Virata Corporation

Virata Corporation is an inactive acquired company that was a major contributor to the "Cambridge Phenomenon" or Silicon Fen high-tech cluster in the United Kingdom. Case studies[1] and research papers[2] have been created to illustrate the role of social networking in the creation of Virata's success. There is also research available on the role the company played in Silicon Valley venture networks.[3]

Virata Corporation
TypePublic (Inactive Acquired)
IndustryFabless semiconductor company
Founded1998
HeadquartersSanta Clara, California
ProductsHelium
Argon
Solos
ISOS
The Helium 210-80 chipset is typical of the dual-ARM core platform used by Virata at that time
Timeline

The company was originally founded by Andy Hopper and Hermann Hauser in 1993 as Advanced Telecommunication Modules Ltd, and in February 1998 the company changed its name to Virata Limited. The choice of name derived from a product family name used by ATML, but it was also derived from an Italian verb meaning "to change course" as used in the nautical context of "tacking" - making progress against a prevailing headwind.[4]

A typical product is the Helium 210-80 launched in August 2001.[5]

On May 25, 2001, the company opened a new European headquarters[6] on the Cambridge Science Park. A new building of 2,884 sq. metres (31,000sq ft) provided accommodation for over 90 staff, 3 lab areas (Chip Lab, Hardware Lab and Systems Test Lab) and a customer training suite. It also had a boardroom with a now-infamous table in the shape of a "V" and a presenter's podium in the shape of the "dot" over the "i" in the Virata logo.

GlobespanVirata continued to be the market leader in the DSL semiconductor market in 2002 with revenues of $226 million and 28% revenue market share.[7]

In an effort to reduce operating costs GlobespanVirata embarked on a series of site closures and employee headcount reduction. In August 2002, it closed the Raleigh[8] and Maynard offices, for example, and there were lay-offs at most sites.

References
  1. "Case Study by Professor John Mullins (London Business School)". Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  2. "Social capital in new venture creation" (PDF). Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  3. "Link Silicon Valley company summary". Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  4. "Wiktionary definition of Virata". Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  5. "Virata Launches Two New Processors For The Emerging Residential Gateway Market". Retrieved 3 September 2008.
  6. "Virata opens European HQ in Cambridge". 25 May 2001. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  7. "GlobespanVirata Secures #1 Position in 2002 DSL Semiconductor Market". Business Wire. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  8. Jones, Amanda (5 August 2002). "Closure of Raleigh site". Retrieved 2 September 2008.
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