Competing for the Future: How Digital Innovations are Changing the World

Description

Everybody knows that digital technology has revolutionised our economy and our lifestyles. But how many of us really understand the drivers behind the technology - the significance of going digital; the miniaturization of circuit boards; the role of venture capital in financing the revolution; the importance of research and development? How many of us understand what it takes to make money from innovative technologies? Should we worry about manufacturing going offshore? What is the role of India and China in the digital economy? Drawing on a lifetime's experience in the industry, as an engineer, a senior manager and as a partner in a venture capital firm, Henry Kressel offers an expert personalized answer to all these questions. He explains how the technology works, why it matters, how it is financed and what the key lessons are for public policy.

Henry Kressel is Managing Director of Warburg Pincus, LLC. He began his career at RCA laboratories where he pioneered the first practical semiconductor lasers. He was the founding president of the IEEE Laser and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS) and co-founded the IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology. He is the recipient of many awards and honors, a fellow of the American Physical Society and the holder of 31 issued US patents for electronic and optoelectronic devices. Thomas V. Lento is Founder and President of Intercomm, Inc.

'Competing for the Future is a must-read for anybody interested in applying science to the marketplace, whether it be the entrepreneur, the technical researcher, the investor, or the manufacturing floor supervisor. Dr Kressel's 50-year historical perspective is literally one-of-a-kind, given his pioneering place in history at the beginnings of laser technology, semiconductor transistor manufacturing, and the venture capital industry.' Alan Willner, Professor of Electrical Engineering Systems, University of Southern California 'Competing for the Future tells the story of unparalleled innovation. And when put in a global context, it gives the reader a deeper understanding of the roles that technologists, venture capitalists, markets, industries and governments played in this technological revolution. Dr. Kressel has not only written an excellent book - he lived it, as a contributor and catalyst of important innovations. This is important reading for anyone strategizing about the future of high tech innovation.' Michael C. Thurk, President, Global Communications Solutions 'Henry Kressel takes us from the physics of transistors and solid state lasers to the financing of the companies that created the information technology and communications revolution with a breadth of expertise that is truly astonishing. As a key player himself, his insight is invaluable in explaining what has led to success and why today it is the small companies funded by private equity and venture capital that have largely supplanted the big corporations in creating genuinely new technology.' Lord Broers, University of Cambridge and Chairman, House of Lords Select Committee for Science and Technology '... a must-read for anybody interested in applying science to the marketplace, whether it be the entrepreneur, the technical researcher, the investor, and the manufacturing floor supervisor. Dr. Kressel's 50-year historical perspective is literally one-of-a-kind, given his pioneering place in history at the beginnings of laser technology, semiconductor transistor manufacturing, and the venture capital industry.' Alan Willner, Professor of Electrical Engineering Systems, University of Southern California and President, IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society '...essential reading for scientifically astute industrial leaders, entrepreneurs, academicians, venture capitalists, plant managers, researchers, and government officials involved in the innovation process. It will be invaluable in planning new innovations and assessing the viability of various options in the planning process itself. It will surely join the list of must read books at leading business schools throughout the world.' L. David Pye, Dean Emeritus, The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University 'At a time when 'innovation' has become an industry and political buzzword, Henry Kressel provides a comprehensive, clear-headed and insightful survey of the rise of digital electronics, how it has transformed society over the last half century and where digital electronics might take us - for better or worse - in the next 50 years.' George Leopold, Director, EE Times Network