Managing Director, Dr. Chips Consulting LLC

Dr. Makarand “Chips” Chipalkatti was till recently Senior Director, Solid State Lighting (SSL) and Emerging Market Initiatives for OSRAM in North America. Since March 2010 his primary focus was on executing innovation, and as a LED lighting evangelist for OSRAM. His early work included research on advanced materials and organic light sources (OLEDs). Chips transitioned from technology development to commercial launch of technology in 2000, when he led the start-up of OSRAM’s LED lighting business in the Americas. Since 2005, Dr. Chips led the Strategic Innovation Management function for OSRAM Americas. Dr. Chips is recognized as one of the pioneers in LED lighting and as an industry leader and advisor with various trade, non-governmental and governmental agencies on lighting and energy policy. Recently, Dr. Chips established an executive consulting practice focusing on industry transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship with special emphasis on the commercialization of innovation in the new lighting ecosystem. He serves globally as an industry consultant for product, service, and market strategy targeting technology intensive verticals mainly focusing on energy and environmental efficiency. His clients range from early seed stage companies seeking scale, to large global companies launching new businesses. He continues to play a role as mentor for early stage companies and students of entrepreneurship and innovation. Chips received a Ph.D. in Polymer Science & Eng. from Univ. of Massachusetts and a B.Tech Chem. Eng. from IIT Bombay.