The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) mourns the passing of Dado Banatao, benefactor of CITRIS and longtime chair of the CITRIS Advisory Board.
Dado was a visionary engineer and entrepreneur whose contributions fundamentally shaped modern computing. Over the course of his career, he invented two foundational technologies still embedded in nearly every personal computer today: the PC chipset and graphics acceleration architecture. These innovations enabled faster processing, advanced graphics and scalable system design, helping transform personal computing into a powerful and widely accessible platform.
Beyond his work as an inventor, Dado founded and led multiple successful semiconductor companies and was a highly respected venture capitalist. As an investor and advisor, he helped identify and scale transformative technologies, mentoring founders and guiding technical strategy with rigor, long-term vision and a deep belief in technology’s potential to benefit society.
That same conviction was central to the founding and evolution of CITRIS. Dado believed technological progress must be guided by public purpose, and his leadership helped shape CITRIS’s enduring mission to advance technology in the public interest. His influence continues to be felt across the institute’s research, education and translational efforts throughout the University of California.
Many in the CITRIS community had the privilege of working closely with Dado and benefiting from his insight and guidance. His contributions continue through the work supported by CITRIS and the values that guide the institute today. We are also deeply grateful to Maria, Rey, Desi and Tala for their continued stewardship of the family’s vision and for their support of the institution that Dado held dear.
CITRIS extends its deepest condolences to Dado’s family, friends and all who were touched by his life and work. Additional information about ways to honor his memory will be shared as it becomes available.
To learn more about Dado’s extraordinary life, please visit his memorial website.