Silicon Valley Startup Executives Slain
Silicon Valley is grappling with the killings of several start-up executives at wireless semiconductor startup SiPort. On Friday, three top SiPort executives were allegedly gunned down by a former employee at the company’s Santa Clara, Calif., offices.
The three were Sid Agrawal, chief executive; Brian Pugh, vice president of operations; and Marilyn Lewis, human resources manager.
According to police reports, computer engineer Jing Hua Wu was terminated by SiPort on Friday morning and then requested a meeting with the three executives that afternoon. Wu allegedly shot and killed these officials at the meeting, and was later arrested by police on Saturday.
Founded in 2004, SiPort is backed by more than $30 million from venture capital firms Intel Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Morgenthaler Ventures and New Venture Partners.
Several investors reached by phone said their priority was ensuring the safety and well-being of the company’s employees and families, while continuing operations at the company. Investors also emphasized the strength of the company and said they were confident SiPort would continue growing. The investors and the company have been in contact with customers, suppliers and partners to reassure them.
Aiman Kabakibo, the company’s founder and chief executive, has returned to his role as CEO. Kabakibo had been senior vice president of engineering. The company has set up a charitable fund in honor of the victims.
Agrawal had joined the company in 2004 as CEO. Agarwal built out the executive staff, helped raise venture funding and developed the early customer base, investors said. Pugh was vice president of operations and responsible for building out the company’s manufacturing operation. Lewis was human resources manager and handled a number of functions including recruiting, payroll and vendor management.
SiPort designs and markets semiconductors that allow devices to receive digital radio signals. The company focuses on high-definition radio, and its chips are used in MP3 players, navigation devices, mobile phones and car and portable radios that receive HD signals. In October the company began shipping its chips to customers for the first time.
-Tomio Geron, VentureWire
Source: WSJ.com: Business Technology