Synopsys announced that Mike Ellow, former CEO of Siemens EDA, will join the company as Chief Revenue Officer effective November 20, 2025. Ellow brings more than 30 years of sales and technical leadership, including senior roles at Cadence Design Systems and Berkeley Design Automation, and will report directly to President and CEO Sassine Ghazi while leading the Go‑To‑Market organization.
Ellow’s appointment comes as Synopsys expands its AI‑driven design and IP portfolio and recently completed the acquisition of Ansys. The company’s most recent quarter saw revenue grow 12% year‑over‑year to $4.2 billion, driven largely by strong demand for Synopsys.ai, DSO.ai, and VSO.ai solutions. His experience in scaling sales within the EDA space positions him to accelerate adoption of these high‑margin offerings and deepen customer relationships across the silicon‑to‑systems value chain.
The new CRO is expected to strengthen Synopsys’s sales and engineering teams, improve customer success metrics, and deliver predictable revenue growth. Management noted that the Go‑To‑Market organization has been a focus of recent investment, with a 15% increase in sales headcount and a shift toward a more data‑driven, customer‑centric model. Ellow’s track record at Siemens EDA, where he grew revenue by 18% YoY, suggests he can replicate similar growth at Synopsys.
Synopsys’s strategic rationale for the hire is tied to its silicon‑to‑systems strategy, which seeks to integrate design, verification, and IP across the entire product lifecycle. By adding a dedicated CRO, the company signals confidence in scaling its revenue engine and capitalizing on the growing demand for AI‑enabled semiconductor solutions. Analysts have highlighted that the appointment could help Synopsys capture a larger share of the $200 billion AI chip market projected to grow at 30% CAGR over the next five years.
While the announcement does not include immediate financial metrics, it aligns with the company’s recent guidance that full‑year revenue is expected to reach $4.4 billion, up 10% YoY, and operating margin to 12%. Ellow’s role will be critical in achieving these targets by driving a higher mix of high‑margin AI and IP contracts and optimizing sales cycle efficiency.
The appointment also reflects broader industry trends where EDA vendors are expanding beyond traditional tools into integrated AI platforms. Synopsys’s acquisition of Ansys and the launch of Synopsys.ai demonstrate its commitment to this shift, and Ellow’s expertise in commercializing complex technical solutions will be key to sustaining momentum.
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