Michael joined Highland in 1999 and serves as Senior Vice President. He spearheads a number of key strategic market, portfolio and entrepreneurial development initiatives.  Michael is also responsible for the firm’s marketing programs, media relations, events, speaking, online and direct marketing activities across all funds and geographies (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 125 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.

In addition, Michael works closely with the top entrepreneurial organizations, industry associations, universities and other leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to help 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. Since its launch in 2007, 25 university-affiliated startups have participated in the program and a number have gone on to raise institutional funding to date.

• PepsiCo10, a first of its kind collaborative partnership with PepsiCo and Mashable to find and work with the most promising start-ups in media, communications and technology.  Twenty startups (U.S. & Europe) have been selected over the last two years to work with PepsiCo brand marketers, agency partners and other experts to roll out pilot initiatives across PepsiCo brands.

• 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.
• 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.
• Summer Internships, an initiative for actively working with university placement offices and Highland-backed companies to create openings for students and new graduates looking to join a startup.
  

Michael is responsible for the Highland Entrepreneur Center, a dedicated environment in both Highland's East & West Coast offices for seeding and hosting entrepreneurs and startups. Since its 2001 launch, over 80 seed and early stage initiatives have resided in a Highland Entrepreneur Center.

As part of his charter, Michael also looks to connect Highland 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).

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 (IBM Rochester, MN).

 

Education

University of Michigan, B.S., Computer Engineering

University of St. Thomas, M.B.A., Marketing

 

Interests

Michael is actively involved in numerous entrepreneurial initiatives, particularly those focused on further facilitating community and fostering innovation.  Current areas of involvement include Startup Massachusetts (Steering Committee), the UMass Boston's Entrepreneurship Center (Advisory Board), Suffolk University's "Innovation to Execution" initiative (Board), the Nantucket Conference (Advisory Board since 2001), TiE-Boston (Charter Member) and the University of Michigan Biosciences Network.  He has also actively been involved as a mentor and/or speaker with DreamIt Ventures, ER Accelerator, Excelerate Labs, NYC SeedStart, Startup Weekend, TechStars and TiE. 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.