The people behind Niva
Niva exists because years of building and deploying AI at the world's largest companies revealed a problem that none of them were solving. The team combines experience across AI engineering at hyperscale, enterprise technology operations with S&P 500 clients, and deep domain expertise in physical science, chemistry, and robotics.
We are building a company where ownership, directness, and intellectual rigor define how we work. The best ideas win regardless of where they come from. As the team grows, that principle scales with it: capable, curious people given the autonomy to do exceptional work on problems that matter.
Todd Peterson
Founder & CEO
Focus: Product vision, technical leadership, strategic partnerships
Background: 30+ years in software engineering, AI/ML engineering, and technical program leadership. Principal AI/ML roles at Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, including leading Azure's early infrastructure scaling to 1M+ servers and bringing 22 computer vision and AI services from Microsoft Research to public launch.
Education: INSEAD; University of Cambridge; UCLA
LinkedInRoss Peterson
Founder & COO
Focus: Operations, commercial execution, organizational scaling
Background: 25+ years in consulting, operations, and risk across life sciences, financial services, manufacturing, and technology. Led AI deployments, governance, and operational excellence with S&P 500 clients including 3M, AMGEN, Ford, Gilead, and Google at Cognizant and Accenture.
Education: UK Defence Academy; University of St. Andrews; Muhlenberg College
LinkedInFrançois Ayoub, PhD
Advisor, Physical Science
Data Scientist IV at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previously Scientist Engineer at Caltech (13 years) and Founder of Imagin'Labs Corporation. 3,870+ citations.
LinkedInAdemola Oridate, PhD
Consultant, Robotic Manufacturing
Robotics researcher at UT Austin focused on novel additive manufacturing techniques. Engineering background combined with business and management consulting experience at multinational firms.
LinkedIn