# Prem Jain

> Prem Chand Jain is the co-founder and former CEO of Pensando Systems, acquired by AMD for approximately $1.9 billion in May 2022, and chairperson of BITSAA International. Educated at BITS Pilani and UC Davis, he worked with longtime partners on Crescendo, Andiamo, Nuova and Insieme and spent 23 years at Cisco. His interviews emphasize customer feedback, market timing and trust; his philanthropy includes an endowed innovation and entrepreneurship chair at UC Davis.

- **Role:** Chairperson at BITSAA International
- **Organizations:** Pensando Systems / AMD Pensando, AMD, Cisco Systems, Crescendo Communications, Andiamo Systems, Nuova Systems, Insieme Networks, David Systems, BNR, BITSAA International, University of California, Davis, JITO USA, JAINA, Jain Center of Northern California
- **Education:** B.E. (Honours), Electrical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, M.S., Electrical and Computer Sciences, University of California, Davis
- **Known for:** Co-founded Pensando, acquired by AMD for approximately $1.9 billion in May 2022., Helped build the Crescendo, Andiamo, Nuova and Insieme networking businesses associated with Cisco., BITS Pilani Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2012.

## Career timeline

- **1977** — Entered telecommunications at BNR after completing graduate study.
- **1983** — Began David Systems; worked with Mario Mazzola and Luca Cafiero.
- **1993** — Joined Cisco as director of engineering through its acquisition of Crescendo Communications; began the working partnership with Soni Jiandani.
- **2008** — Cisco acquired Nuova Systems, one of the team’s spin-ins.
- **2013** — Cisco acquired Insieme Networks; Jain was CEO and subsequently Cisco SVP and GM of the Insieme business unit.
- **2016** — Left Cisco after 23 years.
- **2017** — Co-founded Pensando; delivered the UC Davis Graduate Studies commencement address.
- **2018** — Family committed $1.5 million toward an innovation and entrepreneurship chair at UC Davis; publicly announced in January 2019.
- **2021** — Received the Cal Aggie Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award and UC Davis Distinguished Engineering Alumni Medal.
- **2022** — AMD completed its approximately $1.9 billion acquisition of Pensando on May 26; Jain became an AMD senior vice president and general manager.
- **2025** — Received the BITS Ratna award.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Pensando, acquired by AMD for approximately $1.9 billion in May 2022.
- Helped build the Crescendo, Andiamo, Nuova and Insieme networking businesses associated with Cisco.
- BITS Pilani Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2012.
- Cal Aggie Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award, 2021.
- UC Davis Distinguished Engineering Alumni Medal, 2021.
- JAINA Ratna Award, 2021.
- BITS Ratna Award, 2025.
- Family gift of $1.5 million, with a $500,000 university match, funded a $2 million innovation and entrepreneurship chair at UC Davis.

## Latest updates

- **2025-08** — Received the BITS Ratna award; presentation at the Hyderabad convocation on August 17 was reported in September 2025.
- **2026-10** — BITSAA lists him as chairperson and among leaders joining its scheduled November 14, 2026 BITS Exchange in New York. The event is upcoming, not completed attendance.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prem-jain-b50341/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/prem_jain2

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/prem-jain
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22