NVIDIA, a Santa Clara, California-based global technology company, announced in August that it was opening of a sparkling new technology center in Avis Farms, Michigan, just south of Ann Arbor.

Although it doesn't have the name recognition of other giant tech companies, like Microsoft or Google, NVIDIA's software assists in the designing of myriad components and products that are integral parts of many of the electronic devices most of us use in our everyday lives.

The company its software products provide applications and functions to such disparate, wide-ranging items as smartphones, motion picture special effects and vehicle electronics. It is this latter tool that provided the impetus for NVIDIA to bring its state-of-the-art tech center to the Ann Arbor area.

“I’m pleased to see more technology-focused companies look to the state of Michigan as a resourceful Home and partner, Michael Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said on NVIDIA's corporate blog. "NVIDIA’s commitment to the state of Michigan is an encouraging sign for future growth and jobs in the technology and automotive industries.”

At the Ann Arbor Tech Center, its approximately 20 onsite employees will work with many of the nearby automotive manufacturers, such as Chrysler, Ford, GM and Volkswagen, to develop “infotainment” systems, in-vehicle applications and other such software aimed specifically at the industry. In fact, in-dash digital instrument clusters powered by NVIDIA products and components are already being used in several car makes and models, including, but not limited to, Bentley, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Tesla.

According to NVIDIA marketing director Danny Shapiro, additional supercomputing and graphics development work will probably take place at the center.

The three brain wizards who together founded NVIDIA in 1993 are

  • Jen-Hsun Huang (company's CEO as of 2013) - Former Director of CoreWare with LSI Logic and microprocessor designer with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
  • Chris Malachowsky - Former electrical engineer with Sun Microsystems
  • Curtis Priem - Former Sun Microsystems' senior engineer and graphics chip designer

According to a 2002 article in Forbes, Huang, Malachowsky and Priem secured the necessary capital funding for this venture from Sequoia Capital.