Lip-Bu Tan
InvestorFounding 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
- Intel CorporationChief Executive Officercurrent2025 — present
- Walden InternationalChairmancurrent1984 — present
- Walden Catalyst VenturesFounding Managing Partnercurrent2020 — present
- Celesta CapitalFounding Managing Partnercurrent2021 — present
- Schneider Electric Energy & Sustainability ServicesBoard Membercurrent2019 — presentParis Area, France
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityMember of the Board of Trusteecurrent2011 — present
- Artera.aiChairman of the Boardcurrent2022 — present
- Greenstone BiosciencesChairman of the Boardcurrent2022 — present
- Rivos Inc.Chairman of the Boardcurrent2021 — present
- Green Hills SoftwareBoard membercurrent2019 — present
- SambaNovaChairman of the Boardcurrent2025 — present
- SambaNovaExecutive Chairman2024 — 2025Palo Alto, California
- SambaNovaChairman of the Board2017 — 2024Palo Alto, California, United States
- Fuller Theological SeminaryMember of the Board of Trusteecurrent2021 — present
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMember of the School of Engineering Dean's Advisory Councilcurrent2023 — present
- Intel CorporationBoard Member2022 — 2024
- Cadence Design SystemsAdvisor2023 — 2024
- Cadence Design SystemsExecutive Chairman2021 — 2023
- Cadence Design SystemsCEO2008 — 2021
- SoftBank GroupBoard Member2020 — 2022
Education
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityHonorary Doctor of Science and Technology
- University of San FranciscoHonorary Doctor's Degree, Humane Letters
- University of San FranciscoMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)1981 — 1983
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMS, Nuclear Engineering1978 — 1981
- Nanyang Technological University SingaporeBachelor of Science (BS), Physics1975 — 1978
Skills & more
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
Also worked at SambaNova7
+ 1 more
Also worked at Fuller Theological Seminary2
Also worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology325
+ 319 more
Also worked at Intel Corporation279
+ 273 more
Deals · 5
Sima TechnologiesBoard seat
via Walden Catalyst · filed Nov 2022 · $67.8M raise
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.
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