Market Data 
- TSMC CEO C.C. Wei faces geopolitical challenges amid the AI boom.
- TSMC’s chip foundry model enabled fabless companies like Nvidia and Apple to thrive.
- Business Insider profiled the top leadership at the company who could shape its future direction.
There is a good chance that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, is involved in almost every electronic device you see.
Founded in 1987 by entrepreneur Morris Chang, the silicon wafer maker used a pure-play foundry model. This model involved other companies designing computer chips and then contracting TSMC to manufacture them. This model enabled the rise of fabless companies like Nvidia, Qualcomm, Apple, and AMD, allowing them to compete against more traditionally integrated manufacturers like Intel and Samsung. It’s also built factories worldwide, including in Arizona.
The generative AI boom has recently boosted TSMC’s growth, as its market cap briefly crossed $1 trillion in July.
TSMC’s headquarters location in Taiwan has made it vulnerable to geopolitical challenges between the US and China and natural disasters like earthquakes. These are realities that its CEO and newly elected chairman, C.C. Wei, will face amid the AI boom.
Another is leadership succession: this year, the company had a reshuffle as former chairman Mark Liu stepped down, and speculation rose over who would be included in the next generation of leadership.
Editor’s Note: This list was first published on September 16, 2024, and has been updated to reflect recent developments in the executive team.
