The Founders Behind the Virtual Revolution: Diane Greene & Mendel Rosenblum

How Their Shared Vision, Marriage and Milestones Shaped Modern Computing

Few couples in Silicon Valley have shaped the tech landscape as profoundly as Diane Greene and Mendel Rosenblum. Best known as the co-founders of VMware, their partnership - both personal and professional - stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, intellectual curiosity and unwavering perseverance. Their story spans from their early individual pursuits to a marriage built on mutual respect, culminating in a transformative impact on the world of virtualization, cloud computing and beyond.

1. Where It All Began: Early Passions & Parallel Paths

Long before they met, Diane and Mendel were already carving out impressive paths in academia and industry:

• Diane Greene

  • Grew up sailing near Annapolis, Maryland and developed an early fascination with problem-solving and design.

  • Earned a master’s degree in Naval Architecture from MIT - a unique stepping stone into engineering.

  • Transitioned into computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, where she combined analytical thinking with her passion for innovation.

• Mendel Rosenblum

  • Showed a keen interest in computer systems and operating systems early on, completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia.

  • Went on to pursue his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, focusing on core aspects of system software that would pave the way for breakthroughs in virtualization.

Though each possessed distinct specialties - Diane with her knack for leadership and product vision, Mendel with his deep technical expertise - their intellectual curiosities seemed destined to intersect.

Diane Greene and Mendel Rosenblum - on Founders Couple (Image by The New York Times)

2. A Meeting of Minds (and Hearts)

UC Berkeley is the fabled backdrop for many visionary partnerships and it was here that Diane and Mendel first crossed paths. They discovered kindred spirits in one another: people who thrived on tackling tough computational challenges and weren’t afraid to push the boundaries of established thinking.

Friendship turned into a deeper bond and eventually, they decided to marry. From day one, their synergy was evident - while they each excelled in different domains, they shared a profound respect for each other’s strengths. This mutual admiration laid the foundation for a marriage that would soon extend beyond personal life, fueling one of the most influential enterprises in tech history.

Diane Greene & Mendel Rosenblum - on Founders Couple

3. The Genesis of VMware: Bold Visions & Big Risks