Leaders

People often say that the right people make everything fall into place, but in specialized fields like semiconductor design, the right people don’t just appear, they must be nurtured. Smitha BMV, Founder of Kyros Semi understands this deeply, which is why through her ventures, she is actively shaping the next generation of engineers by bridging industry-academia gaps, fostering niche expertise, and redefining how they are trained.

Smitha began her journey in VLSI design when she was handpicked and mentored by Late Dr S.S. Mahant Shetty, Founder of Karmic. Starting as a niche digital designer in a startup, Saankhya Labs, she gained end-to-end exposure, honing her skills before moving to Intel, where she became an architect, driving innovation on a global scale.

Smitha’s entrepreneurial spirit, evident since her college days, led her to establish Kyros Semi through which she aims to build experts in niche areas of semiconductor design. A firm believer in leading by example, she continues to mentor engineers, uphold quality-driven solutions, and challenge conventional industry norms, hoping to make a lasting impact on India’s technological landscape.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine, Smitha divulges the intricate facets of her journey as a prominent leader in the country. Let's explore further.

How did your time at BITS Pilani shape your personal and professional growth?

BITS Pilani is a technology-driven institute that has consistently upheld the highest standards of quality in education. The availability of expert faculty members ensured that we received top-notch technical knowledge.

The institute also fosters a dynamic peer environment that encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation. The focus on real-world applications and hands-on projects prepared me to confidently step into the professional life. Even today, the strong alumni network is a source of constant support and inspiration.

Can you walk us through your journey as a digital designer?

I began my journey as a digital designer, or RTL designer which is a niche role in the semiconductor industry. With quality RTL designers being significantly fewer in number comparitively, I was fortunate to work on a product right after college, gaining hands-on experience in the entire chip development lifecycle beyond just design.

As I progressed, I transitioned from design to writing specifications and eventually became an architect. This allowed me to innovate, improve existing solutions, and develop new approaches to address technical gaps. One of my key breakthroughs was introducing architectural improvements in my roles, which were recognized and adopted globally.

Over the years, I have honed communication and collaboration skills, effectively working across teams and geographies. Writing precise specifications, translating high-level concepts into technical blueprints, creating engineering solutions in real time and conducting early-stage experiments have been key strengths.

What inspired you to establish Kyros Semi and Vivartan Technologies?

The entrepreneurial spirit has been in me since my graduation days, where I actively led technical forums, actively organized paper presentations, and projects. My passion for solving real-world problems stayed with me throughout my career, and when the opportunity arose, I decided to foray into entrepreneurship. Currently, the need for quality engineers is pivotal.

I co-founded Vivartan Technologies with my husband to bridge the gap between industry and academia. We noticed that many engineering graduates, even from top institutions, lacked industry-relevant skills, especially in VLSI. To address this, Vivartan Technologies focuses on training and mentoring engineers so that they are equipped for real-world industry engineering requirements.

Kyros Semi, on the other hand, is my independent venture through which I aim to develop expert in niche areas such as digital design, RF, and analog design while also delivering end-to-end design solutions. My vision is to move beyond traditional service models and position India as a global leader in semiconductor design.

What are your primary roles and focus areas in driving the growth of your companies?

My primary role is to build a sustainable, high-quality talent pool by personally overseeing training, project leadership, and technical reviews. I focus on upholding the vision and mission of my companies to ensure innovation, excellence, and long-term impact in the semiconductor industry.

How do you see women’s participation in STEM evolving in India, and how do institutions like BITS Pilani support future women STEM professionals?

Women’s participation in STEM in India has grown significantly over the years, though it still hasn’t reached the levels seen in Western countries. More women are entering the field, but there’s still a need for greater representation, especially in product development and entrepreneurship.

Institutions like BITS Pilani play a crucial role in this transformation. One of the things I have always admired about BITS is that it treats engineers as engineers, without differentiating based on gender. The institution provides equal opportunities, fosters technical excellence, and encourages women to pursue long-term careers in STEM.

I believe more women will confidently foray into STEM and entrepreneurship in India with the right mindset, support, and infrastructure.

Smitha BMV, Founder, KYROS SEMI

Smitha BMV, Founder of Kyros Semi, has 18 years of experience in IC design, architecture, RTL design, and synthesis. She holds an M.Tech in Microelectronics from BITS Pilani and a B.E. in Electronics and Instrumentation from UBDT College of Engineering. She has led IP, SoC, and product development at Intel, Saankhya Labs, and Karmic.

Awards and Recognitions won: Co-authored a U.S. Patent