Eminent Indian-American engineer and entrepreneur Shri Vinod Dham, widely acclaimed as the “Father of the Pentium Chip”, has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his groundbreaking work in the field of Science and Engineering.
Born in Pune and an alumnus of Delhi College of Engineering, Dham rose to global prominence through his pioneering contributions at Intel Corporation, where he led the development of the Pentium microprocessor, a cornerstone of the modern computing era. His work revolutionized the personal computer industry, powering millions of systems worldwide and marking a generational leap in processing power.
Beyond Intel, Dham made significant contributions at NexGen, Silicon Spice, and NewPath Ventures, where he played a vital role in shaping the next wave of semiconductor and tech startups. As a venture capitalist, he has mentored and funded numerous high-growth technology ventures across the US and India.
A firm believer in giving back, Dham recently partnered with the Delhi Technological University (DTU) to establish the Vinod Dham Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors, fostering research and innovation in India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. He also serves as an advisor to India’s Semiconductor Mission, guiding policy and talent development in advanced chip manufacturing.
Reacting to the honour, Dham said:
“This award is not just mine—it belongs to every Indian engineer and innovator striving to make a mark. I hope this inspires the next generation to dream big and build globally impactful technology.”
With this recognition, Shri Vinod Dham joins a distinguished league of Indian-origin technologists whose work has had a profound global impact. His Padma Bhushan celebrates not only a storied past but also a future vision rooted in innovation, collaboration, and national pride.
