Michael joined Highland in 1999 and serves as Senior Vice President. He is responsible for the firm’s marketing programs, media relations, events, speaking, online and direct marketing activities across all funds and geographies. Michael also spearheads a number of key strategic market, portfolio and entrepreneurial development initiatives (follow on Twitter via @MichaelGaiss).
In his role, Michael advises Highland portfolio companies on marketing strategy, positioning, launches, communications, programs and overall marketing effectiveness. Since joining the firm, he has had the opportunity to work individually with over 100 startups and emerging growth companies on a variety of marketing-focused initiatives. He has also focused on implementing programs that deliver competitive advantage for Highland portfolio companies. This includes CEO Summits, Marketing Summits, industry forums, best-practice workshops, the Highland Extranet and Highland Career Network, a first-of-its-kind industry program which has enabled Highland-backed companies to more effectively compete for talent across all levels of their organization.
As part of his charter, Michael looks to connect portfolio companies in other ways as well. In 2003, he created Courtside@Highland, Highland’s annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and gathering to recognize the hard work by personnel at Highland’s portfolio companies. Michael and his team also designed and executed Highland’s 20th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Gala Celebration, the largest startup and entrepreneurial gathering ever held by a venture firm (over 1,000 participants, including 300 CEOs).
In addition, Michael works closely with the top universities, business schools and entrepreneurial organizations around the world to apply Highland resources in helping the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs become successful. With this community in mind, he has developed and launched such innovative programs as:
Summer@Highland, a comprehensive and intensive 10-week offering that provides select student entrepreneurs with the environment and resources to focus on an idea for building a company. Five of the fifteen teams that have participated in the Summer program have raised institutional funding to date (two are backed by Highland - Gemvara & Affine Systems).
Summer Internships, an initiative for actively working with university placement offices and Highland-backed companies to create openings for university students looking to gain work experience in startup environments. Last year 25 summer positions were posted for students.
Entrepreneurship Central, a unique online platform for globally sharing advice, perspective and best practices on key aspects of the company creation process. BusinessWeek has recognized Entrepreneurship Central as one of the top resources for entrepreneurs.
Connect@Highland, a series of bi-coastal events organized for connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with early stage company founders and key players across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
THE QUEST for Innovation,
a
unique initiative to bring together leaders of the New England
innovation economy to celebrate Boston's heritage as the global hub for
revolutionary ideas and innovation and further support not-for-profit
programs focused on enhancing entrepreneurship in the region.
Finally, Michael is responsible for the Highland Entrepreneur Center, a dedicated environment in both Highland's Lexington and Menlo Park offices for seeding and hosting entrepreneurs and startups. Since its 2001 launch, over 60 seed and early stage initiatives have resided in a Highland Entrepreneur Center.
Background Prior to joining Highland, Michael was Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Gentia Software (Boston/London) where he led the efforts to re-brand the company in the analytical application space, notably around the Balanced Scorecard. Before that, he was Vice President of Marketing at IQ Software (Atlanta), a decision support software tools company. Prior to IQ, Michael held a variety of marketing, product management and software development roles at Unisys Corporation (Blue Bell, PA, Christchurch, New Zealand and Minneapolis) as well as Analysts International (Rochester, MN).
Education University of Michigan, B.S., Computer Engineering University of St. Thomas, M.B.A., Marketing
Interests Michael actively participates in numerous entrepreneurial and professional organizations, primarily those focused on further facilitating and fostering innovation. These currently include the UMass Boston's Entrepreneurship Center (Advisory Board), Suffolk University's "Innovation to Execution" initiative (Board), the Nantucket Conference (Advisory Board), TiE-Boston (Charter Member), TechStars (Mentor) and the University of Michigan Biosciences Network. Michael lives in the Boston area with his wife, Jennifer, and three children. They enjoy traveling and having fun together as a family, particularly as often as they can up in Vermont.
