1980/B.Tech/CH Founder and CEO Seabed VC USA
Mr. Vijay Ullal is a luminary whose achievements span remarkable contributions in both the non-profit and professional spheres. As a member of the Board of Trustees at the Santa Fe Institute since November 2019, he has played a pivotal role in funding and advancing research in the intricate study of Complex Systems. His active involvement on the Finance Committee has been instrumental in steering strategic financial decisions, underlining his commitment to scholarly progress.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the IIT Madras Foundation from January 2015 to September 2019, Vijay Ullal’s exceptional leadership and vision resulted in the successful raising of approximately $15 million in endowments. This substantial contribution has significantly bolstered educational initiatives, affirming his dedication to fostering academic excellence.
As a Board Member at the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund from January 2017 to August 2018, Vijay Ullal’s impact was profound, exemplified by his instrumental role in funding and mentoring innovative startups within the MIT ecosystem. His commitment to nurturing emerging talent and groundbreaking ideas is commendable.
Vijay Ullal’s enduring commitment to charitable causes is evidenced through his role as a Trustee at the Sita Foundation since 2000. His unwavering dedication to philanthropic endeavours in education, health (with a special focus on cancer research), and women’s rights stands as a testament to his compassionate spirit and commitment to societal welfare.
On the professional front, as the Founder of Seabed VC since March 2015, Vijay Ullal has demonstrated unparalleled acumen in early-stage tech investments. His diversified portfolio, encompassing over 50 companies across pioneering fields such as Web3, ML/AI, robotics, and the creator economy, has achieved an impressive Asset Under Management (AUM) exceeding $100 million, showcasing a top 1 percentile IRR.
During his tenure as President & COO at Fairchild Semiconductor from September 2012 to November 2014, Vijay Ullal’s visionary leadership spearheaded radical changes that not only significantly improved company margins but also facilitated entry into promising new product areas. His strategic prowess led to a remarkable two-fold increase in the company’s market capitalization, indicative of his transformative impact.
As Group President at Maxim Integrated from 1990 to April 2012, Vijay Ullal played a pivotal role in the company’s meteoric growth from $50 million to $2.5 billion in revenue. His leadership in all manufacturing operations facilitated the attainment of world-leading mixed signal technology at an industry-leading cost. Notably, his strategic initiatives directly fueled a three-fold revenue surge in the consumer segment to $1 billion and formulated a winning automotive segment strategy, positioning it as Maxim’s most critical market.
For his exceptional achievements, unwavering dedication, and transformative impact across non-profit and professional domains, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and its alumni are proud to confer Mr. Vijay Ullal with the DAA (Distinguished Alumni Award for 2023).
