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Billionaire Profile
James Scapa
Global Rank
#2280

Image: James Allan  | CC BY-SA 2.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

James Scapa

CEO, Software
UNITED STATES
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.733B
Estimated based on Software stock value as of March 6, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
69
Source
Software
Industry
Technology
Citizenship
UNITED STATES

Biography

James Scapa is a prominent figure in the technology sector, best known as the co-founder of Altair Engineering. As of December 2025, his net worth is estimated at $1.3 billion. Scapa built his wealth through his leadership in software and engineering services. His career began after leaving a position as a computer engineering consultant for General Motors in 1985. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He is known for contributions in simulation and AI technology. He has been the CEO of Altair since its founding, taking the company public in 2017. His philanthropic efforts focus on education and technology access.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 3/6/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life and Education

James Scapa was born in 1961. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. This educational foundation provided a strong base for his entrepreneurial pursuits in the technology sector.

Rise to Success

In 1985, James Scapa co-founded Altair Engineering, leaving his previous job as a computer engineering consultant at General Motors. Under his leadership, Altair has grown into a global company, providing software and cloud solutions in product development, high-performance computing (HPC), and data analytics. He has served as the CEO since its inception and took the company public in 2017.

Key Business Strategies

Scapa's leadership at Altair has focused on innovation in simulation and AI technologies. He has steered the company to expand its global presence, serving over 16,000 customers and employing over 3,000 people across 79 offices in 28 countries. A key strategy has been fostering an entrepreneurial mindset within the company to adapt and learn, ensuring a competitive edge and low employee turnover.

Philanthropy

James Scapa, along with his wife Sally, supports philanthropic causes. They endowed the James and Sally Scapa Professorship of Innovation and Fellowship of Innovation at Columbia Engineering in 2018. The Scapa Professorship aims to recruit and retain outstanding faculty who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Career Milestones

1985

Co-founded Altair Engineering

Started the company with two coworkers, and served as CEO.

2017

Took Altair Public

Led Altair Engineering through its initial public offering.

2025

Altair was acquired by Siemens

Marking a major milestone in the company's journey, followed by co-founding Escape Investment Management

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

James and Sally Scapa Professorship of Innovation

Unknown

Endowed at Columbia Engineering to recruit or retain outstanding faculty.

Education

James and Sally Scapa Fellowship of Innovation

Unknown

Supports a graduate student studying under the Scapa Professor

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

""I have a sense of the opportunity being so large. Math and algorithms are going to drive all the decisions of the future, so I think we were sort of a rocket sitting on the launching pad.""

Leadership Principles

Embrace Change

Change is seen as an opportunity to adapt and learn within the corporate structure.

Foster Innovation

Prioritizes creativity and inventiveness not only on the product design side but also within the corporate structure.

Active Listening

Listening to people and actively hearing their ideas.

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