Keynote Speaker
Gene Sheridan
CEO
Next-Generation GaN/SiC To Accelerate Electrification
Day 2 / 08:35 - 08:55
New developments in both GaN and SiC combined with new power systems architecture are creating new opportunities to accelerate electrification of our planet across multiple, major markets including electric transportation, renewables, energy storage and more. Technology details, application examples and market implications will be presented.
Gene Sheridan brings over 25 years of experience in power management & semiconductors with an impressive track record in creating, leading and scaling businesses that have enjoyed excellent value creation, growth and profitability.
Most recently, Gene served as CEO of the VC-backed semiconductor start-up BridgeCo that captured 80% market share in the wireless audio market before a successful sale to Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC). Prior to BridgeCo, Gene served as VP & GM at International Rectifier where he managed a business unit with a team of over 100 employees and $600M annual revenues.
At IRF, Gene held several positions that spanned engineering, manufacturing, sales & marketing including the creation of a $70M/yr start-up. Gene holds a BSEE from Clarkson University.
Company Profile
Founded in 2014, Navitas develops ultra-efficient gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors that are revolutionizing the world of power electronics in terms of efficiency, performance, size, cost and sustainability.
GaN is growing in importance because of its ability to offer significantly improved performance over conventional silicon semiconductors while reducing the energy and the physical space needed to deliver that performance. GaN technology will accelerate the transition to a sustainable future by delivering efficiency improvements, lowering the cost of clean energy and reducing the materials and energy needed to create power semiconductors.
Navitas is the industry leader in GaN with drive, control and protection in a single easy-to-use integrated circuit (IC). Navitas GaNFast ICs are easy-to-use ‘digital in, power out’ building blocks that enable up to one hundred times faster switching speeds while increasing energy savings by as much as 40%.
Keynote Speaker
Athar Zaidi
SVP & GM, Power ICs and Connectivity Systems
Session info not yet published
Athar Zaidi is a SVP/GM at Infineon Technologies where he manages Power ICs and Connectivity Systems (PCS) Business Line under Power and Sensor Systems (PSS) Division. Athar joined Infineon in 2016, prior to that he held leadership positions at Dialog Semiconductors, Maxim Integrated and Semtech Corporation where he managed global semiconductor businesses focusing on power management in Enterprise, Consumer, Industrial, Telecom and Automotive space. Athar has an MBA from UC Berkeley and Dual MS in Mechanical and Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Company Profile
Here at Infineon, we combine entrepreneurial success with responsible action to make life easier, safer, and greener. Barely visible, semiconductors have become an indispensable part of everyday life. We play a key role in shaping a better future – with microelectronics that link the real and the digital world. Our semiconductors enable efficient energy management, smart mobility, as well as secure, seamless communications in an increasingly connected world. Infineon designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductors and system solutions. The focus of its activities is on automotive and industrial electronics, communication and information technologies, IoT, sensor technology and security. The product range comprises standard components, software, customer-specific solutions for devices and systems, as well as specific components for digital, analog, and mixed-signal applications.
Keynote Speaker
Ahmad Bahai, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Power & AI
Day 2 / 09:25 - 09:45
Dr. Ahmad Bahai is the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Texas Instruments, where he leads groundbreaking innovation, corporate research, and Kilby Labs.
He also serves as a Professor of the Practice at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is an IEEE Fellow, and is a member of the Industrial Advisory Committee for the CHIPS Act. Previously, Dr. Bahai contributed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s semiconductor working group. From 2017 to 2022, he was an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University and, from 2001 to 2010, a Professor in Residence at UC Berkeley.
Dr. Bahai’s technology leadership experience includes roles as Director of Research Labs and CTO at National Semiconductor, Technical Manager of a research group at Bell Laboratories, and Founder of Algorex, a communications and acoustic IC and systems company acquired by National Semiconductor.
He has authored over 80 publications in IEEE/IEE journals and holds more than 40 patents related to systems and circuits. Dr. Bahai earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, University of London, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Company Profile
Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader focused on designing and manufacturing analog and embedded processing chips that drive electronics everywhere. With over 90 years of innovation, Tl is powering industries across automotive, industrial, communications, and personal electronics.
As part of its commitment to energy efficiency and performance, Tl is advancing Gallium Nitride (GaN) power solutions to enable smaller, faster, and more efficient systems GaN technology allows for higher power density and switching frequencies compared to traditional silicon-based power devices, making it ideal for next-generation electric vehicles,renewables, data centers, and industrial applications.
In 2024, Tl announced expanded GaN manufacturing capabilities at its Richardson, Texas facility, where it will now produce both GaN and silicon semiconductors on a single 300mm wafer line. This investment strengthens TI’s position as a fully integrated GaN supplier — from design to fabrication — ensuring quality, supply assurance, and performance leadership.
With decades of manufacturing excellence and a focus on advancing power electronics, Texas Instruments is helping to engineer a more sustainable and connected future through GaN innovation.
Keynote Speaker
Fabio Necco
VP and GM of Automotive Power Division
The Role of Power Semiconductors in Mobility, Infrastructure, and AI
Day 2 / 10:55 - 11:15
In the dynamic realm of modern technology, power semiconductors are pivotal in revolutionizing mobility, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI). This presentation delves into the impact of these advanced technologies, such as WBG devices and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), on the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of high-growth markets. We will explore the latest innovations driving the mobility sector, emphasizing how these materials and intelligent designs enhance vehicle performance and efficiency. We will also examine the critical role of power semiconductors in sustainable energy systems and AI applications, showcasing their importance in enabling more efficient technologies.
Vice President and General Manager of Automotive Power Division, Power Solutions Group, onsemi Fabio Necco joined onsemi in 2016. During his career, Mr. Necco has held various leadership positions within onsemi including Senior Director of the Automotive Power Solutions Business Unit from 2016 to 2021. He was then promoted to Vice President and General manager in 2021. Before joining onsemi, Mr. Necco served as Director of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Segment group of Fairchild Semiconductor for 6 years. Fabio earned an MSEE at Italy’s oldest Italian technical university, Politecnico di Torino.
Company Profile
onsemi (Nasdaq: ON) is driving disruptive innovations to help build a better future. With a focus on automotive and industrial end-markets, the company is accelerating change in megatrends such as vehicle electrification and safety, sustainable energy grids, industrial automation, and 5G and cloud infrastructure. With a highly differentiated and innovative product portfolio, onsemi creates intelligent power and sensing technologies that solve the world’s most complex challenges and leads the way in creating a safer, cleaner, and smarter world.
Speaker
Thorsten Scheer, Ph.D.
Regional President of the Bosch Automotive Electronics Division, North America
Driving Innovation, Ensuring Domestic Competitiveness, Increasing Supply Chain Resilience
Day 2 / 11:20 - 11:40
Innovation leadership is one way to exploit market opportunities. Bosch has used an existing technology from a neighboring field and advanced the technology to gain such a technological leadership.
To be successful in the current geopolitical environment this does not suffice, and additional measures are required to meet customer expectation.
One of them is to offer supply chain resilience by offering products out of different regions. This demands in consequence also a consistent management of supplier quality.
A complete management of innovation, technology and supply chain becomes increasingly important as supply chain risks increase.
Since September 2023, Thorsten Scheer is Plant Manager of the Bosch semiconductor fab in Roseville, California, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Semiconductor LLC, as well as Regional President North America in the Mobility Electronics division.
In this role he is integrating the Roseville site into Bosch’s international semiconductor manufacturing network while managing the conversion of the plant into a production facility for silicon carbide chips. Thorsten Scheer builds on his broad experience in various leadership positions for Bosch in Germany, Hungary, and the U.S., with a strong focus on post-merger integration and his ten years of expertise in sensor technology. Thorsten Scheer is a physicist and holds a PhD in economics.
Company Profile
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 428,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 91.6 billion euros in 2023. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT provider, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch is pursuing a vision of mobility that is sustainable, safe, and exciting. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to facilitate connected living with products and solutions that either contain artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 90,000 associates in research and development, of which roughly 48,000 are software engineers.
Speaker
Katrin Feurle
Senior Director & General Manager SiC Discretes & Modules
The Power of Choice: Expanding the SiC Device Portfolio to Drive Market Growth
Day 2 / 14:40 - 15:00
This presentation will demonstrate how a diverse portfolio of high-performance SiC devices from new market entrants can drive market growth and innovation. We will explore how expanding our SiC device offerings, tailored to specific applications in automotive, renewable energy, and industrial sectors, can unlock new opportunities. By enabling system-level optimization and fostering close customer collaboration, we can accelerate the adoption of SiC technology and achieve significant market penetration.
Katrin Feurle is Nexperia’s Senior Director & General Manager SiC Discretes & Modules and based in Munich.With more than 18 years of experience in the semiconductor industry in various senior roles related to system & application marketing in industrial, consumer and automotive applications she joined Nexperia mid 2022 to accelerate the deployment of Nexperia’s SiC strategy and business plans.
Company Profile
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Nexperia is a global semiconductor company with a rich European history and over 15,000 employees across Europe, Asia, and the United States. As a leading expert in the development and production of essential semiconductors, Nexperia’s components enable the basic functionality of virtually every electronic design in the world – from automotive and industrial to mobile and consumer applications.
The company serves a global customer base, shipping more than 100 billion products annually. These products are recognized as benchmarks in efficiency – in process, size, power, and performance. Nexperia’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and stringent industry requirements are evident in its extensive IP portfolio, its expanding product range, and its certification to IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
Speaker
Rico Tillner
CEO, USA
How foundry services can help to build customized solutions in an evolving SiC Market?
Day 2 / 14:15 - 14:35
In the rapidly advancing field of renewable energy, Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology stands as a key enabler of the next generation of high-performance power electronics. Here we will examine the critical challenges and emerging opportunities within the sector and highlight how X-FAB innovations are providing a powerful platform for the accelerated development and deployment of customized SiC solutions.
The growing adoption of EV applications, the power bottleneck in data centers and the need for renewable energy solutions has compelled X-FAB to focus it efforts on creating high performing products for automotive, industrial and energy markets, We leverage our expertise in SiC technology and our advanced approach to process integration, we have optimized development cycles, dramatically reducing time to market and equipping customers with a distinct competitive advantage. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how our comprehensive solutions drive rapid innovation, accommodate diverse customer needs, and support the scalable adoption of SiC technologies in propelling global renewable energy initiatives forward.
Rico Tillner has 19 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. After his master’s degree in electrical engineering at Technical University Dresden he started his career at X-FAB Dresden. From 2007 until 2015 he worked as Process integration engineer, responsible for a 0.6µm automotive mixed signal technology. In 2016 he becomes the quality manager of X-Fab Dresden. From 2018 until 2023 Rico Tillner was the site manager and CEO of X-FAB in Dresden. 2023 he moved to the United States to start his new role as CEO of X-FAB Texas in Lubbock, TX.
Company Profile
X-FAB is one of the world’s leading specialty foundry groups for analog/mixed-signal semiconductor technologies with a clear focus on automotive, industrial, and medical applications. As a pure-play foundry, X-FAB provides manufacturing and design support services to customers that design analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) and other semiconductor devices for use in their own products or the products of their customers. Its customers worldwide benefit from the highest quality standards, manufacturing excellence and innovative solutions by using X-FAB’s modular CMOS and SOI processes in geometries ranging from 1.0 µm to 110 nm, and its special micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) processes. X-FAB is also the first pure-play foundry to provide comprehensive processing technologies for the wide-bandgap materials silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). The GaN-on-Si wafers are manufactured in its modern 8” fab in Dresden, Germany, and SiC wafers in the 6” fab in Lubbock, Texas, USA. X-FAB runs six production facilities in Germany, France, Malaysia and the U.S. The company employs about 4,200 people worldwide.
Speaker
Avinash Kashyap Ph.D.
SVP & Division Head
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Enabling the AI Ecosystem with Power Semiconductors
Day 2 / 13:50 - 14:10
Dr. Avinash Kashyap is the Senior Vice President & Division Head of the MOSFETs Division at Vishay Intertechnology. He leads a global organization overseeing P&L, engineering, marketing, applications, and revenue generation for power products, including Si MOSFETs, Power ICs, and SiC, with a strong focus on automotive, industrial, and data center applications.
Previously, Dr. Kashyap served as Vice President & General Manager of the Discrete & Wide Bandgap Power Business Unit at Renesas Electronics, where he led multiple product lines, including IGBTs, SiC, Si MOSFETs, and GaN, catering to high-volume markets.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kashyap has held leadership roles at Microchip Technology and GE Global Research, where he played a pivotal role in advancing wide bandgap technologies and successfully bringing them to market.
An accomplished innovator, he has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications and holds more than 20 patents (granted or pending). Dr. Kashyap earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and a distinguished member of the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers.
Company Profile
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, rectifiers, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and selected ICs) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets. Vishay’s product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and “one-stop shop” service have made it a global industry leader.
Speaker
Surya Iyer, Ph.D.
President & COO
Leveraging a robust and established technology from a partner, U.S. Power Foundry plans to offer advanced GaN device mass production at 200mm
Day 2 / 17:00 - 17:15
Last September, Polar announced at ISES-Power that it had become a U.S.-owned domestic foundry for sensor and power semiconductor high-volume manufacturing. This presentation will expand on its transformation journey and showcase its latest silicon and GaN power semiconductor offerings for the industry. Polar’s various customer service and enablement models will be discussed, encompassing the spectrum of startups to large companies as well as fabless to IDM companies. The “Captive Capacity” Foundry business model will describe a novel approach that leverages partnerships to achieve world-class technological and cost competitiveness, and supply chain security. The distinct advantages for the national and economic security community (Defense, Energy, Commerce) will be elucidated. A partner guest will be on-stage to delve further into the partnership that will be a unique resource for the worldwide compound semiconductor community.
Surya Iyer is President at Polar Semiconductor and previously held senior management and engineering positions at Cypress Semiconductor and Applied Materials. Appointed by the Walz-Flanagan administration, Surya is the Chair of the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Surya serves on the Governing Council for SEMI/FOA and is an adjunct Professor of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. Surya attended Wharton, was a fellow at Stanford, received his post-graduate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and an undergraduate engineering degree from IIT-Kanpur. He has 20 patents related to semiconductor processing and equipment design and over 25 peer-reviewed publications.
Company Profile
Polar Semiconductor is a U.S.-owned MN located 200mm foundry specializing in sensor and power semiconductors, for high-volume manufacturing of silicon and wide-bandgap ICs and discrete devices, and specialty products tailored for Automotive, Industrial, and Aerospace & Defense applications.
Speaker
Divya Panchanathan, P.h.D.
Global Lead for In-Space Semiconductors Commercialization
Orbital Foundries for Next-Generation Semiconductors
Day 2 / 17:35 - 17:45
The growing commercial space economy is lowering launch costs and enabling the construction of large-scale orbital infrastructure, paving the way for industrialization in space. The unique conditions of LEO – such as the absence of convection and the availability of high vacuum – can enable the growth of large defect-free crystals of Wide Bandgap semiconductors (SiC, AlN, Diamond), photonics, and quantum materials which cannot be produced at commercial scale on the ground today. This will unlock new levels of performance and efficiency in critical applications like electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced computing.
This talk will explore how commercial space stations, space logistics providers and large-scale orbital infrastructure are together unlocking the production of next-generation semiconductors in space. It will also highlight commercial case studies demonstrating the feasibility and potential of this transformative technology.
Dr. Divya Panchanathan is the Global Lead for In-Space Semiconductors Commercialization at Axiom Space, which is building the world’s first commercial space station. She spearheads strategic partnerships to drive innovation and sustainable growth in space-based semiconductor manufacturing. Divya pioneered the advanced materials in-space manufacturing programs at Axiom Space and has overseen the execution of over five projects covering semiconductor crystals, optical fibers, and 2D materials. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Indian Institute of Technology Madras and earned her Master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in interfacial science. Prior to Axiom Space, Divya led R&D projects that developed innovative material solutions for critical applications in the filtration, oil & gas, and marine transportation industries.
Company Profile
Axiom Space is the leading developer of next-generation orbital infrastructure and provider of human spaceflight services. Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station, and orbital infrastructure for orbital data centers and in-space manufacturing of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. The company is pushing the boundaries of technological innovation and providing end-to-end solutions for the semiconductor industry to expand its research and manufacturing capabilities beyond Earth. Axiom Station and its scalable orbital infrastructure will enable the manufacturing of next-generation semiconductor materials for energy, compute, quantum, and automotive applications on the ground. Axiom Space is furthering American leadership in space exploration, elevating national space programs globally, and enabling the industrialization of space by redefining the pathway to sustained presence in the low-Earth orbit.
Speaker
Edward Chen
VP Commercial
SK Siltron CSS navigating the global uncertainties with advances in 200mm technology and readiness
Day 2 / 11:45 - 12:05
Future SiC power devices will be manufactured on 200mm wafers to increase competitiveness with improved cost efficiency, robust supply assurance, and greater usable area. SK Siltron CSS is ready with its 200mm capacity expansion as a pure play SiC materials supplier.
Edward Chen is the VP of Commercial at SK Siltron CSS leading the global sales, marketing, and applications teams focused on scaling the silicon carbide materials business. He brings over 20 years of experience in power semiconductors with a proven track record of delivering continuous revenue growth. Prior to SK, he held roles at GE Aerospace and Wolfspeed leading worldwide sales teams to design-in SiC MOSFETs, Schottky diodes, and modules into automotive EV, renewable energy, industrial, and server/IT applications.
Company Profile
At SK siltron css, we provide the global compound semiconductor industry with a reliable source of leading-edge, production-proven, high-crystal-quality silicon carbide (SiC) wafers and epitaxy services.
Our SiC technology and manufacturing expertise extends from crystal growth through wafer fabrication and epitaxy. We focus our R&D efforts on finding environmentally friendly solutions using renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing practices. Our latest-generation, wide-bandgap semiconductor materials are designed to help customers meet global demands for improved environmental sustainability, increased electricity demand and higher energy efficiency.
Drawing on decades of experience providing SiC materials and products, we continue to grow and double our capacity year over year. As a dedicated materials supplier, we focus on providing wafers and materials for critical compound semiconductor applications. We do not make devices or compete with our customers. We are backed by the resources and purchasing power of SK siltron.
Speaker
Douglas Bailey
VP Marketing
1700V GaN and Its Performance as an Alternative to SiC
Day 2 / 12:10 - 12:30
Several companies have developed technologies for high voltage GaN”; generally specified at 600 V and perhaps as high as 800 V with suitable de-rating for SOA and the frequency of peak voltage application. These devices have had great success in off-line consumer products such as cellphone and notebook adapters, where size and weight are critical factors in the product value proposition. GaN is also found in appliances with high power needs such as refrigerators, and in consumer entertainment products – TVs – and personal computing systems. Designers appreciate GaN’s exceptional efficiency and robustness, and also the cost-benefit curve as the technology matures and displaces silicon MOSFETs. But for GaN to expand beyond consumer products and into higher power applications it must demonstrate that it can stand toe to toe with silicon carbide (SiC) in performance at industrial voltages. This presentation describes a 1700 V GaN HEMT device in the flyback application and compares it directly with a SiC equivalent, concluding with some insights into the future of both wide bandgap technologies.
Mr. Bailey joined Power Integrations in 2004 as vice president of marketing. Prior to joining PI, Mr. Bailey served as vice president of marketing at ChipX, a structured-ASIC company. His earlier experience includes serving as business management and marketing consultant for Sapiential Prime, Inc.., director of sales and business unit manager for 8×8, Inc., application engineering management for IIT, Inc. and design engineering roles with LSI Logic, Inmos, Ltd. and Marconi.
Company Profile
Power Integrations, Inc., is a leading innovator in semiconductor technologies for high-voltage power conversion. Our products are key building blocks in the clean-power ecosystem, enabling the generation of renewable energy as well as the efficient transmission and consumption of power in a vast range of applications including appliances, mobile devices, computers and countless industrial applications.
Energy-saving technologies such as our PowiGaN™ gallium-nitride technology and our EcoSmart™ energy-efficiency technology prevent billions of kilowatt-hours of energy waste each year, while our highly integrated chips save billions of electronic components each year. Reflecting the environmental benefits of our products, Power Integrations’ stock is a component of clean-technology stock indices such as the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index and the Etho Climate Leadership Index, and our Green Room provides a comprehensive guide to energy-efficiency standards around the world.
Power Integrations, Inc. is a leading innovator in semiconductor technologies for high-voltage power conversion. The company’s products are key building blocks in the clean-power ecosystem, enabling the generation of renewable energy as well as the efficient transmission and consumption of power in applications ranging from milliwatts to megawatts. For more information, please visit www.power.com.
Speaker
Michelle Bourke
Managing Director Specialty Technologies and Strategic Marketing
Preparing for GaN Device Manufacturing at 300mm
Day 2 / 17:20 - 17:30
GaN is one of the most important third generation semiconductor materials. Its wide bandgap makes it an excellent candidate for high power electronics – GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have already become well established in Specialty Technology applications such as consumer fast charging and are gaining traction in automotive.
Today, the most advanced GaN device manufacturing is performed on 200mm wafers. But the recent advances in 300mm GaN on Silicon MOCVD is ushering the next phase of GaN adoption at the larger wafer size. Of increasing interest, is the fabrication of low voltage GaN power electronics targeted at data center power management applications, as the rapidly emerging world of generative AI accelerates datacenter investment.
Lam has been a leader in Specialty Technologies, in the development of enabling process capabilities for 200mm GaN on Si fabrication, for almost a decade. In this paper, we will review the current status of these capabilities and discuss the challenges and opportunities for transitioning GaN from 200mm to 300mm production.
Michelle Bourke received her B.Sc. degree in Optoelectronics and Laser Engineering from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, UK. Subsequently she joined the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), where she worked on advanced processing methods for GaAs/AlGaAs optoelectronic devices. In 1997 she entered the semiconductor capital equipment industry as a technologist and has since accrued more than 25 years of experience in semiconductor technology, strategy, and new product development. She is a specialist in fabrication technologies for MEMS, Power Devices, RF Electronics and Optoelectronics. Michelle is a frequent presenter at leading industry forums and also serves on many committees and industry councils. In November of 2018, she was inducted into the Semi MEMS and Sensors Industry Group Hall of Fame and in 2020 she was a Silicon Valley YWCA Tribute to Women Honoree. Michelle is currently Chair of the Semi MEMS Manufacturing Working Group, Co-chair of the Semi MEMs Standards Committee and a Director on the Transducers Research Foundation Board where she is the Chair of Fund Raising and Development Committee. Michelle joined Lam Research in 2015 and is currently Managing Director of Specialty Technologies and Strategic Marketing in Lam’s Customer Support Business Group.
Company Profile
Lam Research Corporation is a trusted global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Our strong values-based culture fuels our progress, and it’s through collaboration, precision, and delivery that we are driving semiconductor breakthroughs that define the next generation. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500® company headquartered in Fremont, California, with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com
We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a commitment to customer success to advance the global semiconductor industry. Our broad portfolio of market-leading deposition, etch, strip, and wafer cleaning solutions helps customers achieve success on the wafer by enabling device features that are 1,000 times smaller than a grain of sand—it’s why nearly every chip today is built with Lam technology.
Panel Moderator
Mike Rosa, Ph.D.
CMO & SVP Strategy
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Mike Rosa is chief marketing officer (CMO) and senior vice president responsible for strategy at Onto Innovation. Prior to his current role, Mike served as CMO for Applied Materials ICAPS and Advanced Packaging Groups, where he was responsible for leadership of strategic and technical marketing, marketing communications, charting device segment inflection roadmaps and providing strategic business development support toward M&A activities. He has over 25 years’ experience in semiconductor engineering and technology, with roles that span device design and fabrication, equipment development, marketing and sales. His technical qualifications include B.Eng. (Hons) and Ph.D. degrees in Microelectronic Engineering and an MBA with dual majors in Marketing and Business Strategy. Mike has authored over 40 journal and conference publications and holds over 29 U.S. patents
Company Profile
Onto Innovation is a leader in process control, combining global scale with an expanded portfolio of leading-edge technologies that include: Un-patterned wafer quality; 3D metrology spanning chip features from nanometer scale transistors to large die interconnects; macro defect inspection of wafers and packages; elemental layer composition; overlay metrology; factory analytics; and lithography for advanced semiconductor packaging. Our breadth of offerings across the entire semiconductor value chain helps our customers solve their most difficult yield, device performance, quality, and reliability issues. Onto Innovation strives to optimize customers’ critical path of progress by making them smarter, faster and more efficient. Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Onto Innovation supports customers with a worldwide sales and service organization.
General Telephone: +1 978 253 6200
General email: info@ontoinnovation.com
Website: www.ontoinnovation.com
Panel Moderator
Rouzbeh Borhani
Head of Semiconductors
VC & Investment Activities in Power Electronics Fireside Chat
Day 1 / 18:00 - 18:40
ISIG 15th Year Anniversary Welcome
Day 2 / 08:10 - 08:30
Rouzbeh is the Founder and Head of the Semiconductor practice at Plug and Play, the largest corporate innovation platform in the world and one of the most active early-stage investors globally. He collaborates closely with entrepreneurs, corporate innovation leaders, and investors, focusing on the semiconductor industry value chain.
Previously, Rouzbeh served as the Country Retail Management Director in the Consumer Electronics sector.
Rouzbeh holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Disruptive Innovation, along with a Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering. He is currently a PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering. His passion lies at the intersection of technology and business.
Company Profile
Plug and Play is the ultimate innovation platform. Our mission is to build the world’s leading innovation platform and make innovation open to anyone, anywhere. We do this by connecting entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors worldwide.
Over the past 15 years, we have brought together 35,000+ startups, 500+ world-leading corporations, and hundreds of venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies across 20+ industries.
We are active in 50+ locations globally, including the U.S., China, France, Germany, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Brazil, and more.
Together with our partners, we are creating a unique ecosystem designed to facilitate meaningful introductions, invest in startups, and bring together key stakeholders.
The industries we focus on include Agtech, Animal Health, Brand & Retail, Crypto & Digital Assets, Energy, Enterprise, Fintech, Food & Beverage, Health, Insurtech, IoT, Maritime, Media & Ad, Mobility, New Materials & Packaging, Real Estate & Construction, Smart Cities, Supply Chain, Sustainability, and Travel & Hospitality.
Panel Moderator
Rajesh Ramanujam
Investment Director
VC & Investment Activities in Power Electronics Fireside Chat
Day 1 / 18:00 - 18:40
With undergraduate (IIT Madras) and graduate (Purdue University) degrees in mechanical engineering, Rajesh Ramanujam is a technologist at heart. He joined Applied Ventures in early 2019 and is focused on investing in a range of verticals including additive manufacturing and semiconductors.
His first job out of graduate school was at Applied Materials, within the core products group where he developed temperature measurement hardware and software control technologies for Rapid Thermal Processing of silicon wafers. He has a varied set of experiences in all aspects of technology development and commercialization (product development, program management, product marketing et. al.) through his time in the product groups.
He subsequently entered technology investment banking (at Cowen & Company and Barclays Capital) when he was involved in advising private and public companies on capital raising and M&A in semiconductors, software and internet verticals.
Prior to rejoining Applied Ventures, Rajesh was an early member of Lam Capital (corporate venture arm of Lam Research Corporation) where he helped to establish the venture investment group and executed Lam’s investments in life science companies and funds.
He spends most of his time outside of work with his family and aspires to spend more time enjoying the sun, the snow and the incredible variety of food that Northern California offers.
Company Profile
Applied Ventures, LLC, is the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, Inc., (NASDAQ: AMAT). Applied Materials is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. For more than a decade, Applied Ventures has invested in startups that are pioneering innovations in smartphones, augmented and virtual reality, AI, driverless cars, big data, life sciences, 3D printing, robotics, cleantech, and advanced materials. Applied Ventures is stage agnostic and invests up to $100M per year globally. We have invested in over 90 companies across 18 countries.
Panelist
Katherine He, Ph.D.
Investor
VC & Investment Activities in Power Electronics Fireside Chat
Day 1 / 18:00 - 18:40
Katherine He is an Investment Analyst at TDK Ventures. She supports the research and landscape building in energy-storage materials and battery technologies and leads technology scouting on startups in the energy sector. She is a published author with 12 peer-reviewed publications, two patents, and one book chapter.
Prior to joining TDK Ventures, she was a battery researcher and engineer with eight years of experience developing high-energy density lithium-ion batteries and energy-storage technologies. With a Ph.D. in materials science and a deep understanding of technology, she was also trained by government and national lab programs in commercializing lab innovations. Additionally, she had leadership roles in deep tech and entrepreneur communities. She is a founding member of the largest global battery community, “Volta Foundation,” which includes more than 20,000 battery professionals. She also co-founded BatteryBits and BatteryStreet, and serves as an executive member of MIT CEO, actively bridging the academia, industry, and venture worlds to accelerate the cleantech revolution.
Katherine enjoys reading, hiking, working out, and having hot pot together with family and friends. She also practices Chinese traditional dancing, and spends time serving battery communities.
Company Profile
TDK Ventures Inc. invests in startups to bolster innovation in materials science, energy/power and related areas typically underrepresented in venture capital portfolios. Established in 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK
Corporation, the corporate venture company’s vision is to propel the digital and energy transformations of segments such as robotics and industrial, next-generation transportation, mixed reality and the wider IoT/IIoT markets. TDK Ventures will co-invest and support promising portfolio companies by providing technical expertise and access to global markets where TDK operates. For more information, please visit www.tdk-ventures.com.
Panelist
Yvonne Lutsch, Ph.D.
Investment Director
Session info not yet published.
Yvonne joined Lam Capital in October 2024 as Investment Director, bringing over 7 years of venture capital experience from Bosch Ventures USA, where she led investments in deep tech fields like AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, sensors, and industrial technology. She also has 13+ years of operational experience at Bosch, having served in leadership roles across technology scouting, business development, engineering, and manufacturing in both mobility as well as consumer electronics. Yvonne holds a PhD in Applied Physics from University of Tuebingen and a Diploma in Experimental Physics from University of Siegen, both Germany.
Company Profile
Lam Capital invests in innovative companies that are addressing some of today’s most challenging, high-impact problems. From semiconductor subsystems to AI chips and Industry 4.0 technologies, we invest in and partner with startups that are disrupting their respective industries.
Panelist
Primit Parikh, Ph.D.
VP GAN
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Primit leads GaN business at Renesas, following its recent acquisition of Transphorm Inc., where he was the Co-founder, President and CEO. Prior to this, he led Transphorm, a pioneer and leader in GaN Power Semiconductors, having grown it from inception to leading its public company listing (Nasdaq/TGAN) and transformation partnering with it’s phenomenal team. He is passionate about creating value from the intersection of business and technology. With over 25 years of semiconductor & entrepreneurial experience, his background includes capital raises, international markets & strategic partnerships, key customer relationships, products & manufacturing, IP, GaN/Semi technology and Government contracting. Prior to Transphorm, Primit led GaN electronics at Nitres Inc. through its acquisition by Cree, where he led GaN development and government business P&L. Primit received his B.Tech. in EE from IIT, Mumbai and his MS & Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UCSB. He has more than 40 patents awarded and co-authored more than 75 publications and presentations. He is blessed to reside in the amazing Santa Barbara area with his wonderful family.
Company Profile
Renesas Electronics empowers a safer, smarter and more sustainable future where technology helps make our lives easier.
A leading global provider of microcontrollers, Renesas combines our expertise in embedded processing, analog, power and connectivity to deliver complete semiconductor solutions. These Winning Combinations accelerate time to market for automotive, industrial, infrastructure and IoT applications, enabling billions of connected, intelligent devices that enhance the way people work and live.
Panelist
Shiori Idaka, Ph.D.
Head of European Research Co-operation Center (ERC) Semiconductor – European Business Group
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Shiori Idaka joined Mitsubishi Electric’s Advanced Technology R&D Centre in 2002. There, she was involved in the development of various semiconductor packages, including LSIs, MEMS sensors, high-frequency and optical devices, power devices. In December 2016, she moved to the German branch of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. and launched the European Research Cooperation Centre in 2017, where she is responsible for the coordinating of research and development projects on power electronics. So far, she has managed over 80 projects.
Company Profile
Mitsubishi Electric is one of the world’s leading names in the manufacture and sales of electrical and electronic products and systems used in a broad range of fields and applications.
We are contributing to the realization of “Green Transformation” (GX) and “Digital Transformation” (DX)with innovative and ever-evolving semiconductors & devices.These include power devices that achieve energy-saving, miniaturization,and high-reliability for power electronic equipment, optical devices and high-frequency devices realizing seamless communication at high speed and high capacity, and infrared sensors capable of advanced temperature detection enabling identification of people and objects as well as discernment of people’s movements.
Panelist
Victor Veliadis, Ph.D.
Executive Director & CTO
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Victor Veliadis is Executive Director & CTO of PowerAmerica, a member-driven Manufacturing USA Institute of industry, universities, and national labs accelerating the commercialization of energy efficient silicon carbide and gallium nitride power semiconductor chips and electronics. At PowerAmerica he has managed a budget of US$156 million, and is now managing a US$64M renewal. Victor is also an ECE Professor at NC State University, an IEEE Fellow, a National Academy of Inventors Fellow, and an IEEE EDS Distinguished Lecturer. He has 27 issued U.S. patents, 12 book chapters, and 165 peer-reviewed publications to his credit.
Company Profile
PowerAmerica is a consortium of industry, universities, and national labs accelerating the commercialization of energy efficient silicon carbide and gallium nitride power semiconductor technologies. Our membership network spans the wide-bandgap technology ecosystem, from materials to device developers and fabs to module manufacturers to end users, as well as universities that educate and supply the future workforce. As we continue to grow, so does the diversity of our membership.
Panelist
Rainer Kaesmaier, Ph.D.
Managing Director Semiconductors
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Dr. Rainer Kaesmaier is a Managing Director for the Global Product Group Semiconductors of Hitachi Energy, leading the semiconductor business with its global manufacturing and R&D footprint for the power semiconductor product portfolio which compromises GTOs, IGBTs, IGCTs, Thyristors, Diodes for market segments such as energy transmission & distribution, transportation & rail, renewable, industrial, and emobility. Rainer is a semiconductor industry veteran having held various management and executive positions in the sector for more than 25 years, covering areas of global responsibility in business strategy and development, business transformation, technology and engineering, operations and production, R&D, as well as sales and marketing. After stations at Siemens, Infineon, Qimonda, and the European semiconductor manufacturer LFoundry, he resumed in 2018 the responsibility for ABB’s semiconductor business which is now Hitachi Energy. He is also a member of the board for Hitachi Energy Switzerland. Rainer was a member in various industries strategy committees in Europe and the US. Rainer holds a masters degree in physics from the Technical University Munich and a PhD in physics from the University Kassel in Germany. He is based in Lenzburg near Zürich, Switzerland.
Company Profile
We have one of the most diverse semiconductor portfolios that includes thyristors, diodes, GTOs, IGCTs, IGBTs and RoadPakTM modules, which are manufactured at our facilities in Lenzburg, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic. We have one of the most diverse semiconductor portfolios that includes thyristors, diodes, GTOs, IGCTs, MOSFETs and IGBTs, which are manufactured at our facilities in Lenzburg, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic. Our research team continues pushing the boundaries of what is possible, using silicon and silicon carbide (SiC) technology to innovate the next generation of power electronics devices. Our advanced semiconductor technology brings unprecedented control to HVDC transmission systems. We are the heart of traction converters for high speed trains, metros and diesel-electric locomotives. Pumps, fans, roller tables, hoist and winches found throughout industry rely on us, and the world is able to enjoy greener mobility because we power the next generation of e-vehicles.
Hitachi Energy Switzerland Ltd.
Semiconductors
Fabrikstrasse 3
CH-5600 Lenzburg, Switzerland
Phone: +41 58 586 14 19
Fax: +41 58 586 13 06
Email: salesdesksem@hitachienergy.com
www.hitachienergy.com/semiconductors
Panelist
Gianni Vitale
Application Director
Panel Session: WBG Manufacturability and Scaling
Day 2 / 16:10 - 16:55
Gianni Vitale is an Application Director at STMicroelectronics. He has over 24 years of experience in power electronics, covering different positions, including divisional roles in product and application engineering, in systems engineering and as customer application support. He is now the responsible of the Analog and power application team for Region America with special focus on industrial switch mode power and systems, motor control, automotive power systems for electric vehicles and power management for server applications.
Company Profile
At ST, we are more than 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
Panelist
Pete Rodriguez
CEO
VC & Investment Activities in Power Electronics Fireside Chat
Day 1 / 18:00 - 18:40
Pete Rodriguez has 40 years of experience in the Semiconductor industry. He is on the steering committee of the American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition (ASIC) and has co-led the startup team. In 2022, Pete served on the semiconductor working group of the President’s council of advisors in science and technology (PCAST). Pete is currently on the advisory boards of Certus Semiconductor, Harvest Management Partners and Blue Horizons-AI and an observer on the board of Owl Autonomous Imaging.
Pete was formerly VP & GM of Interface and Power at NXP Semiconductors. Prior to NXP, Pete was CEO of Exar Corporation (NASDAQ), CEO of Xpedion Design Systems (acquired by Agilent), Chief Marketing Officer at Virage Logic (NASDAQ), Major Account Manager at LSI Logic and Program Manager at Aerojet Electronic Systems. He spent twelve years as an entrepreneur with three different startups and has raised over $30 Million in venture capital. He retired from the US Naval Reserves with the rank of Commander. Pete has served on public, UK LTD, private, advisory and non-profit boards of directors.
He is a graduate in strategy and policy of the Naval War College. Pete has an MBA from Pepperdine University, an MSEE from Cal Poly Pomona where he was inducted in the engineering hall of fame, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.
Company Profile
Silicon Catalyst is the only incubator + accelerator focused on the Global Semiconductor Industry including Chips, Chiplets, Materials, IP and Silicon fabrication-based Photonics, MEMS, Sensors, Life Science and Quantum.
More than 1,200 startup companies worldwide have engaged with Silicon Catalyst and the company has admitted over 100 exciting companies. With a world-class network of mentors to advise startups, Silicon Catalyst is helping new semiconductor companies address the challenges in moving from idea to realization.
The incubator + accelerator supplies startups with access to design tools, silicon devices, networking, and a path to funding, banking and marketing acumen to successfully launch and grow their company’s novel technology solutions. Over the past nine years, the Silicon Catalyst model has been proven to dramatically accelerate a startup’s trajectory while at the same time de-risking the equation for investors.
The Silicon Catalyst Angels was established in July 2019 as a separate organization to provide access to seed and Series A funding for Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Companies.
SiliconCatalyst.UK, a subsidiary of Silicon Catalyst, was selected by the UK government to manage ChipStart UK, an early-stage semiconductor incubator funded by the UK government.
In February of 2024, Silicon Catalyst Ventures (SCV) was launched to fund early-stage startups accepted into the incubator’s two-year program. SCV has already made eleven investments in Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Companies.
More information is available at www.siliconcatalyst.com, www.siliconcatalystangels.com, www.siliconcatalyst.uk, and Silicon Catalyst Ventures www.sicatalystvc.com.
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