TEAM
Mike Gagnon has focused on network infrastructure, wireless and semiconductor technologies during his career, which includes $450M in IPO, merger and acquisition value, $500M+ in equity financings and $2,600M increased shareholder value.
Prior to Pinestream, Mike co-founded GTV Capital, which he subsequently merged with Vista Ventures. In addition to investments in SiGe Semiconductor, DAFCA and SOSI (acq. by TranSwitch), he has evaluated hundreds of companies throughout the semiconductor and comm/IT ecosystem.
He has also served as President of Acacia Networks, VP of Sales & Marketing at Anadigics (IPO, ANAD) and held several executive positions with Analog Devices (ADI) and TRW LSI Products (acq. by Motorola). Earlier in his career, Mike held marketing and design engineering position in RF products at TRW RF Semiconductors and Hughes Aircraft Company, respectively.
Mike has participated in numerous venture review committees, including NSTI (nanotechnology), MIT entrepreneur forums and is co-chairman of TiE's Semiconductor & Manufacturing Forum. He is also a charter member in the entrepreneur venture mentor program at UMASS.
He has an MBA from California State Univ., a BSEE from UMASS, studied strategic planning at Harvard Univ. and is a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute.
mgagnon@pinestreamadvisors.com
Cliff Hirsch has spent his entire career immersed in the communications and semiconductor industry as an analyst, publisher and sales & marketing executive. He has analyzed 4,000 private companies, tracks more than 150 public companies, is an L.P. in several venture capital funds, and is an active advisor for many companies in the semiconductor and next generation networks arenas.
As the founder of Pinestream Communications, he has tracked the industry's hottest startups and global leaders for the investment, entrepreneur and technology communities since 1996. Led by the flagship publication Semiconductor Times, Pinestream also produces Telecom Trends, which covers startups and emerging trends in the next generation Comm/IT arena.
Cliff spent the earlier years of his career in the semiconductor industry, where he has held engineering, sales and marketing leadership positions with companies such as AMD, Cypress Semiconductor, Alliance Semiconductor and General Instrument.
He is the founder and Chairman of the New England Semiconductor Executives Council, and serves as an active advisor and speaker for the Global Semiconductor Alliance (formerly the Fabless Semiconductor Association), Semiconductor Venture Fair, Dow Jones MicroVentures conference and TiE's Semiconductor & Manufacturing Forum. Hirsch is also a regular columnist for the GSA Forum.
Cliff is a graduate of Cornell University, with BSEE, MSEE and MBA degrees.
chirsch@pinestreamadvisors.com
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“Mike’s efforts in successfully selling our company far exceeded our expectations, particularly following a failed attempt by a traditional investment banking firm. His hands-on approach toward positioning the company, leading discussions with potential acquirers, negotiating skills and subsequent due diligence support were second to none.” – R.O., CTO (power management IC company with $25M invested from 3 VCs)
“Mike drove a strong process, was very creative and a skilled negotiator in selling one of our portfolio companies. We look forward to working with him again.” — D.F., Managing Director (venture fund with $700M under management)
“Cliff is a primary source for identifying deals that we did not see and for finding out what happened to deals that we did see, but chose not to pursue.” — DL, Partner (venture fund with 20+ semiconductor investments & $1.9B under management)
“Cliff's analysis is very timely and insightful, and provides our firm with great market intelligence and a view of industry trends.” — DA, President & CEO (publicly traded semiconductor company with $800M revenue)
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