ACQ2 by Acquired The Software Behind Silicon (with Synopsys Founder Aart de Geus and CEO Sassine Ghazi)
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May 6, 2024 
In this discussion, Aart de Geus, co-founder of Synopsys, and CEO Sassine Ghazi dive into the software behind the semiconductor industry. They explore how Electronic Design Automation (EDA) has evolved with AI, revolutionizing chip design. Challenges from early design limitations to modern complexities are highlighted, alongside the impact of Moore's Law. The conversation also touches on advancements in EUV lithography, custom silicon design, and the importance of corporate culture in driving innovation and social responsibility in tech.
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Synopsys's Accidental Beginning
- Aart de Geus accidentally founded Synopsys after being laid off from General Electric.
- His team of seven, mostly summer students, spun out innovative design tools, including synthesis.
Early Synthesis Advantages
- Early Synopsys's synthesis tool optimized circuits for size and speed, a key differentiator.
- This allowed for smaller circuits with shorter critical paths, surprising and delighting early customers.
Sassine Ghazi's First Synopsys Encounter
- Sassine Ghazi first encountered Synopsys's tools during his PhD in VLSI design.
- He later used them at Intel, where manual verification of synthesized designs was still common.