TDK Ventures’ Post

The sabbatical is coming soon to an end, earlier than expected. Ending my latest chapter in being based out of the Bay Area—a place like no other, both in business opportunities and personal growth. Wrapping up this journey with a memorable catch-up with my dear mentor, Nabil Alali, VP of Fab Operations at Skyworks Solutions, Inc. . Nabil's deep insights as a seasoned global executive in the semiconductor industry are nothing short of awe-inspiring. His perspective on navigating complex global challenges in the industry is a true testament to his expertise and leadership. I also had the pleasure of setting a visit for my Stanford University Graduate School of Business cohort to see my good friend Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, at their HQ who shared his remarkable journey. Despite coming from a non-VC background, Nicolas has defied the odds and built something extraordinary with TDK Ventures. His ability to pioneer a vision in uncharted territory, backed by sheer determination and strategic thinking, is a powerful example of what’s possible when innovation meets resilience. We were fortunate to have Pete Moran, a renowned investor, join us, where he offered his invaluable insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital and the importance of aligning vision with purpose. Pete’s wisdom added layers of depth to our discussions, making it a truly enriching experience. My time in the Bay was truly special and, beyond all, my experience at Stanford was eye-opening. It provided a genuine understanding of why the region is a breeding ground for great innovators and leaders like Reed Hastings (Netflix Sergey Brin (Google Jensen Huang (NVIDIA Morris Chang (TSMC and many more. These industry giants, shaped by their time at Stanford, are living proof of how the culture of excellence, ambition, and vision continues to drive world-changing innovations. I left the Bay Area with immense gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose, inspired by the incredible people and experiences that have marked this journey. Looking forward to what’s next, armed with these valuable insights and connections. As you can see from one of the photos, the vision for the International Semiconductor Executive Summits will be a bigger cause as we transition to the International Semiconductor Industry Group. We have several more initiatives planned to be executed upon my return. Thank you 🌱🤝🌍 Nicolas Sauvage & Thy Tran for advising and convincing me to do this - it was transformational. & Thank you to all those who were part of this sabbatical journey - the human mental and physical battery is fully charged.