Ed Oates

High Continental Public Record

Editorial estimate, not verified fact — Disclaimer

Co-founder of Oracle Corporation

Data Confidence: 78% · Sources: 3 · Last Updated: Sep 18, 2026

Net Worth ▲: Estimated $100M – $500M
Reach ▲: 1.0B people
Power ▲: In 1977, Oates co-founded Software Development Laboratories (later Oracle Corporation) with Larry Ellison and Bob Miner, investing initial seed capital and directing early database software engineering projects.
Influence ▲: He helped translate Edgar F. Codd's relational database theories into Oracle's initial commercial releases, building enterprise software technology that eventually expanded into global cloud infrastructure.
Network ▲: Maintains deep Silicon Valley ties stemming from his leadership at Oracle, close historic association with Larry Ellison, and board positions at San Jose State University and the San Francisco Zoological Society.
Legacy ▲: As one of three original co-founders of Oracle Corporation, Oates helped start a technology enterprise that grew into an international software giant powering database infrastructure worldwide.
Trajectory ▲: Stable — first assessment on record.

About

Edward A. Oates is an American computer programmer and entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of Oracle Corporation. In August 1977, Oates co-founded Software Development Laboratories alongside Larry Ellison and Bob Miner, laying the engineering groundwork for what became Oracle's flagship relational database system. Prior to founding Oracle, Oates worked at Singer, Memorex, and Ampex Corporation, where he supervised Ellison. After retiring from Oracle in 1996, Oates owned the high-end audio retailer Audible Difference and currently serves on advisory and philanthropic boards, including San Jose State University's Tower Foundation.