Marvell Technology is a global semiconductor company specializing in data infrastructure solutions, generating approximately $5.5 billion in annual revenue. The company is a leader in AI-driven infrastructure, providing critical semiconductor solutions for industries such as data centers, automotive and networking. The company has grown substantially, and part of the fuel of that growth has been in better harnessing the insights that data provide. The leader who has helped lead Marvell to become a data driven culture is Nishit Sahay.
Sahay has been with Marvell for seven years, and he has been the Chief Information Officer of for roughly two. He has spearheaded the development of Marvell’s digital foundation, implemented AI-driven efficiencies, managed significant acquisitions and positioned the company for sustained innovation.
Marvell’s Market Position in Data Infrastructure
Marvell has evolved beyond its traditional semiconductor roots to become a key player in data infrastructure. Its components are deeply embedded in industries that rely on processing, moving and securing large volumes of data. This shift has aligned the company with the rise of artificial intelligence, an area in which it now plays a pivotal role.
“Marvell is one of the top semiconductor companies fueling AI infrastructure. Whether it’s data centers, automotive or carrier networks, everything relies on data, and we’re at the heart of it,” said Sahay. By leaning into data infrastructure, Marvell has distinguished itself among industry giants and made itself integral to the modern data economy.
Managing Data, AI and Business Transformation
As CIO, Sahay leads four major areas: traditional IT operations, the data office, enterprise AI initiatives and business process transformation. Each of these contributes to an overarching goal of creating a nimble, data-driven enterprise that is aligned to business outcomes.
“At Marvell, data is central to our culture. We don’t rely on subjective conversations; every decision is backed by data analytics and insights,” noted Sahay. His approach integrates advanced technology not just in IT, but across all business units, creating a culture of analytics and operational rigor.
Building a Digital Foundation for Agility and Security
Marvell has invested heavily in developing a scalable, resilient and secure technology infrastructure to support its expanding business. According to Sahay, this includes systems for HR, engineering and other key functions, all designed with automation and integration in mind.
“We wanted automation across all functions, from HR systems to engineering platforms,” explained Sahay. “This ensures agility and efficiency while maintaining a strong security foundation.” These digital underpinnings, while largely invisible to most users, are essential for enabling innovation and maintaining performance at scale.
Leveraging Data for Business Growth
Data has long been core to Marvell’s operations, and its role has only grown more critical in recent years. The company’s data office supports functions ranging from analytics and data science to governance and engineering, all of which contribute to enterprise-wide visibility and smarter decision-making.
“We automated our data-driven culture, making analytics accessible to decision-makers,” said Sahay. “This helped us navigate crises, optimize inventory and balance supply-demand efficiently.” The company is also implementing a data mesh architecture to unify structured and unstructured data, ensuring integrity and compliance as AI becomes more central to operations.
From Acquisition to Integration: Building Strategic Synergy
Marvell’s growth has been bolstered by a series of strategic acquisitions, including the $10 billion purchase of Inphi in 2021. The integration of acquired companies has been executed with uncommon speed and accuracy, hallmarks of Marvell’s operational discipline.
“Many companies struggle with acquisition integration,” Sahay noted while pivoting with pride. “At Marvell, we perfected the process, integrating Inphi’s supply chain, CRM and portals within two months with 99.6% data accuracy.” The ability to integrate systems and processes so efficiently ensures that strategic acquisitions become accretive to the business much faster.
Silicon Design in the Cloud: Rethinking an Industry Norm
In a bold move, Marvell has begun shifting its silicon design processes to the cloud, something most semiconductor companies have resisted due to legacy workflows and infrastructure demands. Sahay and his team partnered with hyperscalers like AWS to re-architect the necessary platforms.
“Unlike other semiconductor firms that use cloud for burst capacity, we are fully moving silicon design workflows to the cloud,” noted Sahay. “This allows us to optimize workloads using CPUs, GPUs and ARM-based systems more efficiently.” This shift not only modernizes Marvell’s design capabilities but also positions it at the forefront of customizable compute and engineering agility.
AI as a Core Business Driver
Artificial intelligence has become a key enabler for innovation and efficiency across Marvell’s value streams. The company’s AI strategy focuses on product development, enterprise-wide efficiency, change management and long-term investment in platforms and governance.
“AI isn’t just about automation; it’s about reimagining how we work,” said Sahay. “We encourage engineers to build AI solutions, ensuring innovation happens at every level.” With over 40 applications in production, 60% developed outside the IT function, Marvell is democratizing access to AI and embedding it deeply across the organization.
Looking to the Future: Quantum Computing and Emerging Technologies
Sahay is already setting his sights on the next wave of transformative technologies. Chief among these is quantum computing, which he sees as both a promising and disruptive force for the semiconductor industry.
“Quantum computing has limitless potential but also significant risks, especially in security,” he said with a note of excitement. “We’re closely monitoring developments to ensure Marvell stays ahead of the curve.” As the company builds on its strong digital and AI foundations, it is also preparing for a future where quantum may play a central role.
With a robust digital foundation, a forward-thinking AI strategy and a commitment to future technologies, Sahay has helped Marvell remain well-positioned for continued success in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.