{"id":"vibhu-norby","hidden":false,"ipfs":"QmXprRPzpmkJxHy5JiCj55ATeUk8R17X8iLzp2NzyDm4JM","language":"en","transactionHash":"0xcace045518eb7a84eb60d62cb1345e973fecd044d4b907f185360fe99270c34a","created":"2026-10-06T16:30:32.378Z","updated":"2026-10-06T16:38:16.635Z","title":"Vibhu Norby","summary":"Vibhu Norby is a technology entrepreneur and product executive who serves as Chief Product Officer of the Solana Foundation and previously founded the retail technology company b8ta and Solana-based collectibles platform Drip Labs.","content":"**Vibhu Norby** is a technology entrepreneur and product executive with a background in software engineering, consumer technology, retail, and [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets). He is Chief Product Officer of the [Solana Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) and previously founded and led Drip Labs and b8ta, and held engineering roles at Google, Nest Labs, and MySpace. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-ZBcVqJKtcZ28DDTz) \n\n## Career\n\nNorby began his career as a Software Engineer at Roblox before joining Threadbox, where he worked as a Senior Software Engineer until the company was acquired by MySpace. He then became Lead Engineer, Messaging at MySpace, then founded Origami Labs, where he served as Chief Technology Officer. Nest later acquired Origami Labs, where Norby became a Lead Engineer before moving to Google in the same role. In 2015, Norby founded b8ta, a retail technology company focused on providing physical retail space and technology for brands. He served as its Chief Executive Officer while the company developed its retail-as-a-service platform and worked with retailers and consumer brands, including Macy’s and Toys“R”Us. During this period, he also served as a Trustee of Hampshire College. Norby founded Drip Labs in 2022, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and developed a [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) collectibles application built on [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana). [Jupiter Exchange](https://iq.wiki/wiki/jupiter) later acquired Drip Labs. In June 2025, Norby became Chief Product Officer of the [Solana Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana), where he focuses on product development within the [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) ecosystem. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-7u911wytog)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-fh0ohknxu4) \n\n## Interviews\n\n### Eating Capital Markets\n\nIn a September 2026 interview on the SolanaFloor podcast, Norby discussed [Solana’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) market activity, [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi), [tokenization](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenization), and the ecosystem’s development. He said [Solana’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) onchain activity and token creation had reached new highs, and he expected market volatility to continue around major IPOs before capital potentially returned to [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency). Norby highlighted [Solana’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) global developer community, [DEX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/decentralized-exchange) activity, and infrastructure, and identified [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) and vaults as areas supporting continued [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) growth. He also discussed meme stocks and tokenized equities as experiments in distribution and ownership, while arguing that fairer token launches could reduce the advantages of sophisticated traders and describing decentralized networks as relatively resilient to political changes. Norby expected strong growth in tokenized [real-world assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/real-world-assets-rwas) and discussed [Solana’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) partnership with the World Series of Poker, which had generated $23 million in [stablecoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) buy-ins, as an example of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based payments reaching mainstream activities. Looking ahead to [Breakpoint](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana-breakpoint), he described [tokenization](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenization) as a major theme and outlined a potential ecosystem flywheel connecting token issuers, investors, and user-facing applications, with tokenized equities serving as a potential catalyst for further adoption.  [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-bpkgyks0le) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](0ic7Bu8NtRk)\n\n### Solana Foundation\n\nIn a March 2026 interview on 11am w/ Seed Club, Norby discussed the [Solana Foundation’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) approach to media, product development, distribution, and developer support. He explained that an initial token-related project began as a way to use timely news coverage to introduce broader audiences to [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency), with a token-neutral asset designed to connect readers without directing trading activity toward a particular token or taking order flow. Norby acknowledged that the original announcement had not clearly communicated the media strategy and described his broader focus on building distribution channels that could introduce new users to [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana)-based assets. He also discussed the [Foundation’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) efforts to move more quickly on product ideas by testing tools directly, while emphasizing that new products would need to succeed independently rather than compete with existing ecosystem projects. Norby said much of the [Foundation’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) upcoming work would focus on distribution and AI enablement, including APIs for builders and enterprise tools for banks and traditional financial institutions exploring [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana), with audience growth serving as a key measure of the early product’s success.  [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-gwpagpd8fe) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](CDMr_hpselw)\n\n### Distribution is Product\n\nIn a February 2026 interview on The Index Podcast, Norby discussed his background as a technology entrepreneur and engineer, his work on [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) projects, and his role at the [Solana Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) across marketing and product. He described his interest in [Solana’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) potential to influence broader technological and social systems and discussed how his unfiltered online presence had led to unexpected conversations and connections, including with members of the [XRP](https://iq.wiki/wiki/xrp) community. Norby argued that founders should consider distribution and target users before building a product, emphasizing that access to users can matter more than product polish and that teams should avoid adding features simply because new technology makes them easier to build. He encouraged founders to test assumptions directly with users, build in public, and personally handle early marketing and feedback before delegating those responsibilities, using examples such as Slack to show how companies can change direction when initial assumptions prove incorrect. Norby also discussed competition facing [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) in areas including perpetual trading, [memecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memecoins), [real-world assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/real-world-assets-rwas), and payments, and outlined priorities for 2026 that included improving the tradability of assets across different financial markets, expanding payments and privacy infrastructure, increasing regional adoption, and supporting applications involving agentic commerce and other emerging uses of the network. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-m94ysvtw4v) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](aqwBHo2FtfQ)\n","recentActivity":null,"operator":{"id":"0x1E23b34d3106F0C1c74D17f2Cd0F65cdb039b138"},"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"People in crypto"}],"tags":[{"id":"Advisor"},{"id":"Developer"},{"id":"Founder"},{"id":"Investor"},{"id":"Speaker"}],"images":[{"id":"Qmf1yK7kBtCQxEecMY1DNuzAVJaUoTawMsDpcoPUgz1WJC","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"media":[{"name":"0ic7Bu8NtRk","id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ic7Bu8NtRk","size":null,"type":null,"source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"CDMr_hpselw","id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDMr_hpselw","size":null,"type":null,"source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"aqwBHo2FtfQ","id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqwBHo2FtfQ","size":null,"type":null,"source":"YOUTUBE"}],"linkedWikis":{"founders":[],"blockchains":["solana"],"speakers":[]},"events":[{"title":"Joined Roblox as Software Engineer","date":"2009-08-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby began his career as a Software Engineer at Roblox.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"ffa7dbfa-45c3-4109-8cf1-9f2d7d057c32"},{"title":"Joined Threadbox as Senior Software Engineer","date":"2010-02-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby became a Senior Software Engineer at Threadbox, later acquired by MySpace.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"7b01f7c9-378c-4b01-b4ff-d1e329fac308"},{"title":"Became Lead Engineer, Messaging at MySpace","date":"2010-07-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby joined MySpace as Lead Engineer for Messaging after Threadbox was acquired.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"7929c3b7-9401-437e-aada-130e47d65088"},{"title":"Founded Origami Labs","date":"2011-07-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby founded Origami Labs, serving as Chief Technology Officer.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"84d523d7-87cb-4569-ac99-4af111d35cfb"},{"title":"Origami Labs acquired by Nest Labs","date":"2013-09-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Origami Labs was acquired by Nest Labs, where Norby became a Lead Engineer.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"a8b9feb0-4a48-434e-8715-cc2b9c106bb1"},{"title":"Joined Nest Labs as Lead Engineer","date":"2013-09-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby joined Nest Labs as a Lead Engineer following its acquisition of Origami Labs.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"10740d8b-8f4c-4106-aa76-07f550d74311"},{"title":"Nest Labs acquired by Google","date":"2014-02-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Nest Labs was acquired by Google; Norby continued as Lead Engineer at Google.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"6d0c992e-58ac-4a71-88aa-e3362fdfb1bd"},{"title":"Joined Google as Lead Engineer","date":"2014-02-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby became a Lead Engineer at Google after the acquisition of Nest Labs.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"1a2af7d1-b9a3-480d-b234-8ba6ffbf111a"},{"title":"Founded b8ta","date":"2015-03-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby founded b8ta, a retail technology company focused on retail-as-a-service.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"b30febc7-ded4-45ec-b745-0a969f42c79a"},{"title":"Joined Hampshire College Board of Trustees","date":"2021-07-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby joined the Board of Trustees of Hampshire College.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"ee7734a0-0f93-4b8d-9c93-0a11349c0b57"},{"title":"Founded Drip Labs","date":"2022-01-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby founded Drip Labs, a crypto collectibles application built on Solana.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"85800765-184f-4691-9af2-29f5fbbc5a48"},{"title":"Appointed Chief Product Officer at Solana Foundation","date":"2025-06-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Norby became Chief Product Officer of the Solana Foundation.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"Switzerland","continent":"Europe","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"408b10fd-0c01-48ab-8a63-d162144ba7ef"},{"title":"Drip Labs acquired by Jupiter Exchange","date":"2025-07-01","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Drip Labs was acquired by Jupiter Exchange while Norby was CEO.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/","country":"United States","continent":"North America","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"id":"835e2aff-0df7-4e6d-91b7-689880f54b5c"}],"founderWikis":[],"blockchainWikis":[{"id":"solana","title":"Solana"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"7u911wytog\",\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn current role at Solana Foundation\",\"timestamp\":1791292101933},{\"id\":\"fh0ohknxu4\",\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/details/experience/\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn experience b8ta and Drip Labs\",\"timestamp\":1791292101933},{\"id\":\"m94ysvtw4v\",\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqwBHo2FtfQ\",\"description\":\"The Index Podcast role at Solana Foundation\",\"timestamp\":1791292101933},{\"id\":\"gwpagpd8fe\",\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDMr_hpselw\",\"description\":\"Seed Club interview distribution focus\",\"timestamp\":1791292101933},{\"id\":\"bpkgyks0le\",\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ic7Bu8NtRk\",\"description\":\"SolanaFloor interview poker partnership figure\",\"timestamp\":1791292101933},{\"id\":\"nx0t2ycqsc\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/vibhu\",\"description\":\"X Breakpoint promotion tweets\",\"timestamp\":1791292101933},{\"id\":\"ZBcVqJKtcZ28DDTz\",\"description\":\"Solana Foundation\",\"timestamp\":1791292491595,\"url\":\"https://solana.org/\"}]"},{"id":"main-image-origin","value":"{\"imageId\":\"Qmf1yK7kBtCQxEecMY1DNuzAVJaUoTawMsDpcoPUgz1WJC\",\"originalId\":\"Qmf1yK7kBtCQxEecMY1DNuzAVJaUoTawMsDpcoPUgz1WJC\"}"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/vibhu"},{"id":"github_profile","value":"https://github.com/vnorby"},{"id":"medium_profile","value":"https://medium.com/@vibhu"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhunorby/"},{"id":"website","value":"https://solana.org/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmXprRPzpmkJxHy5JiCj55ATeUk8R17X8iLzp2NzyDm4JM"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"Update Vibhu Norby summary and timeline"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmXprRPzpmkJxHy5JiCj55ATeUk8R17X8iLzp2NzyDm4JM"}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x1E23b34d3106F0C1c74D17f2Cd0F65cdb039b138"},"views":30}