After decades in Silicon Valley, a former Apple and Amazon engineer started an AI chip company in his mid-50s

After spending decades in the competitive world of Silicon Valley, Stephen Huang, a former engineer at Apple and Amazon, has embarked on an ambitious journey to create an AI chip company. Inspired by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, particularly after the rise of ChatGPT in late 2022, Huang felt that the time was ripe to establish his long-held vision. At the age of 55, Huang founded Tranxform AI in Taiwan, aiming to develop energy-efficient processors capable of running AI models independently from massive data centers. With a team of approximately 40 employees, the startup is on track to unveil its first chip next year, a venture that Huang believes is well-timed amidst the booming demand for specialized AI hardware. Huang's extensive background includes significant roles in designing chips for MediaTek, contributing to Apple's Face ID technology, and working within Amazon's AI chip division. He sees his age not as a hindrance but as an asset, drawing parallels to Morris Chang, who founded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company at 55. Huang argues that the semiconductor industry values experience more than the software sector, stating, "Building a system-on-a-chip requires balancing countless trade-offs across hardware and software, a skill that takes years to master." Despite his established career and comfort in the U.S., Huang made the bold decision to relocate to Taiwan to pursue his startup dreams, a choice that initially posed challenges for his family. However, as Tranxform began to achieve important milestones, their perspective shifted, and they grew proud of his accomplishments. The timing of Huang's venture also benefited from his sons' independence, allowing him to focus his energy on building the company. "The demand for specialized AI hardware is expected to keep rising as firms seek faster, more energy-efficient solutions for complex models," he noted. Venture funding for AI and machine-learning chip startups has surged, increasing by 70% to $16.2 billion in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to PitchBook. However, the total number of deals has decreased, indicating that investors are focusing their resources on fewer, promising companies. As of mid-2023, funding amounts reached $9.9 billion with 87 deals completed. Huang's experiences in Silicon Valley, particularly the struggle to retain talent against major tech players like Google and Nvidia, led him to establish his company in Taiwan's chip hub of Hsinchu. Here, he hopes to build a more stable engineering team, including his college classmate Way-Shing Lee, who joined as chief technology officer after retiring from Qualcomm. While the transition from a stable career to startup life has been challenging, Huang is committed to the process of fundraising, recruitment, and customer engagement. He acknowledges the difficulties ahead but remains optimistic about the future, stating, "The biggest opportunities in AI are likely still to come. The industry is probably just getting started."