Dan Simpkins

Biography

Dan Simpkins’ creativity and vision have shaped his career and defined his companies. Relentlessly entrepreneurial, he is currently CEO of Hillcrest Labs, a company he founded in 2001 to reinvent the TV user experience and which created what is now known as “Smart TV”. He has led its growth to become the leading global supplier of software, hardware, and intellectual property for sensor-enabled products. Previously, Dan founded SALIX Technologies in 1990, and over the course of a decade led the company from inception to acquisition by Tellabs, Inc. for $300 million. Dan has been issued more than 20 U.S. patents, sits on the board of private company PublicRelay and is an active advisor to and investor in several early stage companies. He currently serves on the administrative board of the Cornell University Council, is a member of the Engineering College Council and is a former executive in residence for global VC leader New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Dan earned a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction in Electrical Engineering and Master of Engineering degree (in EE) from Cornell University. 

Research Interest

 Hillcrest Labs, a subsidiary of InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC), is a leading global supplier of software, components and intellectual property to enable the intelligent use of sensors in consumer electronics and IoT devices. For more than 10 years, Hillcrest’s Freespace® sensor processing technology has powered advanced motion controllers in a wide variety of products including Smart TV’s, set-top boxes, PC’s, and game consoles. Today, Hillcrest’s products are used in the development of devices in the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), robotics, TV and motion remote control segments.