When the economy tanked this fall, Rob DeSantis's phone began ringing. Suddenly friends, family, and neighbors were begging him for financial help. It's not hard to see why. DeSantis is ultrawealthy, having co-founded Ariba, a dot-com-era startup that pioneered online purchasing for large companies. In one week in October alone, DeSantis says, the requests totaled half a million dollars. In December came another $1.5 million in pleas.rnThe cries for help moved him profoundly. "My first thought when they call is, 'Oh no, not you, too,' and it makes me want to help," says DeSantis, who is working on a book and looking at deals in green technology. "They want to keep their house, their company, whatever. It pulls on your heartstrings."
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