Over Half of U.S. Chip Firms Led by Foreign-Born CEOs

A new report by the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) — representing over 84% of the $662 billion global semiconductor market — reveals that nearly half of all U.S.-based semiconductor companies are now led by foreign-born CEOs. The finding underscores the vital role of international talent in steering America’s most strategic technology sector, one that powers advancements in AI, 5G, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Notable among these leaders is Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born founder and CEO of Nvidia, whose GPUs have fueled the global AI revolution. Likewise, Sundar Pichai, hailing from Tamil Nadu, India, rose from an H-1B visa holder to the CEO of Google, while Satya Nadella, from Hyderabad, became the visionary head of Microsoft after a similar journey. These leaders exemplify how immigrant expertise continues to shape the direction of U.S. innovation.

The report’s timing aligns with renewed policy debates over U.S. immigration and talent retention. Industry analysts warn that restrictive visa policies could weaken America’s competitive edge in a sector central to global technology supply chains.

As semiconductor demand surges worldwide, the success of U.S. chipmakers increasingly depends on their ability to attract, empower, and retain global talent—a reminder that innovation thrives where diversity and opportunity intersect.