Gabrielle Tao, a former SVP at Salesforce, has launched Tovix AI, an AI governance startup focused on testing and monitoring tools. She credits AI advancements, particularly Claude, for lowering entrepreneurial barriers and enabling smaller teams to compete with larger corporations.
The story highlights how advancements in AI are empowering individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to launch new ventures and challenge established market players.
Gabrielle Tao, after over two decades in the tech industry, including a senior vice president role at Salesforce, has launched her own AI governance startup named Tovix AI. Tao, who is in her 50s, stated that advancements in artificial intelligence have significantly changed her perspective on entrepreneurship, making it feel like a viable option after years of self-doubt. She believes AI has lowered the barriers to entry for tech entrepreneurs, enabling smaller teams to develop products and compete with larger corporations more effectively. Tao prepared for this career shift by meticulously planning her finances, supporting her parents, and reducing personal expenses after her husband retired. She also found value in her extensive corporate experience, which provided her with a deep understanding of business operations and valuable professional relationships. Tao's startup, Tovix AI, which focuses on AI testing and monitoring tools, has been operational for two months and is already generating revenue from a small customer base. She specifically highlighted the utility of the AI tool Claude, which she uses for research, development, product building, testing, and code deployment, likening it to having an integrated team of an architect, engineer, and product manager.