Behdad Eghbali
Iranian–American businessman (born 1976)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Behdad Eghbali (Persian: بهداد اقبالی; born May 6, 1976) is an Iranian–American billionaire businessman and co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital investment firm. As of May 2026, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$3.9 billion.[1] Eghbali was first included in the Forbes 400 and Forbes Billionaires lists in 2021.[2]
Behdad Eghbali | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 6, 1976 Iran |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BS) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | Co-founder and managing partner, Clearlake Capital |
| Spouse | Julia Harris |
Early life
Eghbali was born in Iran and moved to the United States with his family when he was a child.[1]
He graduated from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.[1][3]
Career
Eghbali began his career in investment banking in the technology group at Morgan Stanley and later joined San Francisco-based private equity firm TPG Capital, where he focused on buyouts and turnarounds.[4]
In 2006, Eghbali and José E. Feliciano co-founded Clearlake Capital, described by Financial Times in 2022 as "one of the fastest-growing buyout firms in the world".[5]
In May 2022, a consortium of investors co-led by Clearlake acquired Chelsea Football Club for GB£2,300,000,000 (equivalent to £2,610,600,794 in 2025).[6] After the deal, Clearlake owned about 60% of the club.[7] Among consortium members, Eghbali is considered among the most visible owners.[8][9]
Eghbali is on the boards of several Clearlake portfolio companies, including Chelsea Football Club, Confluence, Constant Contact, Cornerstone OnDemand, DigiCert, Diligent, EagleView, Ivanti, Newfold Digital, Perforce, and Quest.[10][11]
In May 2025, Eghbali and his partner José E. Feliciano launched Clearlake Credit from previous acquisitions of MV Credit Partners and WhiteStar Asset Management.[12]
In November 2025, Eghbali and Feliciano’s Clearlake acquired Pathway Capital Management, which established Clearlake as one of the largest private equity firms by assets.[13] In 2025, Eghbali and the firm have reported directing over 400 investments and US$90 billion in assets under management.[14]
Personal life
Eghbali is married to Julia Harris,[15] and lives in Los Angeles, California.[1] He is on the boards of nonprofits, including his family's Noor Foundation.[4]
In 2024, Eghbali paid GB£56 million for a penthouse in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair district.[16][17]