Dado Banatao facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Diosdado Banatao
|
|
|---|---|
Banatao on a 2021 stamp of Philippines
|
|
| Born | May 23, 1946 Iguig, Cagayan, Philippines
|
| Died | December 25, 2025 (aged 79) |
| Citizenship |  Philippines |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation | Founder & Managing Partner of Tallwood Venture Capital, CEO of Ikanos Communications, Chairman of Philippine Development Foundation |
| Known for | single-chips, PHY chips |
| Board member of | T-RAM Semiconductor, Inc., Inphi Corporation, Alphion Corporation, Sirf Technology Inc., Quintic Corporation, Wilocity Ltd., Integrated Micro-Electronics |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Cariaga |
| Parent(s) | Salvador and Rosita Banatao |
Diosdado P. Banatao (born May 23, 1946 – died December 25, 2025) was a brilliant Filipino engineer and entrepreneur. He was a pioneer in the world of computer technology. He helped create important parts for computers that made them faster and better. For example, he developed the first special chip for Ethernet, which helps computers connect to networks. He also created key parts for early IBM personal computers and made graphics on computers much smoother. He started several successful technology companies, showing how innovation can change the world.
Contents
The Early Life of a Tech Pioneer
Diosdado Banatao was born on May 23, 1946, in a town called Iguig, Cagayan in the Philippines. His father, Salvador, was a rice farmer, and his mother, Rosita, took care of their home.
Diosdado's childhood was a story of overcoming challenges. He often walked barefoot to his elementary school, Malabbac Elementary School. He then attended Ateneo de Tuguegarao for high school. After that, he studied Electrical Engineering at the Mapúa Institute of Technology, where he graduated with honors.
After college, Diosdado had many job offers. He even trained as a pilot for Philippine Airlines. Later, he moved to the United States and worked at Boeing as a design engineer. There, he helped design the famous Boeing 747 airplane.
While in the U.S., he continued his education. He earned a master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University in 1972. He also joined a group called the Homebrew Computer Club. This was a special place where he met future tech legends like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
After his studies, Diosdado worked at several technology companies. He helped create the first calculator that used a single 16-bit microprocessor. In 1981, he made a groundbreaking discovery at Seeq Technology. He developed the first special chip that allowed computers to connect to networks using Ethernet. He also invented the first "system logic chip set" for early IBM personal computers. These chips were like the brain of the computer, helping all its parts work together. He also created one of the first chips that made computer graphics much faster and smoother.
Building Tech Companies
Starting New Businesses and Innovations
Diosdado Banatao was not just an inventor; he was also a successful businessman. He was known for starting new companies, often called "start-ups."
In 1984, he and his partner, Francis Siu, started a company called Mostron. They began with $500,000 and focused on making "motherboards." Motherboards are the main circuit boards inside computers that connect all the parts.
Soon after, in 1985, he co-founded Chips and Technologies. This company created special "chip sets" for IBM's early personal computers. These chips helped the computers run smoothly. The company quickly became very successful, earning $12 million in just four months! It later became a publicly traded company, meaning people could buy shares of it.
In 1989, Diosdado started his third company, S3 Graphics, in Santa Clara, California. S3 Graphics aimed to make computer graphics much better. They did this by inventing a special "graphic accelerator chip" and a "local bus." These inventions made images and videos on computers look amazing. S3 Graphics also grew very fast and became a leader in the graphics chip market.
Later, in 1996, his company Chips & Technologies was sold to Intel for about $300 million.
In 2000, he decided to start his own investment company called Tallwood Venture Capital. He used $300 million of his own money to help other promising technology companies grow. He even sold another company he helped build for over $1 billion, even though it had fewer than 20 employees!
He also played a role at SiRF, a company that helped make GPS technology available for everyday use, like in your phones and cars.
In 2010, Diosdado became the CEO of Ikanos Communications, another technology company.
Giving Back to the Community
Diosdado Banatao believed in helping others, especially young people interested in technology.
Through his Dado Banatao Educational Foundation in the Philippines, he gave five scholarships every year. These scholarships helped bright Filipino students study engineering and technology.
He also led the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev). This foundation helped many talented young Filipinos get an education and achieve their dreams.
In California, his Banatao Filipino American Fund supported high school students of Filipino background. It helped them go to college to study engineering.
He even built a modern computer center at his old elementary school in Iguig. This made it one of the most advanced public schools in the Philippines for computer learning.
Recognizing Achievements and Contributions
Diosdado Banatao received many awards for his amazing work and contributions.
- In 1993, he received the Asian Leadership Award from the Asian Business League of San Francisco.
- In 1997, the Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos honored him with the Pamana ng Filipino Award. This award recognizes Filipinos living abroad who have achieved great success.
- Also in 1997, he was named Master Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine, and Merrill Lynch. This award celebrated his skill in starting and growing businesses.
- In 2011, he received the Kalampusan Award for Corporate Achievement from Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).
- In 2018, he was given the Ramon V. Del Rosario Award for Nation Building.
He was also recognized on The Forbes Midas List several times between 2002 and 2006. This list highlights the top venture capital investors in technology.
In 2009, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology awarded him an honorary Doctor of Technology degree. This was a special recognition for his impact on technology.
