super{set} is a company builder specializing in data and AI-native software companies, meaning they focus on businesses built from the ground up around data and artificial intelligence. Pulse 2.0 interviewed super{set} founding general partner, Tom Chavez to gain a deeper understanding of how they operate.
Tom Chavez’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Chavez said:
“I’m a serial entrepreneur and the Founding General Partner of super{set}. Over the last two decades, I’ve founded and sold three companies—Rapt (acquired by Microsoft), Krux (acquired by Salesforce)—and in 2024 we sold Habu to LiveRamp, a super{set} founded company. I hold a Ph.D. in applied math from Stanford, but my tech journey started much earlier, when I was an intern programming at the Air Force base near my childhood home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
Formation Of super{set}
How did the idea for the company come together? Chavez shared:
“After selling Krux to Salesforce, my co-founder Vivek Vaidya and I kept getting asked, ‘How do you start great companies?’ We realized there was a need for a new kind of venture model—one that builds companies from scratch with hands-on operators, not just capital. That became the foundation of super{set}: a new kind of company building model where we conceive, fund, and build software companies, working shoulder to shoulder with co-founders and talented, passionate teams.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for super{set} so far? Chavez reflected:
“My favorite moments are in the trenches—whiteboarding ideas, iterating on product strategy, and helping a founder make the tough decisions such as taking a new direction that unlocks real traction. It’s not glamorous, but the magic happens in those moments when a team goes from stuck to surging. Those moments become memorable after the fact, when the dust settles and you start to see a clear path to that repeatable sales cycle and market traction. It’s a beautiful thing and also because it’s shared with everyone on the team working towards that shared goal.”
Core Offerings
What are the super{set}’s core offerings? Chavez explained:
“super{set} builds companies so by its very definition, it is not a traditional product company. Our ‘product’ is repeatable company formation: we form new ideas, pair that with world-class founders, build the initial product and determine the insertion point, with capital and then scale. We then co-operate with the founding team, guiding along that zero-to-one journey. We’ve launched many companies at super{set} since inception and are very proud of one such company, Habu that was acquired by LiveRamp in 2024. Others in our portfolio are at varying stages of growth including Ketch, Checksum.ai, Boombox.io, and Headlamp Health where we use the same company building approach and process.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Chavez acknowledged:
“AI tech advancement is moving at breakneck speed, which creates both opportunity and pressure. One challenge is ensuring that teams don’t just tack on AI as a feature, but truly reimagine their products around it. That means truly understanding the problem set, the actual users and their day-to-day workflow, plus how they operate and rely on existing solutions today. At super{set}, we believe that when we stand in our customer’s pain, we move at higher velocity and build for lasting impact.”
“We help founders stay grounded by focusing on problem-first design and real-world use cases rather than just hype. We also build solutions to last and endure. That requires sound vision and a level of forward thinking you only get by working closely with customers and partners to deeply understand how to advance the capabilities.”
Evolution Of super{set}’s Technology
How has super{set}’s technology evolved since launching? Chavez noted:
“We don’t build one platform; we help multiple startups build theirs. But across the portfolio, the biggest evolution has been the shift to AI-native architecture. It’s no longer enough to have AI as a bolt-on—you have to think about intelligent systems from the ground up. With AI capabilities at the fingertips of every business function, the velocity of company building has advanced significantly and it’s now changing by the week.”
“Let’s take one business function alone such as software engineering and development. Today ~90% of code is produced by AI with tools like Cursor or Co-pilot and for that reason you can significantly advance product feature development. However, you still need seasoned architects and product builders to make key decisions on the overall direction, architecture and making sure it addresses customers’ pains, in a unique, compelling way. Privacy, security, scale and all the important aspects of software solutions need to be engineered, especially when your customers are large public entities.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of super{set}’s most significant milestones? Chavez cited:
“One big milestone was the acquisition of Habu, by LiveRamp for $200 million—it was a significant proof point for the super{set} model. Since that time, we raised a $90 million fund II, moved into a new HQ in San Francisco, and brought on two additional general partners – Omar Tawakol, currently CEO, Rembrand and Peter Day, formerly CPTO, Quantcast. We continue to grow and scale with our existing portfolio, and we typically form two new companies each year, always sharpening our focus on building AI-native companies that make a difference.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates super{set} from its competition? Chavez affirmed:
“Unlike traditional VCs, we don’t just write checks—we build companies. We’re founders first, working side by side with our portfolio teams from day one. We also emphasize founder wellness and sustainable pace. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a business risk. We operate a people-first culture and it’s always people, customers, products, in that order.”
Future Goals
What are some of super{set}’s future goals? Chavez emphasized:
“We want to be the most effective AI and Data-native startup company builder in the world. That means continuing to launch companies that address distinct business problems, staying ahead of where AI technologies are advancing, and helping founders thrive—not just survive—the entrepreneurial journey.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Chavez concluded:
“I’d love to touch on the human side of building companies. At super{set}, we obsess over founder wellness—sleep, nutrition, mental health—because we believe thriving founders build better companies. Also, I’m passionate about ensuring AI is used responsibly, with an eye on fairness, transparency, and long-term societal impact.”
