Charles Phipps
Since joining Sevin Rosen Funds in 1987, Charles has worked with many entrepreneurs who fit this profile, helping to build thriving companies in several pivotal high-technology segments. He has worked with companies in the integrated circuit and solid-state industries, guiding such start-ups as Cyrix Corporation, Benchmarq Microelectroncs, Digital Furnace, and SiTera, to market success. More recently, he has focused on opportunities in the telecommunications and enterprise software and services areas. He currently sits on the board of EG Technology.
?Good entrepreneurs make all the difference. I?m always on the lookout for vision, positive energy, good listening skills, focus, an understanding of the marketplace, and the ability to solve problems. When it comes to funding early-stage ventures, people are 80 percent of the puzzle.?
Like his fellow SRF partners, Charles brings a wealth of related experience to his current assignments. Before joining the firm, Charles spent 30 years at Texas Instruments where his primary role was the development of new businesses driven by semi conductor and solid-state technologies. During his stint at TI, Charles consulted to the U.S. Department of Defense on the development of technology export policies and served on various committees for the Air Force and Defense Science Board.
"Engineers and entrepreneurs need to know the marketplace, what their customers are doing, what problems their customers are interested in solving over the next few years, and how to position their products against the competition. Not every venture has good answers to all of those issues, but it's critical that the entrepreneur has insights into each."
Charles utilizes his vast industry knowledge as advisory council for the University of Wisconsin School of Business and committee member to explore spin-offs from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the patent holding and licensing arm and tech transfer activity for the university.