Before Nvidia became an AI powerhouse, Jensen Huang was a startup founder who fought to get the Taiwanese chipmaker to return its phones.
The Nvidia CEO recalled how he first connected with Morris Chang, the founder of Taiwanese chip giant TSMC, in a video with podcaster Lex Fridman published on Wednesday.
It was the late 1990s, and Nvidia was looking for a manufacturer to produce graphics chips. Foundry capacity is limited, and some foundries require companies to license their technology in exchange for access.
Huang had heard of TSMC, then a much smaller company than the chipmaking giant it is today, and decided to pursue it.
He found the US office number in the Yellow Pages, phone directories, and called. He reached the record.
Huang left his contact details and explained what Nvidia is building. He tried several times.
“No one called me. No one called me,” Huang said.
He ended up writing a long letter to Chang.
After more silence, Huang received an unexpected phone call one evening.
“This is Morris Chang from TSMC,” the caller said, according to Huang.
Meanwhile, Nvidia employees were playing video games nearby, laughing and shouting.
“Hey, guys, shut up. It’s Morris Chang,” Huang recalled telling them.
Huang was delighted that Chang responded.
“Maybe we shouldn’t die,” Huang said.
Chang invited Huang to Taiwan, where he visited TSMC and rival United Microelectronics Corp.
Huang said he was also impressed by the company, but ultimately chose TSMC because of his conversations with Chang, who emphasized integrity, corporate governance, and long-term partnerships.
“Jensen, if we work together, I promise you will jump through hoops for you,” Chang said to him.
“Over time, 30 years, they have jumped for us,” Huang said.
Today, TSMC makes Nvidia’s advanced AI chips.