robert Pera founded Ubiquiti Networks in October 2003 while working at Apple. He left Apple in early 2005 to devote himself full-time to the company, the venture with personal savings and while operating from a modest $600-per-month in . Drawing from his wireless engineering experience at Apple, Pera aimed to address gaps in the market for affordable, high-performance networking solutions. The company initially developed wireless networking products, including high-powered radio cards, antennas, and access points, designed for enterprise and (WISP) applications in unlicensed spectrum. These innovations targeted underserved markets by offering cost-effective alternatives to expensive proprietary systems from incumbents, emphasizing ease of deployment and scalability for point-to-multipoint connections. Early success came quickly, with securing its first orders for 4,000 radio cards to U.S. WISPs in the summer of 2005. Ubiquiti's growth accelerated through a lean, community-driven model, relying on online forums for product feedback and global distributors rather than a traditional sales force, which enabled rapid iteration and international reach. By 2007-2008, the launch of the airMAX product line further disrupted the WISP sector with advanced time-division duplexing technology for reliable long-range links. Revenues surged from $22.4 million in fiscal 2008 to $130.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2011, with over 70% derived from overseas markets, reflecting strong global expansion into regions like , , and . The company's evolution culminated in its on October 14, 2011, when it raised $105.6 million by selling 7.04 million shares at $15 each, achieving a market valuation of $1.45 billion. Post-IPO, Pera retained approximately 64% ownership, providing him with a valued at nearly $1 billion at the time and underscoring his dominant control. Under Pera's continued leadership as CEO, expanded its portfolio to include routers and switches, solidifying its position as a disruptor in cost-effective, high-performance for and use. As of 2025, the company reported revenue of $2.6 billion, with Pera owning approximately 93% of the shares.

Ownership of Memphis Grizzlies

In June 2012, Robert Pera agreed to purchase the Memphis Grizzlies from owner Michael Heisley for $377 million, a deal that was unanimously approved by the NBA Board of Governors in October of that year. At age 34, Pera became the youngest controlling owner of an NBA franchise in league history. His wealth from founding Ubiquiti Networks enabled this acquisition, marking a significant diversification into sports ownership. To ensure the franchise's long-term stability in Memphis, Pera agreed to several provisions upon purchase, including a non-relocation clause committing the team to the city for at least 15 more years and granting local partners a on any future sale until 2027. Based in , at the time, Pera shifted his focus to team ownership by emphasizing the ' role as a community asset, publicly stating his commitment to keeping the franchise in Memphis despite initial rumors of potential relocation to the Bay Area. Over the subsequent decade, he has consistently rejected any notion of moving the team, reinforcing its roots in the city through lease extensions at . Pera's management style prioritizes innovation through data analytics and collaborative decision-making, drawing from his technology background to hire non-traditional executives like John Hollinger as vice president of basketball operations to implement advanced metrics for roster evaluation. He maintains a hands-off approach, rarely appearing publicly in , but supports aggressive spending, including willingness to exceed the NBA to build a contending roster. Fan engagement is a core focus, with initiatives to integrate the team into local culture, such as community outreach and arena upgrades to enhance the in-game experience. Under Pera's ownership, key events have included significant stadium developments, such as a 2022 lease amendment extending play at through 2029. In 2023, the state announced $350 million in funding toward renovations, which evolved into a $550 million plan by 2025, including improvements to modernize the arena and enhance fan amenities, alongside an understanding for a long-term commitment to keep the team in beyond 2029. Roster decisions have emphasized youth and sustainability, highlighted by the 2019 draft selection of as the second overall pick, which propelled the team to a Western Finals appearance in 2022 and consistent playoff contention. Pera's navigation of a 2017 buy-sell dispute with minority owners, where he matched a $1.3 billion valuation to retain control and bought out partners in 2018 for full ownership, underscored his dedication to the franchise's direction and contributed to broader NBA discussions on ownership stability. As of 2025, the Grizzlies are valued at approximately $4 billion.

Philanthropy and personal life

Charitable contributions

Robert Pera has been a prominent supporter of the Grizzlies Foundation, the charitable arm of the , focusing on initiatives that enhance youth development, education, and health outcomes in the community. In 2014, Pera made a significant financial contribution to the foundation, which has enabled programs like the TEAM UP initiative, emphasizing mentoring, academic support, and healthy lifestyles for underserved youth. Additionally, his company, Ubiquiti Networks, provides in-kind donations of wireless technology to connect participants to educational resources, addressing technology access gaps in low-income areas. Pera's involvement extends to direct incentives for educational achievement, such as donating his personal floor seats adjacent to the bench for select games to honor high-performing students from local schools. In , he and his -based ownership partners matched a $1 million from Mike Conley to the foundation, doubling the contribution to $2 million and amplifying support for community programs that have collectively invested over $40 million in mentoring and youth preparation efforts. These actions underscore Pera's commitment to leveraging his ownership of the team as a platform for social impact in . During the in 2020, Pera demonstrated responsive by funding the provision of 300,000 meals to the Mid-South Food Bank to combat food insecurity in the region. He also offered the FedEx Forum arena as a potential emergency medical facility and contributed to relief funds for arena workers impacted by the suspension of NBA games, aligning his giving with immediate community needs amid economic disruption. Pera's charitable efforts, while not extensively publicized, reflect a strategic alignment between his business success and personal relocation to Memphis, fostering long-term community resilience through sports-related and technology-enhanced initiatives. Earlier, in , he proposed a high-profile one-on-one challenge against , pledging a $1 million donation to as incentive, highlighting his use of sports for broader philanthropic reach.

Family and interests

Robert Pera maintains a notably low public profile, rarely sharing details about his personal life in interviews or media appearances. This approach extends to his family, where limited information is available. Pera's private nature aligns with his upbringing in a middle-class family in San Carlos, California, where his early interests focused on technology rather than public-facing activities. His passion for basketball dates back to youth, as he played on his high school team until a heart infection curtailed his athletic pursuits. This lifelong interest in the sport later influenced his decision to acquire the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition to , Pera harbors a deep interest in , often blending it with his personal hobbies through innovative pursuits. Following his purchase of in 2012, Pera established stronger ties to for business reasons, while continuing to prioritize a private family life amid his multifaceted residences.

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