Fundraising Fox

Lip-Bu Tan

Investor

Founding Managing Partner at Walden Catalyst · Founding Managing Partner at Celesta Capital · Investor at Walden International

USA

Writes $500K – $20M checks

FoundedCnex LabsCredo Technology Group HoldingKompriseQuantenna CommunicationsSambaNova Systems

About

Lip-Bu Tan, former Cadence CEO and long‑time semiconductor operator-investor, offers chip founders systems‑level expertise from materials through applications and deep operational credibility across the U.S., Taiwan, China and Southeast Asia.

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningBiotechData & InfrastructureDeep TechDefense TechHardwareNew MaterialsRoboticsSemiconductorsSpace Tech

Experience

  1. Intel CorporationChief Executive Officercurrent2025 — present
  2. Walden InternationalChairmancurrent1984 — present
  3. Walden Catalyst VenturesFounding Managing Partnercurrent2020 — present
  4. Celesta CapitalFounding Managing Partnercurrent2021 — present
  5. Schneider Electric Energy & Sustainability ServicesBoard Membercurrent2019 — presentParis Area, France
  6. Carnegie Mellon UniversityMember of the Board of Trusteecurrent2011 — present
  7. Artera.aiChairman of the Boardcurrent2022 — present
  8. Greenstone BiosciencesChairman of the Boardcurrent2022 — present
  9. Rivos Inc.Chairman of the Boardcurrent2021 — present
  10. Green Hills SoftwareBoard membercurrent2019 — present
  11. SambaNovaChairman of the Boardcurrent2025 — present
  12. SambaNovaExecutive Chairman2024 — 2025Palo Alto, California
  13. SambaNovaChairman of the Board2017 — 2024Palo Alto, California, United States
  14. Fuller Theological SeminaryMember of the Board of Trusteecurrent2021 — present
  15. Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMember of the School of Engineering Dean's Advisory Councilcurrent2023 — present
  16. Intel CorporationBoard Member2022 — 2024
  17. Cadence Design SystemsAdvisor2023 — 2024
  18. Cadence Design SystemsExecutive Chairman2021 — 2023
  19. Cadence Design SystemsCEO2008 — 2021
  20. SoftBank GroupBoard Member2020 — 2022

Education

  1. Carnegie Mellon UniversityHonorary Doctor of Science and Technology
  2. University of San FranciscoHonorary Doctor's Degree, Humane Letters
  3. University of San FranciscoMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)1981 — 1983
  4. Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMS, Nuclear Engineering1978 — 1981
  5. Nanyang Technological University SingaporeBachelor of Science (BS), Physics1975 — 1978

Skills & more

Start-ups18Semiconductors12Product Management4Strategic Partnerships14EDA2SaaS2ASIC4Enterprise Software2Venture Capital6IC3Mergers & Acquisitions7Strategy6

From Lip-Bu's professional profile.

Same school

Also attended Carnegie Mellon University251

+ 245 more

Also attended University of San Francisco54

+ 48 more

Also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology977

+ 971 more

Also attended Nanyang Technological University Singapore125

+ 119 more

Shared employers

Deals · 5

Sima TechnologiesBoard seat

via Walden Catalyst · filed Nov 2022 · $67.8M raise

press ↗

Movandi RFCMOS for 5G worldBoard seat

via Celesta Capital · filed Aug 2020 · $35.8M raise

Credo Technology Group HoldingBoard seat

via Celesta Capital · filed Apr 2020 · $98.5M raise

Cnex LabsBoard seat

via Celesta Capital · filed Mar 2017 · $15M raise

Quantenna CommunicationsBoard seat

via Celesta Capital · filed Aug 2015 · $40.1M raise

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.

Colleagues at Walden Catalyst

Network9

Investors connected to Lip-Bu in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.