Welcome! I'm Neil, a digital supply chain transformation leader in microchips, expat in Hong Kong, and freelance innovator on nights and weekends.This is my portfolio of current and past projects.
Notes from the Field
I've kicked off the Hidden Layer, a Substack focused on microchips and digital transformation, and my thoughts on some other emerging technology. Scope it out under Projects.As of Fall 2025, I'm pursuing the MITx SCM MicroMasters, a rigorous graduate credential program. In conjunction with this, I've launched TraceLayer, an academic SaaS project assessing supply chain risk for electronic components.During my time in Asia, I've gotten into dragon boating and Muay Thai, competing in the former and probably never in the latter.
Bio
I'm Neil Hawke, a digital supply chain transformation leader in microchips. Most of my work centers around the complexity in semiconductor supply chain management, its intersection with geopolitics and other risk, and emerging methods to solve these challenges.
Based in Hong Kong, I work across the US–Asia semiconductor corridor inside an OEM, rewiring how engineering and supply chain decisions get made. I build practical supply-chain intelligence by fusing engineering/BOM signals with supplier, logistics, and georisk data to give teams a single, timely view of risk. I’ve streamlined forecasting end-to-end, simplifying inputs, automating data flows, and tightening change control, to reduce operational overhead while improving plan quality. The result is fewer fire drills, cleaner handoffs between engineering and operations, and a network that adapts faster to export controls, disruptions, and rapid design changes.
Highlights
- MBA and BS Engineering Management from Michigan Technological University
- MITx SCM MicroMasters [in progress]
- PMP-certified
- Hong Kong-based
- Originally from Michigan, USA
- Michigan Tech Engineering & SCM Industry Advisory Board Member
Some Other Stuff
- Milwaukee Venture Partners member
- Eagle Scout (BSA Troop 304, Saginaw, MI)
- Skiing, sailing, hiking, paddling enthusiast
- Favorite artist: Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet BandI appreciate you taking the time to read my bio. If we haven't met in-person yet, I'd love to buy you a coffee. Please take me up on this via the email icon below! I won't judge you for ordering a triple mocha frappuccino.
Projects
Below are current projects, some high-tech and supply chain transformation-oriented, and some extremely low-tech.Yes, even Hawaiian shirts.
Contact
Feel free to connect, and I'll get back to you within 2 business days.
TraceLayer is an academic SaaS project exploring electronic component supply chain sovereignty, counterfeit detection, and predictive lifecycle analytics. This is in conjunction with my MITx SCM MicroMasters.There will be lots more to come here as things progress. Please reach out via email with any questions!The below diagram is a very rough concept sketch, and I've already deviated quite a bit from this.
Good in the Great Lakes Region- that's what Thimbleberry Capital is about. I have a lot of belief in the grit and innovation of founders in the Michigan-Wisconsin-Minnesota-Illinois area, and I founded Thimbleberry Capital as a purpose-driven nanocapital initiative, supporting founders in the outdoor, mobility, and health sciences industries in this region.Our first investment was sponsoring Michigan Tech's Circular Solutions Enterprise Team in a project to develop a recyclable textile solution. [Read more below]
Founded in 2021, Great Lakes Coastal is my love letter to my home, the Great Lakes region.With the help of talented designers, I created the first Great Lakes Beach Shirt, and will soon be re-launching as a premium, collectible, limited-run brand.This project was designed to be explicitly low-tech and to step away from complexity, but proved to have its own challenges in terms of unit economics and global sourcing.We've had the opportunity to partner with great organizations, creating custom shirts for Door County Brewing Company, and Copper Harbor Trails Club, in addition to our own collection.Currently, Great Lakes Coastal's operations are paused, with plans to resume in 2026.
College Coaching with Neil
College Coaching with Neil was founded in 2025 as an outlet to give back to struggling college students, using my unique perspective and experiences from my undergraduate degree. I offer several weekly coaching sessions, downloadable materials, and an upcoming Udemy course.
