Bio

Irwin joined USVP in 1990 as a general partner with significant investment experience: as CEO of Monolithic Memories, he led his firm's investments in successful startups such as Cypress Semiconductor, Xilinx and Altera. During his tenure as CEO from 1978 to 1987, Irwin spearheaded MMI's turnaround from virtual bankruptcy to a $250 million revenue organization. When MMI merged with Advanced Micro Devices, Irwin assumed the post of Vice Chairman of AMD. He is a former Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association and served as a board member of the National Venture Capital Association. As an ex-CEO, and someone who has enjoyed a collegial relationship with many CEOs over the years, he is certain of one thing: CEOs run their companies; not Boards, not investors. Irwin was a founding or lead investor in BeVocal, Blue Martini, Check Point Software Technologies, Centillium Communications, Crescendo Communications, Mellanox Technologies, MMC Networks, NeoMagic, Netro, Nuance Communications, Quick Logic, SanDisk and TelCom Semiconductor. Irwin received a BS in Economics from Brooklyn College and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering Science from Santa Clara University. He was a recipient of the Anti-Defamation League's Torch of Liberty, the Exemplary Community Leadership Award from the Silicon Valley Conference for Community and Justice, and was installed in Junior Achievement’s Silicon Valley Hall of Fame. He serves as a Trustee of the San Francisco Ballet and of his alma mater, Brooklyn College.