# Tony Aquila

> Tony Aquila is an American entrepreneur and investor who founded automotive software company Solera in 2005 and led it until 2019. He is founder, chairman and CEO of AFV Partners and was executive chairman and CEO of electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo before its January 2025 liquidation.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at AFV Partners
- **Organizations:** AFV Partners, Solera Holdings (founder and former CEO), Canoo (former executive chairman and CEO), MaxMeyer America, Ensera, Mitchell International (former president and COO), WM Technology (former director), The Lost Explorer Mezcal (investor)
- **From:** Richmond, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Known for:** Founded and led Solera through its 2007 IPO and 2016 take-private transaction., Led more than 50 Solera acquisitions during his tenure., National EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 Technology Award winner.

## Career timeline

- **1997** — MaxMeyer America sold to PPG Industries.
- **2001** — Ensera sold to Mitchell International; Aquila became president and COO at Mitchell.
- **2005** — Founded Solera.
- **2006** — Solera and GTCR acquired ADP’s Claims Services Group for $975 million in cash.
- **2007** — Solera completed its NYSE initial public offering.
- **2013** — Received the national EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Technology Award.
- **2016** — Solera taken private in a $6.5 billion transaction led by Vista Equity Partners.
- **2019** — Left Solera; founded AFV Partners in June.
- **2020** — Became executive chairman of Canoo in October.
- **2021** — Added the Canoo CEO role in April.
- **2025** — Canoo entered Chapter 7 liquidation in January; court approved asset sale to Aquila-controlled WHS Energy Solutions in April; WM Technology board resignation effective September 2.

## Achievements

- Founded and led Solera through its 2007 IPO and 2016 take-private transaction.
- Led more than 50 Solera acquisitions during his tenure.
- National EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 Technology Award winner.
- Built and sold MaxMeyer America and Ensera.
- AFV’s published biography credits him with more than 100 patents across automotive systems, cybersecurity and aeronautics.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Bloomberg Law reported a proposed $20 million settlement in Canoo investor litigation involving former executives, with preliminary court approval being sought; the report also referenced allegations involving Aquila.
- **2025-12** — NASA and USPS had stopped using Canoo vehicles, according to statements reported by TechCrunch.
- **2025-09** — Resignation from WM Technology’s board and all committees became effective September 2.
- **2025-04** — Bankruptcy court approved sale of substantially all Canoo assets to WHS Energy Solutions, an Aquila-controlled entity, for approximately $4 million in cash.
- **2025-01** — Canoo filed for Chapter 7 liquidation and ceased operations on January 17.

## Links

- Website: https://www.afvpartners.com/tony_aquila.html
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyaquila
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/TonyAquila8020
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaquila8020/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tony-aquila
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14