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陈大同|芯片往事(续)
投资界·2025-09-04 06:58

Core Viewpoint - The article reflects on the evolution of the semiconductor industry in China, highlighting the transition from entrepreneurship to venture capital investment, and the establishment of educational institutions like Dongfang University of Technology, while emphasizing the importance of localizing operations for companies like OmniVision. Group 1: Transition to Venture Capital - After the IPO of Spreadtrum Communications in 2007, the author transitioned to the emerging high-tech venture capital industry in China, recognizing the critical role of venture capital in fostering innovation [4][5] - The author joined Northern Light Venture Capital in 2008, marking a significant shift from being an entrepreneur to becoming an investor, akin to moving from an athlete to a coach [4][5] Group 2: Semiconductor Industry Development - The establishment of the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund in 2014 marked a pivotal moment for the semiconductor industry in China, leading to substantial government and social capital investment [10][11] - The fund's support has significantly increased domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity and facilitated breakthroughs in key technologies, contributing to the rapid growth of the industry [10][11][12] Group 3: Formation of Investment Teams - The author, along with other Tsinghua alumni, formed Huashan Capital in 2009 to invest in high-tech startups, focusing on overcoming "bottleneck" technologies in the semiconductor sector [8][9] - The team successfully invested in several semiconductor companies, with five out of six companies from the first two funds going public [8][9] Group 4: OmniVision's Privatization and Return - In 2013, Tsinghua Unigroup's acquisition of Spreadtrum Communications initiated a trend of Chinese companies returning from overseas listings, with OmniVision also considering similar moves [18][19] - The author played a role in facilitating the acquisition of OmniVision, which involved complex negotiations and strategic partnerships [19][20] Group 5: Challenges in the Domestic Market - The failed attempt to list OmniVision through a backdoor listing with Junzheng Technology highlighted the complexities and challenges of navigating the domestic capital market [32][33] - The competitive landscape intensified with the entry of major players like Sony and Samsung, necessitating a shift in OmniVision's strategy to localize operations and develop domestic partnerships [36][37] Group 6: Leadership Transition and Future Directions - The need for a leadership transition at OmniVision became apparent as the founder's age and experience in the domestic market posed challenges [41][42] - A new leadership team was established to guide the company through its localization efforts and operational improvements, ensuring its competitiveness in the semiconductor industry [41][42]