Curtis Priem

About

Curtis Priem is an American electrical engineer, technology entrepreneur, and NVIDIA co-founder. He served as NVIDIA's Chief Technical Officer from 1993 to 2003 after an influential career in computer graphics and semiconductor engineering. Before co-founding NVIDIA, Priem worked for firms such as Vermont Microsystems, GenRad, and Sun Microsystems, during which time he created the innovative graphics chip GX. His area of specialization is in electrical engineering and graphics processors. Priem is deeply involved with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as a trustee and became Vice Chair of its Board of Trustees in 2024. He also serves as the president of the Priem Family Foundation. Quick Facts About Curtis Priem: Field Details Full Name Curtis R. Priem Profession Electrical Engineer, Technology Entrepreneur, Philanthropist Known For Co-founding NVIDIA Current Foundation Role President, Priem Family Foundation Current Institutional Role Vice Chair, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Board of Trustees Previous Leadership Role Chief Technical Officer, NVIDIA Previous Companies Vermont Microsystems, GenRad Inc., Sun Microsystems, NVIDIA Education Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Degree Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Graduation Year 1982 Entrepreneurial Experience Co-founder of NVIDIA Philanthropic Organization Priem Family Foundation Career Overview of Curtis Priem: Priem began his engineering career in computer graphics at Vermont Microsystems before working at GenRad Inc. In 1986, he joined Sun Microsystems as a senior staff engineer, where he spent seven years developing the GX graphics chip architecture. In 1993, he co-founded NVIDIA alongside Jensen Huang and Chris Malachowsky. As NVIDIA's first Chief Technical Officer, Priem shaped the company's early technology roadmap for a decade before retiring in 2003. His later life has been defined by his leadership of the Priem Family Foundation and massive philanthropic support for RPI, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. Career Timeline: Year Career Development 1982 BS in Electrical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI): Completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. 1982–1984 Engineer, Vermont Microsystems: Designed the IBM Professional Graphics Controller, described as the first professional graphics processor for the PC. 1984–1986 Hardware Engineer, GenRad Inc.: Worked on hardware design and electronic testing technologies. 1986–1993 Senior Staff Engineer, Sun Microsystems: Designed and developed the GX graphics chip architecture. 1993–2003 Co-founder & Chief Technical Officer, NVIDIA: Co-founded NVIDIA and became its first Chief Technical Officer. Chief Technical Officer, NVIDIA: Directed NVIDIA’s technical strategy and chip design for a decade before retiring from the company. September 1999 President, Priem Family Foundation: Established the Priem Family Foundation with his wife, Cindi, to support charitable causes. 2003 Trustee, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Appointed to the RPI Board of Trustees. 2004 Philanthropist, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Pledged a $40 million unrestricted gift to establish the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC). His lifetime contributions to RPI have since exceeded $275 million, including recent funding for the campus’s IBM Quantum System One. 2024 Vice Chair, RPI Board of Trustees: Served as Vice Chair of the RPI Board of Trustees, with the role effective January 1, 2023.

Experience

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  Other, Chief Technology Officer

  NVIDIA

  Apr 1993 to Present

  Co-Founder & Chief Technical Officer

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  Other

  Sun Microsystems

  Jan 1986 to Jan 1993

  Senior Staff Engineer

Awards

• Entrepreneur of the Year2000 - Named Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of his foundational contributions to technology and semiconductor innovation.

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