Dado Banatao is the managing partner of Tallwood Venture Capital. With his past experiences as an entrepreneur, Dado provides Tallwood with a unique perspective. As an engineer, he is credited with developing several key semiconductor technologies and is regarded as a Silicon Valley visionary. As an investor, he has a keen sense of trends and opportunities involving technology solutions for communications.

Formerly a venture partner at Mayfield Fund, Dado co-founded three technology startups, S3 (SBLU), Chips & Technologies (INTC), and Mostron. Dado also held positions at National Semiconductor, Seeq Technologies, Intersil, and Commodore International.

Dado serves as Chairman for Marvell Technology Group (MRVL), SiRF Technology, Cyras System and current Tallwood communication portfolio companies. He also served as Chairman and led investments in Acclaim Communications, acquired by Level One (Intel), and Newport Communications, acquired by Broadcom.

On a personal level, Dado contributes both time and experience to companies and various institutions in the Philippines. He provides counsel to new and established corporations in identifying opportunities and formation of technology companies.

In 1993, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, Inc. (NECO) selected Dado as the recipient of its highly respected Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an annual award to U.S. citizens who contribute significantly to an ethnic group or country. Dado was also honored in 1993 with the Asian Business League of San Francisco's (ABL-SF) Distinguished Asian Leadership Award, which is bestowed on Asian Americans who demonstrate leadership skills in the public and non-profit sectors of the community. In addition, Dado was presented with the Pamana Ng Filipino Award by President Fidel V. Ramos for his tireless efforts in spreading the importance of preserving and promoting the Philippines heritage. In 1997, he was honored with the prestigious Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine, and Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services. In 1998, Dado was honored with the 1998 Honoree Award of the Asian Leaders and Community Service sponsored by the Asian Pacific Fund for his continued support to the community. Dado was honored in 1999 by being selected by ABC KGO Television honoring outstanding Bay Area Asian Pacific Americans in "Profiles of Excellence."

Dado was awarded a B.S.E.E., cum laude, from the Mapua Institute of Technology in the Philippines and an M.S. in electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University.

Dado was born in the Philippines in the Cagayan Province on May 23, 1946. He entered college in Manila at the age of fifteen, immigrated to the United States in 1968, entered Stanford University in 1971 and has resided in Silicon Valley ever since. He and his wife Maria have three children, Rey, Desi, and Tala.