Chet Kapoor, the chairman and CEO of DataStax, had a childhood dream of working for tech mogul Steve Jobs. This dream became a reality when he was hired as an intern at NeXT, a software company founded by Jobs. Despite starting out in a humble role, Kapoor worked in close proximity to Jobs and credits a lot of his success to the experience gained in those early days. He went on to hold leadership positions at companies like Google and IBM, but it was his time at NeXT that really shaped his career.
Kapoor found inspiration to work for Jobs after reading a book about Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak at the age of 15 or 16. He started taking computer classes and ultimately landed at Arizona State University in 1986. When Jobs left Apple and founded NeXT in 1985, Kapoor saw his chance to fulfill his dream. Through a program called Campus Consultants, Kapoor was given the opportunity to join NeXT as an intern in 1988 after graduating from college. This was the start of his journey working closely with Jobs.
At NeXT, Kapoor experienced a product and design-centric environment created by Jobs. The focus on user experience and engineering excellence was emphasized, similar to Apple’s culture under Jobs’ leadership. Jobs believed in starting with a great product and working with talented people to bring it to life. Kapoor noted the rigorous schedule and strong engineering culture that Jobs instilled at NeXT, highlighting the importance of attention to detail and determination in creating successful products.
Kapoor’s time at NeXT allowed him to observe Jobs closely and learn from his leadership style. By focusing on the questions Jobs would ask in meetings, Kapoor gained insight into Jobs’ thought process and decision-making. This exposure to Jobs’ way of thinking played a significant role in shaping Kapoor’s approach to leadership and strategy in his subsequent roles. He attributes a large portion of his success to the lessons learned during his early days at NeXT and the experience of working with an iconic figure like Steve Jobs.
After NeXT, Kapoor went on to have a successful career in Silicon Valley, leading companies like Apigee, which was acquired by Google in a significant deal. He also held leadership positions at Google and IBM, leveraging the skills and insights gained from his time working with Jobs. Kapoor’s journey from a humble intern to a seasoned CEO of DataStax is a testament to the impact of early mentorship and hands-on experience under a visionary leader like Steve Jobs on shaping an individual’s career trajectory in the tech industry.
Overall, Chet Kapoor’s story highlights the transformative power of early mentorship and hands-on experience under an iconic figure like Steve Jobs. His dedication to learning from Jobs and applying those lessons throughout his career in Silicon Valley showcases the lasting impact of working closely with visionary leaders. From starting out as an intern to becoming the CEO of a generative AI company, Kapoor’s journey reflects the enduring influence of mentors and experiences gained in the formative years of one’s career.
