Memory Lane!

"I started my microelectronics thesis in 2003 at the Institut National Polytechnique in Grenoble. I already knew then that I wanted to be involved in starting a company." A stroke of luck! Early in his thesis, Virgile witnessed the infant stages of a MRAM (magnetic random access memory) prototype that came out of Spintec laboratories (CEA/CNRS) where he was doing his thesis.

Three years later, the capital was raised for Crocus Technology. A spin-off was born and Virgile was hired as memory designer. In August 2006, he left for California to work on designing circuits and interface with the silicon and magnetic process teams. It must be said that Silicon Valley offers an exceptional environment with specialized skills in the area (Intel is based there) and the state of mind that encourages risk-taking. "Here startups crop up every day," Virgile notes. "It is easy to find offices to rent and people prepared to put money into your idea."

His Californian experience makes Virgile more critical about his home country where he considers that people are still too overcautious with regard to doctoral studies. "In France," he deplores "at best the three years of thesis are recognized on the salary scale by a year and a half of professional experience.”