Belli Kuttanna (Rivos)
Overview
Belli Kuttanna is a prominent figure in the semiconductor industry, known for his role as the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Rivos Inc., a company specializing in high-performance RISC-V integrated systems. Founded in 2021, Rivos focuses on developing power-efficient, high-performance chips tailored for specific workloads, particularly in data analytics and artificial intelligence. Kuttanna's extensive background in technology includes significant contributions at Intel Corporation, where he held various leadership roles, including Intel Senior Fellow and CTO of Intel Capital.
Recent Developments
- August 2025: Rivos seeks additional funding ranging between $400 million and $500 million, aiming to challenge Nvidia with its RISC-V-based processors and potentially increase its valuation to over $2 billion. The funding would support the development and launch of a new GPU optimized for AI workloads.
- April 2024: Rivos raised $250 million in a Series A-3 funding round to support the production of its first AI server chip based on the RISC-V architecture. The round was led by Matrix Capital Management, with contributions from Intel Capital, Dell Technologies Capital, and MediaTek.
- February 2024: Rivos settled a lawsuit with Apple, which had accused the startup of stealing trade secrets and luring its employees. The settlement allowed Rivos to recover some operational momentum, subsequently aiding in securing new investments.
- September 2024: Rivos licensed Andes Technology’s NX45 RISC-V processor for its upcoming high-performance RISC-V system-on-chip (SoC).
- January 2024: Rivos laid off approximately 6% of its workforce amid financial restraints and challenges related to its legal battle with Apple.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Belli Kuttanna |
| Born | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Co-Founder and CTO |
| Known For | Co-founding Rivos Inc.; Former Intel Senior Fellow |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $0 – $60 million |
| Education | B.Tech from Karnataka Regional Engineering College (1989); M.S. from Texas A&M University (1993) |
Early Life and Education
Belli Kuttanna was born in India and pursued his early education in engineering. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Karnataka Regional Engineering College Surathkal, India in 1989. Seeking advanced studies, Kuttanna moved to the United States, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1993. His educational journey laid a strong foundation for his career in semiconductor technology, emphasizing design and architecture.
Career and Notable Achievements
Belli Kuttanna’s career spans across several significant technological firms:
- Texas Instruments (1989-1991): Began as an ASIC Design Engineer.
- Motorola Inc. (1993-1997): Worked as a CPU Designer.
- Sun Microsystems (1997-1999): Served as CPU Architect, contributing to pioneering work in processor design.
- Intel Corporation (1999-2014): Rose to the position of Intel Fellow, making substantial contributions to multiple projects.
- Qualcomm (2014-2015): As VP of Technology, Kuttanna oversaw technological advancements.
- Intel Corporation (2015-2021): Held leadership roles such as Intel Fellow, Chief Architect for New Technology Group, and CTO of Intel Capital.
- Rivos Inc. (2021-Present): Co-founded the startup, focusing on RISC-V based integrated systems, and secured significant funding to tapeout its first silicon product.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Belli Kuttanna serves as the Co-Founder and CTO of Rivos Inc., where he continues to drive innovation in semiconductor technologies. Under his leadership, the company aims to develop cutting-edge chips that integrate high-performance server-class RISC-V CPUs with data parallel accelerators to meet the growing demands of AI and data analytics applications. Rivos' commitment to open-source architectures has the potential to reshape how server solutions are developed and deployed across industries.
Rivos Careers
Rivos continues its expansion, offering career opportunities across various disciplines, including software, silicon, and system engineering. As of 2025, the company actively recruits talent worldwide in locations such as Santa Clara, Austin, Bangalore, and Cambridge, emphasizing roles in CPU microarchitecture, design verification, and software development.
Rivos Layoff
In January 2024, Rivos underwent a layoff, reducing its workforce by approximately 6% due to financial pressures exacerbated by its ongoing legal challenges with Apple. This decision was part of a broader strategic realignment to stabilize finances and focus on core operations in preparation for its first significant product launch.
Rivos Valuation
As of August 2025, Rivos is evaluating its potential to raise its valuation to over $2 billion, driven by innovative advancements in RISC-V technology and strategic funding efforts. Rivos’ competitive edge lies in its aim to provide a power-efficient alternative to industry giants like Nvidia, leveraging the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of RISC-V architectures.
Conclusion
Belli Kuttanna’s journey from an engineer to a co-founder of a promising semiconductor startup is marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence in technology development. Rivos Inc., under his technical leadership, embodies the future of data center solutions with its dedication to high-performance computing. As the company continues to evolve and challenges the status quo in AI and data analytics, Kuttanna's vision will likely remain a significant impetus for future developments in this space.