Who Owns Wolfspeed Company?

Wolfspeed Bundle

Get Full Bundle:

	5 FORCES	$15	$10
	BCG	$15	$10
	CANVAS	$15	$10
	4P's MIX	$15	$10
	PESTLE	$15	$10
	SWOT	$15	$10

TOTAL:

ADD TO CART

Who Owns Wolfspeed?

Understanding a company's ownership reveals its strategic direction and market influence. Wolfspeed, formerly Cree, Inc., rebranded in October 2021 to focus on wide bandgap semiconductors. Founded in 1987, its journey began with a vision for silicon carbide technology.

Wolfspeed is a leader in silicon carbide, essential for EVs and 5G. In fiscal year 2024, its revenue was about $807 million. This analysis explores its ownership, from founders to institutional investors.

The ownership of Wolfspeed is primarily held by its public shareholders, with significant stakes owned by institutional investors. These large entities, such as investment management firms and pension funds, play a crucial role in the company's governance and strategic decisions.

Key institutional holders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street, collectively managing a substantial portion of Wolfspeed's outstanding shares. These firms often influence corporate strategy through their voting power and active engagement with management. The company's fiscal year 2024 revenue reached approximately $807 million, highlighting its market presence. Understanding the Wolfspeed PESTEL Analysis can provide further context on external factors influencing its operations and ownership dynamics.

Wolfspeed, initially established as Cree Research in July 1987, originated from the research efforts at North Carolina State University. The company's foundation was built by a team of innovators, including Calvin H. Carter Jr., John W. Palmour, Neal A. Gardner, and Robert F. Davis, with some accounts also mentioning Neal Hunter, Thomas Coleman, Eric Hunter, and John Edmond. Dr. John Edmond played a crucial role as a Co-Founder and Research Fellow, concentrating on silicon carbide materials for advanced power semiconductor applications.

Founding Vision

The founders aimed to harness silicon carbide's unique properties to create semiconductors capable of higher temperature and power operations.

Early Entrepreneurship

Founders like Neal and Eric Hunter used personal finances, including credit cards and second mortgages, to fund early operations and recruit talent.

Key Milestones

The company launched the first silicon carbide-based blue LED in 1989 and the first commercial silicon carbide wafer in 1991.

Transition to Public Ownership

The company transitioned to public ownership through its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1993.

Early Ownership Details

Specifics regarding the initial equity distribution among founders are not publicly available, which is typical for early-stage private companies.

Focus on Wide Bandgap

The early innovations laid the foundation for the company's future specialization in wide bandgap semiconductor technology.

The founders' initial vision was to leverage the unique properties of silicon carbide to enable semiconductors capable of operating at higher temperatures and power levels. Early entrepreneurial spirit saw founders like Neal Hunter and Eric Hunter utilize personal credit cards and a second mortgage to secure initial talent, such as hiring John Edmond as the first employee. Cree introduced the first silicon carbide-based blue LED in 1989 and the first commercial silicon carbide wafer in 1991, laying the groundwork for its future in wide bandgap technology. The company transitioned to public ownership with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1993. Specific details regarding the precise equity split or early shareholding percentages at the company's inception are not publicly detailed, which is common for private early-stage ventures. Understanding the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Wolfspeed provides context for its growth trajectory.

Founding Team and Expertise

The company was founded by individuals with strong ties to academic research, bringing specialized knowledge in materials science and semiconductor technology.

• Calvin H. Carter Jr.
• John W. Palmour
• Neal A. Gardner
• Robert F. Davis
• Neal Hunter
• Thomas Coleman
• Eric Hunter
• John Edmond

Wolfspeed SWOT Analysis

• Complete SWOT Breakdown
• Fully Customizable
• Editable in Excel & Word
• Professional Formatting
• Investor-Ready Format

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Wolfspeed's ownership landscape has seen significant transformation since its inception as Cree, Inc. in 1993. The company's rebranding to Wolfspeed, Inc. in October 2021 marked a decisive pivot towards its silicon carbide technology, following the divestiture of its LED and RF divisions. This strategic repositioning has shaped its current shareholder base.

As of March 31, 2025, institutional investors collectively command a dominant portion of Wolfspeed's shares, holding between 88.44% and 90.82% of the total outstanding stock. This substantial institutional backing is led by major entities such as BlackRock, Inc., which held approximately 19.03 million shares (12.36% ownership), and The Vanguard Group, Inc., with about 18.91 million shares (12.29%). Other significant institutional investors include UBS Group AG (9.44%), Balyasny Asset Management LLC (5.89%), and State Street Corporation (4.85%). By August 16, 2024, the company had 126,869,367 shares of common stock outstanding. Insider ownership, representing stakes held by company executives and directors, accounted for approximately 3.26% as of August 17, 2025. This concentration of ownership among large financial institutions suggests a significant influence on the company's strategic direction and corporate governance through their voting power and engagement.

Understanding Wolfspeed's Shareholder Base

Wolfspeed's ownership structure is heavily dominated by institutional investors. This indicates a broad investor base primarily composed of large financial entities.

• Institutional ownership represents a significant majority of Wolfspeed's shares.
• Key institutional investors include BlackRock and The Vanguard Group.
• Insider ownership constitutes a smaller but notable portion of the total shares.
• The high level of institutional ownership can influence company strategy and governance.
• Understanding this structure is crucial for analyzing Marketing Strategy of Wolfspeed and future performance.

Wolfspeed PESTLE Analysis

• Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
• No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
• Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
• Instant Download, Ready to Use
• 100% Editable, Fully Customizable

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The governance of Wolfspeed, Inc. is managed by its Board of Directors, which currently consists of ten nominees as detailed in the 2024 Proxy Statement. This board includes key company executives alongside independent directors, ensuring a balanced oversight of the company’s operations and strategic direction.

Wolfspeed operates with a straightforward voting structure where directors are elected based on a plurality of votes cast, meaning the nominees receiving the highest number of votes secure their positions. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights, and each share typically carries one vote per director seat. There is no public information suggesting the existence of dual-class shares or other arrangements that would grant disproportionate voting power to any specific entity or individual, ensuring a more equitable distribution of influence among Wolfspeed shareholders. Advisory votes on executive compensation and the ratification of the independent auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the fiscal year ending June 29, 2025, are also part of the shareholder decision-making process.

Understanding Wolfspeed's Shareholder Structure

Wolfspeed's ownership is primarily distributed among its shareholders, with no single entity holding a majority stake. Understanding this structure is key to grasping the company's strategic decision-making and long-term direction.

• No single founder or entity holds a majority stake in Wolfspeed.
• Institutional investors are significant Wolfspeed shareholders.
• The company is publicly traded, meaning ownership is widely dispersed.
• Shareholder votes influence key company decisions, including board elections.

Wolfspeed Business Model Canvas

• Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
• Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
• Investor-Ready BMC Format
• 100% Editable and Customizable
• Clear and Structured Layout

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Recent strategic shifts have significantly reshaped Wolfspeed's ownership landscape, with a pronounced move towards a pure-play silicon carbide focus. This transformation includes divestitures and operational realignments aimed at enhancing financial performance and market positioning.

Wolfspeed's operational adjustments continue to influence its ownership trends. The company reported Q3 FY2025 revenue of $185 million and an adjusted EPS of -$0.72. To streamline operations and accelerate the transition to its 200mm Mohawk Valley fab, Wolfspeed announced a 25% workforce reduction and the closure of its 150mm fabrication facility in Durham in calendar 2025. These measures are projected to yield substantial annualized cash savings beginning in fiscal year 2026. Furthermore, the company anticipates a significant reduction in net capital expenditures, with a planned decrease of $200 million for fiscal year 2025, down from $2.1 billion in fiscal 2024, with further reductions expected in fiscal 2026. Wolfspeed is also set to receive over $1 billion in Section 48D cash tax refunds and expects to generate approximately $150 million from non-core asset divestitures in calendar 2025. As of mid-2025, institutional ownership remains robust, accounting for approximately 88-91% of total shares outstanding, while insider ownership was around 3.26% in August 2025. The past year saw a 23.7% increase in total shares outstanding, indicating some dilution. These developments align with broader industry movements toward strategic specialization and efficiency, with Wolfspeed targeting EBITDA breakeven at $800 million and positive unlevered operating cash flow of $200 million by fiscal year 2026. Understanding these shifts is crucial for grasping the current Wolfspeed ownership structure and its implications for future performance, as detailed in this Brief History of Wolfspeed.

Institutional Investor Dominance

Institutional investors hold a significant majority of Wolfspeed's shares, typically between 88% and 91% as of mid-2025. This indicates substantial backing from large financial entities.

Strategic Asset Realignment

The company has actively divested non-core assets, including its LED and RF businesses, to concentrate on its silicon carbide technology leadership. This strategic pivot is a key trend influencing Wolfspeed ownership.

Operational Efficiency Focus

Recent workforce reductions and facility closures are part of a broader strategy to improve financial efficiency and accelerate the transition to advanced manufacturing capabilities. These actions impact the company's operational structure and financial outlook.

Financial Restructuring and Growth Targets

Wolfspeed is targeting EBITDA breakeven and positive unlevered operating cash flow by fiscal year 2026, supported by anticipated tax refunds and further asset divestitures. These financial goals are central to its evolving business model.

Wolfspeed Porter's Five Forces Analysis

• Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
• Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
• 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
• Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
• Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked

GET TEMPLATE ➔