Ep 007 - Startup at 68? An Indian Serial Chip Founder's Next Chapter - Raja Manickam

"Great companies exist because of great people." It's a common saying, but what does it mean in the high-stakes, capital-intensive world of chips? In the latest episode of the Chai & Chips podcast, I had the honour of speaking with Raja Manickam, a true legend of India's semiconductor industry and the founder of Tessolve and iVP Semi. This isn't your typical success story. Raja offers a candid and deeply insightful look into the realities of building a deep-tech company in India. We discussed why he started his latest venture at 68, his unfiltered take on the ecosystem, and his powerful leadership philosophy that "you work for your people, they don't work for you." Tune in to learn: 🔹 Why the "rest of the world" supply chain is India's game to win. 🔹 The critical difference between objective vs. emotional bonding in leadership. 🔹 His bold advice for Indian policymakers and large corporations on how to truly foster innovation. 🔹 Why he believes the semiconductor industry needs India more than India needs it. This is a must-listen for anyone in tech, leadership, or policy-making who wants to understand the soul of building something that lasts. Resources: Find Raja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manickamworldt2/ Find Prakash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-mallya/   Find Prakash on X: https://x.com/PrakashMallya Find Prakash on Substack: https://www.prakashmallya.com/s/chai-and-chips-podcast Find Prakash on Medium: https://medium.com/@pmallya2411 All episode transcripts are available on Substack and Medium. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: The Legacy of a Semiconductor Pioneer 01:46 - The Personal Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur 04:51 - India's Grand Opportunity in a Fracturing World 16:35 - The People-First Leadership Philosophy 28:43 - Lightning Round with Raja Manikam 36:26 - The Next Wave of Innovation: Power, AI, and Local Solutions 48:42 - A Call to Action: The Role of Policy and the Private Sector 59:34 - Building the Foundation: Lessons on Talent & Ecosystem 1:03:08 - Concluding Vision: India's Inevitable Seat at the Global Table

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