Tom Chavez

Tom Chavez, Founding General Partner at super{set}, is a serial entrepreneur who has spent the past two decades applying data science, decision theory, and AI to tackle complex, meaningful business problems.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, Tom was inspired early on by his parents’ work at Sandia National Laboratories. They saw scientists doing interesting things with computers in the 70's and 80's, told their kids all about it over the dinner table, and nudged Tom to take an introduction to computer science class during the summer after 7th grade. He holds a B.A. in Computer Science and Philosophy from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Engineering‑Economic Systems & Operations Research from Stanford, where he was a NASA Doctoral Fellow.

Before launching super{set}, he built and led two successful startups: Rapt (acquired by Microsoft in 2008) and Krux (acquired by Salesforce in 2016). His ventures have generated a 17.5× return for investors and created significant wealth for employees.

At super{set}, Tom brings an entrepreneurial philosophy founded on five core principles: a kick-ass team committed to the mission; proprietary technology (what Tom likes to call the “flux capacitor,”); a large, growing market; a clear “why now” timing thesis; and the alignment of all these elements at the same time. He emphasizes that successful CEOs need to excel in four key “C’s”: Conception, Communication, Coordination, and Course‑Correction—sustained by self‑care, relentless curiosity, and hard work.

Tom’s leadership isn’t just about building companies—it’s about crafting ecosystems in which entrepreneurial talent flourishes. He believes that free, fair markets, personal liberty, and opportunities for all are the necessary soil conditions for innovation.

Outside of work, Tom supports various nonprofit projects in immigration, entrepreneurship, and democracy. He also likes to compose and play music, attend live performances, and share ideas through his newsletter.