Lip-Bu Tan

Lip-Bu Tan is an American business executive, technologist, and venture capitalist best known for his leadership roles at Cadence Design Systems, Walden International, and most recently as the incoming CEO of Intel Corporation. A pioneer in the global semiconductor and investment space, Tan has been instrumental in bridging U.S. and Asian tech ecosystems through his strategic investments and corporate leadership.

Lip-Bu Tan
Born	November 12, 1959 Muar, Johor, Malaya (now Malaysia)
Citizenship	United States
Alma mater	Nanyang University MIT (SM) University of San Francisco (MBA)
Occupation	Business Executive, Venture Capitalist
Known for	CEO of Cadence Design Systems Chairman of Walden International Incoming CEO of Intel (2025)

Early Life and Education

Lip-Bu Tan was born on November 12, 1959, in Muar, Johor, in the former Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia). His father was a chief editor at a Chinese-language newspaper and his mother a schoolteacher. Tan pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Nanyang University, Singapore, followed by a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from MIT. Following the Three Mile Island accident, Tan transitioned into business, earning his MBA from the University of San Francisco.

Career

Tan began his career at EDS Nuclear and ECHO Energy before venturing into the investment world. In 1987, he founded Walden International, a venture capital firm named after Henry David Thoreau's *Walden*, which focused on semiconductors, clean tech, and digital media startups across Asia and the U.S.

In 2004, he joined the board of Cadence Design Systems. He became interim CEO in 2008 and was officially named CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, Cadence saw renewed growth, major acquisitions like Tensilica, and global expansion. He served as CEO until 2021 and executive chairman until 2023.

In 2025, Tan was appointed as the new CEO of Intel Corporation, effective March 18, 2025, marking a new chapter in his transformative leadership journey.

Board Memberships and Affiliations

Lip-Bu Tan has served on the boards of major corporations, including:

• Hewlett Packard Enterprise
• Schneider Electric
• SoftBank
• Formerly on Intel’s board (2022–2024)
• Member of the Committee of 100

He also supported academic and faith-based institutions, serving as a trustee at Nanyang Technological University, New College Berkeley, and as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley.

Philanthropy

Tan has contributed generously to higher education and deep tech initiatives. In 2019, he endowed two computer science professorships at Carnegie Mellon University worth $3 million each. In 2024, he pledged S$3 million to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for AI research and invested S$5 million to launch the Nanyang Frontier Fund to support deep tech startups.

Awards and Recognition

• Robert N. Noyce Award (2022) – The highest honor from the Semiconductor Industry Association.
• Featured by Forbes and Relationship Science for his influential role in global tech innovation and venture capital.

Personal Life

Lip-Bu Tan is a U.S. citizen and resides in Piedmont, California, with his wife Ysa Loo. The couple has two children. He is a devout Christian and active in his church community.

Conclusion

Lip-Bu Tan has made a profound impact on the technology and investment landscape, fostering innovation across continents. From transforming Cadence to shaping the next era at Intel, his career exemplifies visionary leadership, global perspective, and a steadfast commitment to technological progress and ethical business practices.