SUNNYVALE – During his participation in Brazil at Silicon Valley, in Sunnyvale, California, Brazilian Cristiano Amon, global CEO of American chipmaker Qualcomm said that the search for innovation in all business processes is something that should be avoided.
According to Amon, startups “need to be open to the innovation that is happening” around them. The executive emphasizes that this is different from wanting to do everything at home. “The worst thing for a technology company is to try to innovate everything it needs to.”
Qualcomm’s CEO made an analogy of this incessant search for innovation with gladiator fights in ancient Roman arenas. “In the best case scenario, when the gladiator didn’t die, he won the fight only to have to fight again,” Amon said.
The executive’s advice to prevent entrepreneurs from draining capital from their companies unnecessarily is to keep a close eye on the market. “That’s why M&As and investments in venture capital are important,” highlighted Amon.
Qualcomm itself is an example in this sense. Amon recalled that the company valued at US$193.3 billion made acquisitions that helped to innovate internal business processes.
In 2021, the chip manufacturer, for example, acquired the Swedish company Veoneer, which operates in the automotive market and is focused on developing advanced assistance systems for drivers.
In the same year, Qualcomm also purchased rival chipmaker Nuvia with the intention of improving processor technology aimed at smartphones and computers.
Within Qualcomm, Amon said the company is closely watching artificial intelligence movements. An example cited by the executive was the automotive market. “Cars are turning into computers on wheels,” said the Qualcomm CEO.
Regarding 6G, the next generation of mobile networks, Amon stated that they should provide a “more sensorial” experience for users. “It’s a different game that even seems esoteric,” said the executive, but without explaining exactly what these experiences would be. According to him, the first tests should begin at the end of this decade.
The only Brazilian in charge of a global big tech, Amon took charge of Qualcomm in June 2021. During the panel held in California, he stated that the “Brazilian flexibility” has helped him in the role. “Brazilians have a culture of knowing how to improvise”, said Amon.
The executive also stated that it was essential to assemble a competent team to operate in charge of the company. “You have to build a team that can do things better than you could do alone. You need to have people who are better than you.”