Crossing the Chasm: From Technology to Valuable Enterprise

One of the advantages of being an independent consultant is that I get to choose who I work with and what type of projects I accept. In fact, that is why I originally started blogging, to get exposure to a wide range of topics and brand myself as a strategic semiconductor business development professional. Now rather than wasting time looking for projects they come looking for me.

Some of the more interesting projects that have come my way are to help emerging companies with their foundry relationships. The larger EDA/IP and fabless companies have teams of people doing this but since I work with multiple companies at a time I get pretty good access as well. And let’s face it, that’s one of the reasons why I blog, speak at conferences, founded SemiWiki, and publish books. It’s all about getting access to the entire fabless semiconductor ecosystem from top to bottom, absolutely.

One of the more interesting projects was with Berkeley Design Automation working for Ravi Subramanian. Ravi and I spent quite a bit of time together in Silicon Valley and Hsinchu. He is one of the most inspirational CEOs I have ever worked with without a doubt. The results of our efforts included hyper revenue growth, TSMC becoming an AFS customer, a TSMC Customer Choice Award, a TSMC OIP Partner of the Year Award, and ultimately the acquisition of BDA by Mentor Graphics. One of my other clients (Tanner EDA) was also just acquired by Mentor Graphics as well so you might see a pattern here…

The reason why I brought this up, other than to brag shamelessly, is that my good friend Ravi Subramanian is being featured in the next “EDAC – Jim Hogan Emerging Companies Series” exploring concepts and best practices for emerging companies. This series was “inspired” by me by the way, since I’m already bragging. This is also a great networking event (100 people are expected). I will be there as will Paul McLellan and it would be a pleasure to meet you. If you have a copy of our book “Fabless: The Transformation of the Semiconductor Industry” we would be happy to sign it. If not I can bring you a copy. Let me know in the comment section.

This installment features a conversation with Ravi Subramanian, former President and CEO of Berkeley Design Automation, on “Crossing the Chasm: From Technology to Valuable Enterprise”.(Berkeley DA was recently acquired by Mentor Graphics Corporation.)

Jim and Ravi will explore his philosophies and experience on building two valuable and successful companies – one fabless semiconductor company and one EDA company.

Ravi Subramanian, General Manager of the Analog Mixed-Signal Business Unit of Mentor Graphics, and former President and CEO, Berkeley Design Automation. Ravi Subramanian is a respected technologist as well as an entrepreneur, with over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor, wireless communications, and electronic design industries. Ravi has been named on the Rutberg & Company’s Wireless Influencers list every year from 2006 to 2014. More information

Jim Hogan, Private Investor, Vista Ventures, LLC. Jim is currently the managing partner of Vista Ventures, LLC. Jim has worked in the semiconductor design and manufacturing industry for more than 40 years gaining experience as a senior executive and board director in electronic design automation, intellectual property, semiconductor equipment, material science and IT companies.

Participants:
Jim Hogan, Managing Partner, Vista Ventures, LLC
Ravi Subramanian, Former President & CEO, Berkeley Design Automation

Date and Time:
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Reception: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Conversation: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Location:
EDA Consortium / SEMI
3081 Zanker Rd.
San Jose, CA 95134
(Map)

Organized By:
Steve Pollock, EDAC Emerging Companies Committee

Registration Host:
Marketing on Demand

Event Host: