Recorded live at Thoma Bravo’s 2025 AI Summit, this episode features a fireside chat between Thoma Bravo Founder and Managing Partner Orlando Bravo and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna. Krishna shares an operator’s view on why AI is unequivocally good for software—boosting developer productivity, expanding entry-level hiring, and unlocking billions in back-office automation that IBM has reinvested into software R&D and growth.
The conversation also explores IBM’s $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat, including the strategic investment in hybrid cloud and OpenShift, how the deal scaled beyond expectations, and why conviction was critical despite initial market skepticism.
Looking ahead, Krishna outlines what’s next for enterprise AI: agents layered on systems of record, smaller purpose-built models, and why companies that scale AI deliberately will pull ahead.
For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedeal
Learn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/
Learn more about IBM: https://www.ibm.com/case-studies/ibm-client-zero?lnk=hpls1us
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Certain statements about Thoma Bravo made by portfolio company executives are intended to illustrate Thoma Bravo's business relationship with such persons rather than Thoma Bravo's capabilities or expertise with respect to investment advisory services. Portfolio company executives were not compensated in connection with their podcast participation, although they generally received compensation and investment opportunities in connection with their portfolio company roles and in certain cases are also owners of portfolio company securities and or investors in Thoma Bravo funds. Such compensation and investments subject podcast participants to potential conflicts of interest. In addition, this podcast includes forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
