9/22 >>> Immigrant Entrepreneur Thao Nguyen and TORmem to Support American Hardware Development While Nurturing Ties with Vietnam
Morgantown, WV – In an exclusive interview conducted by Trevor Swiger, Project Coordinator for Vantage Ventures, the organization had the opportunity to delve into the story of Thao Nguyen, an accomplished hardware engineer and entrepreneur, who embodies the spirit of an immigrant entrepreneur and his unwavering commitment to giving back to the community and shaping America’s technological future. Nguyen’s journey is a testament to his deep-rooted desire to contribute both to his adopted home and his cherished homeland of Vietnam.
Nguyen’s journey began when he immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, seeking opportunities and a brighter future. His determination and dedication were evident from the outset, as he pursued his college education, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla in 1985, and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University New York in 1988. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career that spans over 38 years in the field of hardware engineering.
His experience encompasses a multitude of renowned companies, including a pivotal role at IBM Poughkeepsie NY, where he worked as a VLSI application engineer on-chip logic design. Nguyen’s career path also led him to Facebook in 2010, where he played a pivotal role in the Open Compute Project (OCP) efforts, driving the development of cutting-edge server designs on a massive scale. His passion for building hardware to empower software solutions has been a driving force throughout his career, underpinned by his love for the craft.
Nguyen’s desire to support American hardware development while nurturing ties with Vietnam stems from his unyielding dedication to giving back to the community and shaping the future of technology in America. He firmly believes that the future lies in groundbreaking hardware designs, and his goal is to bridge the gap between hardware and software innovation to unlock the true potential of next-generation technology. Nguyen’s commitment to fostering American talent and expertise is driven by his belief that memory disaggregation, a game-changing innovation, requires groundbreaking hardware designs to complement software advancements fully. Throughout the interview, Nguyen highlighted the importance of his connection to Vietnam. He recognizes the growth and stability of Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, as well as the political and economic stability that paves the way for success.
However, before the true international journey became a reality, TORmem connected with Vantage Ventures. Vantage Ventures, nestled within the vibrant ecosystem of West Virginia University’s campus, has undeniably been the driving force behind TORmem’s remarkable journey according to Thao. Serving as a catalyst for TORmem, Vantage Ventures facilitated crucial connections, paved uncharted paths, and provided essential connections to funding opportunities and investors in the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship. Without the unwavering support of Vantage Ventures, TORmem’s ascent as a startup would have faced insurmountable challenges that caused most startups to falter. Moreover, it was through their partnership with Vantage Ventures that TORmem discovered the immense potential for growth and innovation within West Virginia. This newfound perspective has not only spurred TORmem to consider expanding its operations in the state but has also inspired the company to tap into the rich pool of talent amongst WVU students and West Virginia residents. Thao Nguyen, one of the visionary entrepreneurs behind TORmem, was noted extending his deepest gratitude to Vantage Ventures for their invaluable support, which has been instrumental in shaping the company’s trajectory and fostering its mission to revolutionize the hardware industry.
WIth the connection to Vantage Ventures and West Virginia in mind, Thao and the TORmem team set their eyes on international connections. Vietnam and the US have recently formed The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the purpose of creating peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The United States supports a strong, independent, prosperous, and resilient Vietnam. Nguyen is fully supportive of this partnership and is committed to bringing up a world-class TORmem manufacturing factory in the province of Binh Duong Vietnam.
Vietnam provides a stable foundation for growth, Nguyen sought a similar environment in his choice of location within the United States. West Virginia stood out to him due to its diligence and hardworking mindset, traits that he believes are vital for success. Nguyen recognized that West Virginia’s culture aligns with his values, and he saw an opportunity to harness the state’s potential and build a strong team of talented engineers.
Similarly, Nguyen’s entrepreneurial spirit is deeply intertwined with his aspirations for the future. His passion to contribute to the betterment of the industry, as well as America as a whole, is evident in his decision to start his own venture, TORmem. TORmem represents a true American corporation that aims to compete with international counterpart without compromising on the need for internal expertise in America. Nguyen envisions TORmem as a catalyst for driving America’s technological future, leveraging the expertise and talent pool available in West Virginia to create innovative hardware solutions that can revolutionize the industry. Directly supported, Nguyen’s dedication to giving back to the community is reflected in his children’s accomplishments. With a daughter who has become a distinguished obstetrician-gynecologist and a son on the path to becoming a family doctor, Nguyen’s commitment to nurturing talent and contributing to society is embedded within his family values. Their achievements serve as a testament to his determination to create a positive impact, not only within the technology industry but also within the communities he serves.
From the start to the end of the interview, Thao Nguyen’s journey as an immigrant entrepreneur is seen as one of resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to giving back. His vision to support American hardware development while nurturing ties with Vietnam demonstrates his desire to bridge gaps, foster collaboration, and contribute to the betterment of both nations. TORmem, his entrepreneurial venture, stands as a symbol of this dedication, with the mission to revolutionize the hardware industry and shape America’s technological future.
TORmem’s innovative approach is to create disaggregated memory appliances that contain vast amounts of RAM, and which are connected to the servers in a rack using very high-speed interconnection technologies. These technologies, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect Express Generation 5.0 (PCIe 5.0) and Compute Express Link (CXL), are significantly faster than Ethernet or other more traditional technologies used to interconnect servers, allowing the memory within the TORmem appliance to be used by each server almost as if that same RAM were installed locally within each server. To stay updated with TORmem’s latest developments and learn more about Thao Nguyen’s inspiring journey, please visit the Vantage Ventures website at https://vantageventures.io/.