Northwestern University

After 20+ years as an intrapreneur and entrepreneur, Michael joined the full-time faculty of the Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in January 2007. Today he is a Clinical Professor and Director of the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (FCEI). Michael founded FCEI to offer classes that would be available to all NU students to help them learn about the evolution of an idea into a business. Within 18 months of the Center’s creation, McCormick alum and entrepreneur, James Farley and his wife, Nancy, endowed it. Over 500 students a year take Farley classes.Michael oversees a broad curriculum that includes Nuvention, a series of classes that simulate the acceleration/incubation process. NUvention has expanded from its initial program in health care to now include 8 classes in areas like Web, Energy, Impact, Arts, Analytics, Consumer Products, and Nanotechnology. NUvention alumni have created many companies that have raised millions in capital and been acquired by companies like Google and Apollo Group.Michael continues to be an early stage investor. He currently sits on the boards of a number of companies including Sportiqe, NuCurrent, Syndio Social, Agile Health and Ullo. He was recognized recently by Crain’s Chicago Business and TechWeek as a leader in the Chicago technology ecosystem.Michael received his BS in Accountancy with high honors from DePaul University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.