Michael Banks

Michael Banks, based in the Bay Area, boasts a prolific career spanning 15 years in the venture capital industry. He has made significant contributions to renowned firms such as Intel Capital, Steamboat Ventures, Palisades Ventures, and DE Shaw Ventures. During his tenure at Intel Capital, Michael spearheaded investments in cutting-edge technologies at Architecture Labs while supervising a team of 20 professionals. At Steamboat Ventures, the venture arm of Disney, he navigated strategic investments in various digital media sectors.

Transitioning into partnership roles, Michael's stint at Palisades Ventures saw him leading investments in 13 broadband and media technology companies, yielding impressive returns for the firm. His subsequent role at DE Shaw Ventures involved executing deals across diverse investment domains. In 2012, he ventured into launching Windy Hill Capital, a seed fund targeting advanced hardware and software technologies.

Before delving into venture capitalism, Michael honed his skills as an entrepreneur and consultant. He co-founded AdCam, an imaging company, and also contributed as one of the early employees at Cornerstone Research, a premier economics consulting firm. His work at the latter involved developing intricate financial trading models alongside Nobel laureate Myron Scholes.

Michael's academic journey includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The Anderson School at UCLA, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Policy/Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Economy from Stanford University. Beyond his professional endeavors, Michael finds joy in outdoor pursuits like hiking and skiing with his family.