At Inmos, Yassaie was immersed in the development of microprocessors and advanced processors. Inmos was known for the invention of the transputer, a pioneering parallel processing chip architecture, and though the company eventually struggled financially, its culture of innovation and engineering excellence left a deep mark on the UK’s tech landscape.
When Inmos was acquired and folded into STMicroelectronics, Yassaie’s career trajectory broadened further. At ST, he was directly involved in developing microprocessors, signal processors, and video processors—including the world’s first digital TV chip. This breakthrough not only marked a turning point for ST’s semiconductor business but also laid the foundations for what would become a multi-billion-dollar business unit within the company.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Yassaie had established himself as a key figure in the emerging world of digital technology, skilled at both technical innovation and strategic business development. These qualities would soon attract him to a small, ambitious UK company that would dominate the next chapter of his career: Imagination Technologies.
Imagination Technologies: Vision and Leadership
In 1992, Hossein Yassaie joined Imagination Technologies, a then-small company focused on semiconductor intellectual property (IP). His early contributions helped shape the company’s direction, but his biggest impact came in 1998, when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
As CEO, Yassaie transformed Imagination Technologies into one of the most influential UK-based technology companies. His strategy centred on two key principles:
