Oldest EDA firm Silvaco Positions Itself at the Forefront of Semiconductor Fab Technology Co-Optimization with AI and Digital Twins

In a keynote address at Silvaco’s SURGE 2026 virtual event, Dr. Walden “Wally” C. Rhines, Chief Executive Officer of Silvaco Group detailed his motivation for joining the company and presented a compelling vision for the future of semiconductor process development, specialized silicon IP, and artificial intelligence integration.

Rhines, who assumed the CEO role in August 2025 after a distinguished career that includes leading Mentor Graphics (now Siemens EDA) for over two decades and serving as President and CEO of startup Cornami, described Silvaco as an ideal platform to drive innovation during a period of rapid technological change. “When you’re having fun, you’ve never had enough,” he remarked, emphasizing the satisfaction of building world-class capabilities alongside experienced teams and innovative customers.

Building on a Strong Foundation
With approximately 40 years of customer relationships, Silvaco is the oldest public EDA company and maintains deep expertise in Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD), where it ranks as the number-two provider globally. The company also offers a robust portfolio of specialized semiconductor IP.

Rhines highlighted Silvaco’s niche leadership within la...