“Mike has been a huge supporter and helped us navigate the Chicago landscape as we grow our presence in the market. Connecting with chefs and operators who care about quality is huge as we grow in a new community. He’s helped us fundraise and connect with others who look for the next investment–which is amazing–as we believe that we have something special here, and Mike always shares his beliefs as to why he sees what we see.”

Flip Isard

CEO & Co-Founder of Frites Street

"Mike has been incredibly helpful and a mentor to the members of UChicago's Gotham Chi VC! He is someone who measures his impact in both business outcomes and individuals helped. I am grateful to have been able to hear Mike's insights and wisdom in the venture capital space. It is rare to find someone as community minded and forward thinking as Mike, and I believe the Chicago tech ecosystem would be lesser without him.."

Marcus Brotman

Student / Founder of Gotham Chi

"Mike has been my advisor for over a year now and I can say that he is wildly helpful and more importantly, proactive, when it comes to trying to help me and my company. I've found his advice to be extremely helpful with regards to dealing with customers as well as helping me grapple with some of the more challenging strategic questions I've had to grapple with.
In the restaurant space he an extensive network and has proven to be extremely open and generous with those connections.
Can't recommend Mike enough!"

Buck Jordan

Investor / Entrepreneur / Founder @ Vebu Labs

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike for nearly three years and continue to be impressed by his instinct for uncovering overlooked yet exceptional venture opportunities. He’s a thoughtful, curious investor with a rare ability to build meaningful connections across industries. Beyond his professional savvy, Mike is simply a good human- someone you can trust and genuinely enjoy working with."

Lauren Mead

Investor / Member of 3i Members

"Mike is more than an investor or board member—he is a true partner, mentor, and advocate. He doesn’t just invest in companies; he invests in people, bringing not only capital but also strategic insight, thoughtful guidance, and an unwavering commitment to a founder’s success.
The value of having investors who are true partners cannot be overstated. It’s the difference between capital and conviction, between passive support and active belief.
We are incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team and even more grateful to call him a friend."

Crystal McInnis

Founder / CRO @ Sypher