With IT services companies (Infosys, Satyam, TCS, Wipro) being phenomenally successful, there is an urge amongst many of us to see similar success in product companies, particularly the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing area – the focus of VLSI 2007 conference.
Veerappan of Tessolve set the stage for the panel discussion.
Pradeep Vajram (VP Engg, QualComm) talked of three issues –
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Companies to focus on depth, take risks and use the “network” – characteristics of Silicon Valley companies
Need for networking among industry professionals
Education & Research institutions and industry should work closely; about 25% of Institute revenues coming from Industry is one good indication
Ganapathi Subramaniam (CEO Cosmic Circuits) talked about four issues
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Ecosystem to engage all partners
Talent to be available I the areas of finance & marketing, design and operations; currently no operation experience is available in India and may be we need to import this talent
Infrastructure (particularly logistics) to support manufacture
VC funding that understands the complexity of semiconductor, electronics and manufacturing
Samir Kumar (Managing Partner, Investus Capital) talked of five issues
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Capital to be available in a way very different from services companies (not Banking type but entrepreneurs controlling VC funds)
Risk taking amongst people and the society supporting
Skill-sets to match the requirements
Market to absorb (luckily it is happening in India)
Role models for success in manufacturing (the way Infosys for services companies)
I mentioned about the lack of people with advanced degrees (M Tech / PhD) – comparing USA (75,000 BS while 15,000 PhD in Science & Engineering) Vs India (3,75,000 B Tech but just 1,000 PhDs in Engineering), influence of parents, society putting value in “number of people reporting into you” than the “contributions by you as an individual” as impediments
There were some interesting questions from the audience. There was a feeling that in the next 3 years there will be some role models and success stories through products from India.
(Panel discussion on January 10, 2007 during VLSI 2007 International Conference at NIMHANS Convention Center, Bangalore)
