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Arista Networks
Arista Networks, founded in 2004 by Andy Bechtolsheim, is a $100B+ market-cap leader in cloud networking software and hardware, headquartered in Santa...
Arista Networks
Arista Networks was founded in 2004 by Andy Bechtolsheim, a co-founder of Sun Microsystems, along with David Cheriton and Ken Duda. The company went public in 2014 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Arista's operating system, EOS, is a key differentiator, enabling programmable and automated network management. The firm's strategy focuses on the data center, cloud computing, and high-performance computing segments. Arista's product line includes fixed and modular switches, routers, and network software. Key clients include major cloud providers like Microsoft and Meta, as well as financial services firms and large enterprises. The company has expanded into campus networking, driven by acquisitions like Mojo Networks and Big Switch Networks. Baes in Santa Clara, Arista employs over 3,500 people globally, with additional offices in the UK, India, and Singapore. In May 2024, the company reported quarterly revenue of $1.57 billion (per Arista Networks earnings, May 2024). The firm is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker ANET. Arista's structural differentiator is its software-centric approach to networking, using a single binary operating system across its hardware portfolio — a model that allows rapid feature development and consistent management. This architecture has helped Arista capture market share from incumbents like Cisco in the large-scale data center segment.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2004
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Santa Clara
Corporate office
Santa Clara, CA, United States
Principals
Jayshree Ullal
President and CEO
Andy Bechtolsheim
Chief Development Officer and Chairman
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Arista Networks?
Jayshree Ullal has served as President and CEO since 2008. Andy Bechtolsheim is Chief Development Officer and Chairman. Investment decisions are made by the board of directors, which includes Ullal and Bechtolsheim.
How does Arista source proprietary technology?
Arista develops its own operating system software, EOS, and designs its own ASICs for networking switches. The company also acquires startups for technology — for example, Mojo Networks in 2018 for cloud-managed Wi-Fi and Big Switch Networks in 2020 for network monitoring.
Does Arista operate as a family office or a public company?
Arista Networks is a publicly traded corporation on the NYSE. It is not a family office, though it was co-founded by individuals with significant personal wealth.
What investment stages does Arista typically target?
As a public company, Arista raises capital through public markets and invests internally in R&D, sales, and acquisitions. It does not typically make venture-stage investments.
Which sectors does Arista explicitly avoid?
Arista does not explicitly avoid any sectors but primarily focuses on data center and cloud networking, rather than consumer or small-business markets.
How is Arista related to other companies founded by Andy Bechtolsheim?
Bechtolsheim co-founded Sun Microsystems and was an early investor in Google. Arista is a separate entity from those. He serves as Chairman and Chief Development Officer of Arista.
Where does the underlying wealth of the founders come from?
Andy Bechtolsheim amassed wealth from the sale of Sun Microsystems to Oracle in 2010 and early investments in Google. Jayshree Ullal's wealth comes from her equity in Arista Networks.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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