D&R On-Demand Webinar

Break-up of the fabless semiconductor model - Has the time come?
By Dr. C. Paul Slaby
President & CEO
Kaben Wireless Silicon Inc.

Overview:

This presentation examines today's challenges in building a start-up semiconductor company in the context of the maturing semiconductor industry and weak financial markets with limited funding options. How do we translate R&D excellence and engineering creativity into a viable business in the environment where most of the pie has been carved out already? Is there still a room for entrepreneurial juices to flow in the semiconductor business or are we more or less becoming like the automobile industry? Even if one was tempted to pursue a promising idea addressing a real market need, what kind of a company and what kind of a business model is realistically viable in today's semiconductor economy?

Biography:

Dr. Slaby is an experienced high-tech executive and entrepreneur with a track record of building successful companies in the area of semiconductors and information technology. He was a founder and CEO of ATMOS Corporation, a leader in embedded IC memory compilers, from 1994 until its acquisition by Monolithic System Technology (NASDAQ:MOSY). He also founded VoIPshield Systems Inc in 2004 and as its CEO, he grew the company from inception through its first product development and launch, first marquee customers to build the company as an acknowledged industry leader. His other business accomplishments include founding and running an overseas design center, MicroSemiX Ltd, and establishing a non-profit charitable foundation PHF Inc which he ran as President in 1994-1999. Previously he held various engineering and management positions in Bell Northern Research, Nortel, and Carleton University. He is an author of numerous articles, scientific publications and conference papers. He served on the Board of Directors of Strategic Microelectronics Consortium, ATMOS, VoIPshield, and PHF. He also served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the National Research Council and as an Advisor to Carleton University Foundry program.