Corporate Information

Move fast and build things

Who We Are

We are a team of accomplished technology professionals with deep experience in semiconductors, software, systems, and development tools. A common desire to re-think and re-build methods of semiconductor R&D brought us together. We are driven by a passion to transform our own industry.

What We Do

Simply put we are developing and deploying an automated AI software-based platform that delivers custom integrated circuit designs 100X faster than legacy teams and flows. Our focus is on analog/mixed-signal applications which have been historically resistant to automation. We have achieved the 'impossible'.

Why

The chip industry has transformed the world on its way to becoming a $1T market.  But more recently, R&D innovation has stagnated, the analog talent pool has shrunk, and development costs and schedules have grown.. a perfect storm that is limiting growth.  At Celera we believe breaking down the 'R&D barrier' will unlock many billions of dollars in new opportunities, especially as systems companies become chip companies.  At Celera we want to help the entire electronics industry continue to revolutionize the world - only faster.
our team

Meet Our Team

Patrick Brockett

CEO
LinkedIn

Mr. Brockett is a veteran of the global semiconductor industry. He began his career in Sales and Marketing with Texas Instruments. Then at National Semiconductor he was Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, and credited with turning around the core analog business.

Later he was CEO of the venture-backed programmable analog startup Summit Microelectronics. The company led the mobile industry for ultra-fast battery charging and was purchased by Qualcomm for $350M.

Calum MacRae

CTO
LinkedIn

Calum MacRae has 25+ years of experience in semiconductor power design for consumer, industrial, and automotive applications.

Most recently Mr. MacRae has also been focused on design productivity and automation tools to support the fast development of SoC’s. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Engineering and 4 patents.

Alberto Viviani

COO
LinkedIn

Alberto Viviani has over 25years of experience in analog electronics, delivering innovative solutions for cloud and AI applications with cutting-edge power management technologies.

Previously, Mr. Viviani was Managing Director & General Manager, Cloud Power Business at Analog Devices. He has also held executive leadership positions at Maxim and IML. He received his MS in Electronic Engineering from Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy.

Hirshol Pheir

VP Engineering
LinkedIn

Hirshol Pheir has 30+ years of experience in software design, development, and testing. Most recently, he was developing ETL tools for NewStore.com.

He also founded Zuma Innovations, which created software to automate circuit testing of aerospace vehicles. Hirshol also co-founded Benedor, LLC - a company focused on secure online transactions - where he received the first of his patents.

Karen Mason

Physical Design
LinkedIn

Karen Mason has 20+ years experience in IC layout design focused on time to market and size optimization.

Ms. Mason has done contract work for several startups including Woodside, Berkana Wireless, and Velio as well as working at industry leaders Maxim Integrated and National Semiconductor. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and multiple awards.

James LoCascio

Systems
LinkedIn

James LoCascio has 40+ years of experience in semiconductor power design for automotive, military, consumer, and industrial applications.

Most recently Mr. LoCascio has been focused on design productivity and frontend automation tools to support the fast development of SoCs. He holds a Master's degree in Electronic Engineering and 20+ patents.

Richard Philpott

Circuit Design
LinkedIn

Richard Philpott has 35+ years of experience in semiconductor design and testing focused primarily on power products.

Most recently Mr. Philpott has been focused on design productivity and IP reuse to enable the fast development and test of SoCs. He holds a Master's degree in Electronic Engineering and 2 patents.

John Mason

Tools
LinkedIn

John Mason has 30+ years of experience in semiconductor, design, process development, and design automation.

Mr. Mason's career has been focused on developing EDA design methodologies and flows for analog/mixed-signal and photonics IC's. He holds a Bachelors degree in Electronic Engineering and 5 patents.

Grant Brown

Validation
LinkedIn

Grant Brown has 30+ years of experience in semiconductor product engineering and project management with focus on validation and optimization of IC products for manufacture within the consumer, industrial and automotive industries.

Starting his career at National Semiconductor (UK), Grant went on to work at Linear Technology and Analog Devices in the US. He holds a BS in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Glasgow.

our team

Advisors

Peter Moran

LinkedIn

Pete Moran is an Independent investor in deep technology, digital health and wellness. Previously, Pete was a managing partner at DCM Ventures for 21 years. Peter's oversight took DCM from infancy to one of the largest trans-Pacific Venture firms now managing more than $5 billion across offices in Silicon Valley, Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai - with over 88+ IPO/M&A outcomes including 30+ companies valued north of $1B.  Prior to joining DCM, Pete worked with Arrow Electronics, McKinsey & Co., Hewlett-Packard, and KLA Instruments.

William Portelli

LinkedIn

Mr. Portelli has led technology companies as a CEO, Advisor, and Board Director to create billions of dollars of revenue and enterprise value.  Leveraging deep mixed-signal IC development and IT experience, Portelli has founded and led early stage through Fortune 1000 companies including electronic design and automation market leaders Cadence and CCT.  William was awarded the Davos Technology Pioneer Award by the World Economic Forum for industry leadership in cloud computing, DevOps, and open source.

Michael White

LinkedIn

Michael White has over three decades of experience in the semiconductor and clean technology industries. Beginning in technical sales at National Semiconductor, his 20-year tenure with the company included senior executive roles in sales, strategic planning, and P&L management. Mike has served on corporate boards, held leadership positions as a founding CEO and C-level positions in technology companies. He has also provided key contributions to private equity diligence and valuation processes. He earned his BS/EE from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.