Founding general partner

Vivek Vaidya

Vivek Vaidya, is a serial entrepreneur and tech leader with 25+ years in enterprise software, data, analytics, and AI. Former CTO at Salesforce Marketing Cloud, co-founder of Krux, and CTO at Rapt, Vivek holds MS degrees from IIT Delhi and the University of Denver.

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Vivek speaks at SuperSummit
Vivek Vaidya - Founder at Superset

Professional journey

Vivek Vaidya, Founding General Partner at super{set}, is a seasoned serial entrepreneur and technology leader with over 25 years of experience creating transformative enterprise software solutions in data management, analytics, and AI.

As the author of The Problem Is..., his Substack newsletter, Vivek shares candid insights into startups, leadership, tech, and the art of focusing on the right problems, “Because solving the right problems isn’t obvious...” Problem Is. A recurring theme in Vivek’s writing is the simple yet powerful question: “What problem are you trying to solve?” that cuts through complexity and drives impactful decision-making.

Vivek’s entrepreneurial journey includes serving as CTO of Salesforce Marketing Cloud (after Salesforce acquired Krux, which he co-founded with Tom Chavez), and previously as CTO at Rapt, acquired by Microsoft.

Vivek holds an MS in Mathematics and Computer Applications from IIT Delhi, and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Denver.

Originally from Delhi, Vivek resides in San Francisco. He is the co-author of Data Driven: Harnessing Data and AI to Reinvent Customer Engagement (2018).

Through his newsletter, Vivek guides readers to think sharper, lead with clarity, and apply thoughtful leadership in building lasting ventures.

CTO

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

CTO

Rapt, Acquired by Microsoft

Cofounder

Habu, Acquired by LiveRamp
WHAT's NEW?

News and views from Vivek

Articles, podcasts, blogs and more.

Forbes: Why A Collaborative Approach Trumps "Lone Genius" In Company-Building
Portfolios
In News & Media
2
min read

Forbes: Why A Collaborative Approach Trumps "Lone Genius" In Company-Building

Off the heels of super{set}'s first exit - the acquisition of data collaboration company Habu by LiveRamp for $200 Million - Tom Chavez writes how the super{set} approach to collaboration in company building leads to successful outcomes.
Read more
The Information: The People OpenAI Should Consider for Its New Board
In News & Media
Data & AI
Archive
1
min read

The Information: The People OpenAI Should Consider for Its New Board

Tom Chavez writes in The Information that "OpenAI’s board needs a data ethicist, a philosopher of mind, a neuroscientist, a computer scientist with interdisciplinary expertise and a political strategist."
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Forbes: Why The Biden-Xi Talks Should Put A Microscope On San Francisco
In News & Media
2
min read

Forbes: Why The Biden-Xi Talks Should Put A Microscope On San Francisco

The prettifying and securing of downtown San Francisco, where super{set} is headquartered, should be the norm - not just for special state visits from the world's dictators. Here are 3 things the city of San Francisco should be doing all year round to make the city better to live, work, and invest in. Read Tom Chavez' latest in Forbes.
Read more
Forbes: 5 Startup Studio Misconceptions
In News & Media
Company Building
1
min read

Forbes: 5 Startup Studio Misconceptions

It's still early for the startup studio asset class - and we hear misconceptions about the studio model every day, ranging from the basic confusion of accelerators versus studios to downright incorrect assumptions on our deep commitment to the build-out of every company. Read Tom Chavez' latest in Forbes.
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Tom Chavez in Huffpost Personal for Hispanic Heritage Month
Talent & Culture
In News & Media
1
min read

Tom Chavez in Huffpost Personal for Hispanic Heritage Month

Writing in the Huffington Post: "My Mom Sent Me And My 4 Siblings To Harvard. Here's The 1 Thing I Tell People About Success."
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Tech Crunch: Answering AI’s biggest questions requires an interdisciplinary approach
In News & Media
Data & AI
1
min read

Tech Crunch: Answering AI’s biggest questions requires an interdisciplinary approach

Tom Chavez, writing in TechCrunch, calls for new approaches to the problems of Ethical AI: "We have to build a more responsible future where companies are trusted stewards of people’s data and where AI-driven innovation is synonymous with good. In the past, legal teams carried the water on issues like privacy, but the brightest among them recognize they can’t solve problems of ethical data use in the age of AI by themselves."
Read more
Navigating the Startup Journey from Launch to Finish Line
Company Building
5
min read

Navigating the Startup Journey from Launch to Finish Line

Are you a launcher, or a finisher? The balance of conviction, a guiding vision, and the right team to execute it all make the difference between entrepreneurial success and failure. Tom Chavez delves into his journey as a first-time CEO and the invaluable guidance he received from a key mentor.
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From Chords, to Code, to Chords Again: The Story Behind Boombox.io
Portfolios
5
min read

From Chords, to Code, to Chords Again: The Story Behind Boombox.io

super{set} founding general partner Tom Chavez wasn’t always set on a life of engineering and entrepreneurship – music was his first love. For a time, he was determined to make a career out of it. With boombox.io, Tom has combined the best of both worlds into a product that inspires and delights both the engineer and the musician.
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The Information: "TikTok Is Not the Enemy"
In News & Media
1
min read

The Information: "TikTok Is Not the Enemy"

Tom writes a nuanced take on the TikTok controversy and outlines ethical data principles that will restore people’s sense of trust and offer them true control over how and when they grant permission for use of their data.
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Diamonds in the Rough
Talent & Culture
Archive
7
min read

Diamonds in the Rough

Obsessive intensity. Pack animal nature. Homegrown hero vibes. Unyielding grit. A chip on the shoulder. That's who we look for to join exceptional teams.
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Q&A with Accel Founder Arthur Patterson
Investing
Company Building
Archive
3
min read

Q&A with Accel Founder Arthur Patterson

Arthur Patterson, founder of venture capital firm Accel, sits down for a fireside chat with super{set} founding partner Tom Chavez as part of our biweekly super{set} Community Call. Arthur and Tom cover venture investing, company-building, and even some personal stories from their history together.
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The Era of Easy $ Is Over
Product & Tech
Archive
7
min read

The Era of Easy $ Is Over

The era of easy money - or at least, easy returns for VCs - is over. Tom Chavez is calling for VCs to show up in-person at August board meetings, get off the sidelines, and start adding real value and hands-on support for founders.
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Too Dumb to Quit
Talent & Culture
Archive
7
min read

Too Dumb to Quit

The decision to start a company – or to join an early stage one – is an act of the gut. On good days, I see it as a quasi-spiritual commitment. On bad days, I see it as sheer irrationality. Whichever it is, you’ll be happier if you acknowledge and calmly accept the lunacy of it all...
Read more
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Connect with Vivek

Let’s connect if you're a passionate cofounder.

Email

Send a short  email and we’ll be in touch with next steps.

vivek@superset.com

Newsletter

Want to creatively solve the right problems? It’s never about the how. Always the what.

www.problem-is.com

Office

Downtown San Francisco with monthly open houses — see our events at lu.ma.

140 New Montgomery Street, Suite 400,
San Francisco, CA 94105

The problem is…

As a startup leader, I believe success comes from defining—and solving—the right problems, not just any problem.

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