[citation needed] In 1979, he moved on to start Business Software Corporation, which provided real-time human resources and payroll applications for commercial enterprises.

PeopleSoft grew to be the world's second-largest application software company before being acquired by Oracle in January 2005 for $10.7 billion cash.

[6][7] In March 2005, Duffield and former PeopleSoft vice chair and head of product strategy Aneel Bhusri started Workday, Inc., a company that provides financial management, human capital management, and planning software delivered in the form of a software as a service (SaaS) model.

Headquartered in Incline Village, Nevada, Ridgeline is an industry cloud software platform for investment management.

[citation needed] The early-stage company currently employs approximately 400 people in offices in Incline Village, Reno, New York City, and San Ramon, California.

In 1994, Duffield and his wife Cheryl established Maddie's Fund, to bring change, collaboration, and innovation to the animal welfare industry.

This organization is named after the Duffields’ Miniature Schnauzer who was a "lighthouse during the stormy period" of the couple's work careers.

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation is currently financing the construction and development of Liberty Dogs in Reno, Nevada.

[citation needed] Most recently, DCDF pledged $2 million to Maui Humane for fire relief efforts.