Experience & Directorships
Career timeline spanning Silicon Valley, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia
Career Overview
Michael brings 40+ years of cross-border entrepreneurial and investment banking experience. From pioneer work in China’s nascent tech sector to building one of Silicon Valley’s first venture catalyst firms, to establishing family office operations across three continents, Michael has consistently positioned himself at the intersection of innovation, capital, and global business development.
Current Positions (2018 – Present)
Group CEO — The Entrepreneurs Group Limited
Abu Dhabi-based provider of advisory services for family offices and high-net-worth individuals in the GCC region. Manages a unique boutique addressing global asset planning, strategic business growth, and wealth management for Middle Eastern and international clients. Specializes in Sharia-compliant investment strategies and family governance.
CEO — First Penny Investments Pty Ltd
Australian-based advisory and investment firm focused on cross-border capital and high-growth companies. Helps Australian tech and agricultural companies expand globally while facilitating international investment into Australia.
Additional Current Roles
- Advisor — Global Investment Engineers AG (Zug, Switzerland) — ITO advisory and digital asset strategies
- Director — Intercontinental VC — Australian business expansion in China
- Director — Escavox Pty Ltd — IoT-based traceability for fresh produce using blockchain
- Director — Enhance Education Investment & Management — Australian education sector development
- Director — Network Society Lab Australia — ITO advisory services for regulated token offerings
- Director — True Altitude — Investment and advisory services
- Director & Chair of Development Committee — Project Rozana — Building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians through health cooperation
Previous Executive Positions
2016-2018 — CEO, Tharawat Holding S.A. & Tharawat Asset Management A.G.
Abu Dhabi • Luxembourg • Zurich — Led family office and asset management operations serving high-net-worth individuals across three jurisdictions. Specialized in Sharia-compliant investment strategies and cross-border wealth management.
2014-2016 — Business Development Manager, MB Depositors AG
Zug, Switzerland — Managed international client development and cross-border investment solutions for Swiss financial services firm.
2001-2014 — CEO, Gramercy Group (GPE Holdings, Inc.)
San Francisco • New York • London • Dubai • Melbourne — Founded and led one of the first two Venture Catalysts in Silicon Valley. Operated across five global cities working with hundreds of high-growth technology companies on international expansion, strategic partnerships, and capital raising.
1996-2001 — CEO, Double Impact, Inc.
San Francisco, CA USA — Founded and led technology consulting and business development firm focused on helping companies scale internationally.
Corporate Globalization Achievements
Integral to the successful international expansion of leading technology companies:
Macromedia
Early China market entry — set up joint venture shortly after June 4th incident, one of first Western software companies to operate in China.
F5 Networks
Global partnerships and cross-border expansion strategies contributing to F5’s emergence as a leading infrastructure company.
Akamai
Strategic guidance on international market penetration and partnership development for the CDN pioneer.
Also contributed to the globalization of HAHT (international market development) and Apple (international business development).
Startup Ecosystem Impact
100+
Startups Advised
4
Continents
40+
Years Experience
5
Global Cities
Industry Sector Experience
Technology (Software, Hardware, Internet) • Financial Services & Asset Management • Agriculture & Food Tech • Education & EdTech • Healthcare & Biotech • Real Estate • Aviation • Art & Collectibles • Automotive • FMCG • Renewable Energy & Cleantech • Blockchain & Digital Assets
Ready to Leverage This Experience?
Whether you need strategic advisory, capital connections, or market entry expertise, Michael’s 40+ years of global business experience can help accelerate your goals.