About Innovation Semiconductor

Prior to co-founding Innovation Semiconductor, Denny DeLeo served in a broad range of leadership roles involving tech startups, venture funding, and corporate management. Throughout his career, Denny has focused on building aligned visions and strategies, charting growth plans, and executing key objectives to create high levels of business value.

He began his career as an IP lawyer with Eastman-Kodak, but soon joined executive management as Vice-President and Director of Corporate Commercial Affairs, managing technology-related transactions such as licensing, business partnerships, and acquisitions/divestitures. He then became Vice-President and General Manager of the Bioscience and Emerging Businesses Division and the Image Acquisition Products Division, which produced state-of-the-art digital sensors, cameras, and scanners. Finally, as President and CEO of Eastman Technology, Inc., he helped launch businesses based on leading-edge technologies, with P&L accountability for more than a dozen early-stage ventures.

He later leveraged that experience and expertise to co-found two venture capital and private equity firms—Trillium Group and Impellent Ventures—that provided funding for a variety of early-stage technology companies across the US.

He co-founded Innovation Semiconductor in 2019 to pursue a breakthrough, patented micro-LED display architecture based on single-crystal Gallium Nitride (GaN) along with a novel, patent-pending, color-tunable micro-LED that emits over the full visible spectrum.

Denny holds a B.A. from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business. 

Matt developed an obsession with technology at an early age, building transistors in his garage while still in high school. He has gone on to become a highly-skilled and accomplished engineer with specific expertise in semiconductors, advanced materials, and micro-LEDs.

Over his career, he has led engineering teams in both corporate and laboratory settings in the development of groundbreaking technologies that resulted in the publication of 16 scientific papers as well as six patents pertaining to his advances in micro-LEDs. 

After graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, he joined Northrop Grumman as a research intern, where he created a metal lift-off process for gallium nitride (GaN) devices, implemented a new silicide process for SiC SITs that improved performance, and innovated a bi-layer resist lift-off process for improved fabrication efficiency.

In 2018, he returned to the Rochester Institute of Technology as a research assistant, where he developed ideas about GaN processes, from emulation and fabrication to characterization and the integration of GaN and silicon. His research ultimately led to the invention of vertical nanowire GaN transistors and GaN LEDs for alternating current operation.

In 2019, he co-founded Innovation Semiconductor as Chief Technology Officer, where he pioneered the creation of monolithic GaN LED-FETs and color-tunable indium-GaN LEDs. His work is transforming the field of micro-LEDs and opening up new developments in the manufacture of display technologies.

In 2023, Matt was honored as a recipient of SEMICON West's "20 under 30" Award, which celebrates outstanding future leaders in the microelectronics industry.

Matt holds a B.S. in Microelectronic Engineering, an M.S. in Materials Science Engineering, and a PhD in Microsystems Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

An acknowledged expert in the field of electronic displays, Joel advises the electronics industry as a private consultant. His impressive career lends a wealth of direct experience to the technical and marketing strategies he helps to develop for his partners.

With a BS in Physics from the Rochester Institute of Technology and an MS in Materials Science from the University of Rochester, Joel’s post-graduate career began as a physicist with Xerox WRC, then as an engineering and marketing manager at Tektronix.

His rise into executive management in the display industry includes stints as Director of Displays for Nvidia, Vice-President of the Display Business Unit at Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas, and CEO of the venture-funded startup, Clairvoyante, which developed technology that is now used in all of Samsung’s Galaxy phones and recent iPhones.

In 2016, he retired from Amazon’s Lab 126, managing display engineering for products such as Kindle e-readers, Echo Show, and Kindle Fire tablets. His passion for technology doesn’t allow him to rest on his laurels, however. In addition to his consultancy practice, Joel serves as an advisor for iatrixAir, developing intelligent UV disinfection technology.

He advises Innovation Semiconductor on critical technical issues as we continue to develop our groundbreaking micro-LED technology.

Rick Brown is the CEO and co-founder of Odyssey Semiconductor, Inc., bringing 19 years of experience in the design and fabrication of semiconductor devices. He has developed a specialization in gallium nitride (GaN) and related materials, with a focus on innovative transistor designs for radio frequency communications applications.

Rick spent time as a visiting scientist at Cornell University, where he worked on developing GaN-based transistors for radio frequency communications. This experience laid the groundwork for future advancements in the field of semiconductor technology. Additionally, Rick was a founding member and device scientist at Avogy, Inc., a Khosla Ventures company, contributing to the development of cutting-edge semiconductor devices.

Rick's academic background is equally impressive, with degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). His educational journey at Cornell University provided a strong foundation for his future work in the field of semiconductor technology

With his extensive background in GaN technology, Rick brings unparalleled expertise to Innovation Semiconductor. His unique blend of technical and business acumen enables him to effectively guide product design decisions, leveraging his 19 years of experience in the field to drive innovation and advancement.

James Shealy's academic and professional background has prepared him well for his current role at Innovation Semiconductor. After earning his doctorate, James held a dual appointment at Cornell University as a research associate and at General Electric as a principal staff scientist. This experience not only deepened his understanding of compound semiconductor materials but also provided him with a strong foundation in laboratory research.

In 1987, James joined the faculty at Cornell, where he remains active in developing the university's research programs and graduate courses related to compound semiconductors. His extensive expertise in this area has made him an invaluable asset to Innovation Semiconductor as we pursue our mission to revolutionize electronic displays.

In 2009, he became President and CEO of JML Optical Industries—a provider of optical components and assemblies to the custom, OEM, and catalog optical markets. From there, he managed operations as a Vice President for AIM Photonics – Manufacturing USA Institute, a Rochester, NY concern that develops integrated photonic technology along with state-of-the-art fabrication, packaging, and testing capabilities.

James was a founding member of several notable companies, including Akoustis Technologies (AKTS), RF Nitro Communications, and Odyssey Semiconductor. These experiences have given James a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the industry, allowing him to bring valuable insights to Innovation Semiconductor.

As a key member of our team, James is utilizing his expertise to assist on aspects of design and growth for our GaN devices. His extensive experience in compound semiconductor materials has enabled him to develop innovative solutions that have far-reaching implications for our products. With his expertise, we are confident that our GaN devices will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in electronic displays.

After earning both a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Rochester, Ed joined the management team of Eastman Kodak Company in the mid-1990s, handling numerous aspects of the company’s global optics business—from design and fabrication to service and quality standards, to worldwide operations.

As Vice President of Eastman Kodak’s Commercial Imaging Group, he oversaw the entire business unit, including sales and marketing, R&D, engineering, and manufacturing. His executive career continued with Eastman Kodak, serving as Director of Global Equipment Manufacturing, VP of Global Manufacturing & Logistics, Director of Ink Jet Manufacturing, and finally as Vice President of the Consumer Digital Group.

In 2009, he became President and CEO of JML Optical Industries—a provider of optical components and assemblies to the custom, OEM, and catalog optical markets. From there, he managed operations as a Vice President for AIM Photonics – Manufacturing USA Institute, a Rochester, NY concern that develops integrated photonic technology along with state-of-the-art fabrication, packaging, and testing capabilities.

He founded Edward White Consulting, LLC in 2010 to provide guidance to his clients across a variety of industries, including healthcare, automotive, consumer electronics, government, and education. He now employs his specialties in optics and manufacturing to help organizations navigate such challenges as business strategy, product and technology development, and domestic and offshore production.

He continues to oversee New York’s investment in AIM Photonics as a Board Member of the New York State Photonics Board, and he also serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative research and technology alliance among industry, academia, and government.

Ed provides Innovation Semiconductor with the benefits of his decades in the optics and photonics fields. His experience and expertise in both the business and technical sides of our industry are invaluable as we pursue our mission to revolutionize the future of electronic displays.