Who Is Lip-Bu Tan? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lip-Bu Tan was born on November 12, 1959, which makes him 65 years old as of 2025. He is an American business executive, renowned for his leadership roles in the semiconductor industry. Tan is best known as the CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a pivotal player in electronic design automation (EDA). With a career spanning decades in tech management, Tan has made significant contributions to the advancement of technology and innovation, positioning himself as a leader in the field.
| Occupation | Business Executive |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1959 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Place | Muar, Johor, Federation of Malaya |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country |
Popularity
Lip-Bu Tan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific physical details such as height and weight for Lip-Bu Tan are not publicly cited, he is generally seen as a respectable figure in corporate settings. His measures of success are reflected more prominently in his business acumen rather than physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Lip-Bu Tan tends to keep his personal life private, and there’s limited information available regarding his family and relationships. As of 2025, there are no verified reports concerning a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. His focus remains on his professional endeavors, which can dominate his public persona.
His father was the chief editor of a Malaysian Chinese daily newspaper called Nanyang Siang Pau and his mother was a teacher. Tan was educated in neighbouring Singapore; he graduated from Nanyang University (merged with the National University of Singapore in 1980) with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics.
Tan then moved to the United States and completed a Master of Science in nuclear engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Tan began his doctoral studies in nuclear engineering at MIT.
However, after the 1979 Three Mile Island accident and the subsequent sharp reduction in opportunities in the nuclear industry, Tan left MIT and moved to the University of San Francisco in California, where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Lip-Bu Tan's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $100 million. This estimation comes from his extensive career in high-level positions in several major technology companies. As CEO of Cadence Design Systems, he earns a substantial salary, which adds significantly to his wealth. His financial achievements are a result of both his salary and strategic investments in the tech sector.
On February 10, 2004, the Cadence Design Systems board of directors elected Tan to the board. Tan became interim co-CEO of Cadence Design Systems in October 2008, following the resignation of Michael Fister in October 2008. The Cadence board formally named Tan president and CEO effective January 8, 2009.
Under Tan's leadership, Cadence grew its net worth to $1.3 billion by 2012, including $440 million in that year alone. Cadence also expanded its Shanghai office in 2012. In 2013, Cadence purchased private chip design company Tensilica for $380 million. On November 16, 2017, Tan dropped the title of president while remaining CEO of Cadence.
He stepped down as CEO and became executive chairman in 2021. He stepped down from the office of executive chairman of Cadence in 2023.
Career, Business and Investments
Tan's professional journey is marked by significant milestones and accomplishments. He has held key executive positions at prominent companies, including serving as the CEO of Cadence Design Systems since 2009. Under his leadership, Cadence has achieved remarkable growth and innovation, becoming a leader in EDA and design tools for electronics.
In addition to his role at Cadence, Tan has made a name for himself as an investor in various tech startups and ventures, further diversifying his portfolio. His strategic investments in cutting-edge technology firms have not only solidified his status as a business magnate but have also contributed to the evolution of the industry.
Lip-Bu Tan (born November 12, 1959) is a Malayan-born American business executive and entrepreneur. As of 18 March 2025, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Intel Corporation. He also serves as chairman of Walden International, a venture capital firm. He was the longtime CEO of Cadence Design Systems from 2009 to 2021.
Social Network
Tan is active on various social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, where he shares insights on technology and business practices. While he may not be a frequent user of more casual platforms like Instagram or Twitter, his professional presence allows him to connect with industry leaders and innovators.
Tan was a manager at EDS Nuclear and ECHO Energy and partner at the Walden USA investment fund before founding venture capital firm Walden International in 1987.
He named the firm after the book Walden by Henry David Thoreau because Tan's goal was to be like Thoreau: "contrarian, rather than just following the trend." For growing the company from $20 million upon its founding to $2 billion by 2001 by focusing its investments in Asian tech startups, Forbes dubbed Tan "the pioneer of Asian VC" in 2001.
In the years since, Walden has deepened its investment focus on China: from 2017-2020, the company made at least 25 investments in Chinese chip companies, "accounting for more than 40% of the Chinese semiconductor deals involving U.S.
venture investors during that period" while Tan, through Walden, "has invested in hundreds of Chinese tech firms, including at least eight with links to the People's Liberation Army." In 2023, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent a letter to Tan in which the committee raised its concerns about Walden’s investments in Chi
nese tech companies, including those "that the Commerce Department has blacklisted for involvement in human-rights abuses or Chinese military uses." A report from the same committee "found that Walden’s internal documents cited the Chinese government’s prioritization of semiconductors as a reason to invest in the sector."
Education
Lip-Bu Tan attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He later pursued a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his successful career in technology and business management.
In November 2019, Tan and Cadence Design Systems endowed two computer science professorships for $3 million each at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
In June 2024, Tan has pledged a gift of S$3 million to Nanyang Technology University, Singapore to set up a new professorship in artificial intelligence (AI), to attract talents and support the advancement of research and education at NTU’s College of Computing and Data Science.
