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Michael Saylor
Saylor in 2022
Born	(1965-02-04) 4 February 1965 (age 59) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma mater	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BSc)
Occupation(s)	Executive chairman and president of MicroStrategy
Notable work	The Mobile Wave

Michael J. Saylor (born February 4, 1965) is an American entrepreneur and business executive. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of MicroStrategy, a company that provides business intelligence, mobile software, and cloud-based services. Saylor was MicroStrategy's chief executive officer from 1989 to 2022. He is currently the Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy. Saylor is a bitcoin advocate and under Saylor MicroStrategy has spent billions of dollars to purchase over a hundred-thousand bitcoin. He authored the 2012 book The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything. He is also the sole trustee of Saylor Academy, a provider of free online education.

Early Life and Education

Saylor was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on February 4, 1965, and spent his early years on various Air Force bases around the world, as his father was an Air Force chief master sergeant. When Saylor was 11, the family settled in Fairborn, Ohio, near the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

In 1983, Saylor enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on an Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) full scholarship. He joined the Theta Delta Chi fraternity, through which he met the future co-founder of MicroStrategy, Sanju Bansal. Saylor double majored in aeronautical & astronautical engineering and history of science.

A medical condition prevented him from becoming a pilot, and instead, he got a job with a consulting firm, The Federal Group, Inc. in 1987, where he focused on computer simulation modeling for a software integration company. In 1988, Saylor became an internal consultant at DuPont, where he developed computer models to help the company anticipate change in its key markets. The simulations predicted that there would be a recession in many of DuPont's major markets in 1990.

MicroStrategy

Saylor co-founded MicroStrategy in 1989 alongside his MIT classmate Sanju Bansal. Initially focusing on software development and consulting, the company quickly carved out a niche in the business intelligence (BI) sector. MicroStrategy's flagship product is its business intelligence platform, which helps organizations analyze vast amounts of data to make informed business decisions. This platform includes features for data discovery, advanced analytics, and mobile and cloud-based services, catering to a wide range of industries from finance to healthcare.

MicroStrategy went public in June 1998, and its IPO marked a significant milestone, reflecting the growing demand for business intelligence solutions in the digital age. The company continued to innovate, introducing new products and services that expanded its market reach. Under Saylor's leadership, MicroStrategy became known for its innovative technology and robust analytical tools, which enabled businesses to leverage big data for strategic insights and competitive advantage. The company’s emphasis on innovation and quality helped it establish a powerful reputation in the tech industry.

Despite facing challenges, including an accounting controversy in 2000 that resulted in a settlement with the SEC, MicroStrategy emerged resiliently. The company restated its earnings and rebuilt its credibility in the market. Over the years, MicroStrategy has adapted to changing market dynamics, embracing cloud computing and mobile analytics. Saylor’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in guiding the company through these transformations, ensuring that it remains a leading player in the business intelligence and analytics industry.

Saylor is a named inventor on more than 48+ patents. In addition to being credited as the inventor of relational analytics, he led MicroStrategy into the fields of web analytics, distributed analytics, mobile analytics, cloud computing, mobile identity, and IoT. He was also the creator and founder of Alarm.com (NASDAQ: ALRM), one of the first home automation and security companies, and Angel.com (sold to Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories for $110 million in 2013), one of the first cloud-based interactive voice response service providers.

On August 8, 2022, Saylor assumed the title of executive chairman of MicroStrategy and appointed Phong Le, the company’s president to succeed him as CEO. Phong Le, the company's president, succeeded him as CEO. Saylor said in a press release, "As Executive Chairman I will be able to focus more on our bitcoin acquisition strategy and related bitcoin advocacy initiatives, while Phong will be empowered as CEO to manage overall corporate operations."

As of 2024, he owns 1,999,858 shares, about 10.3% of the total outstanding shares, and has 53% of the voting power.

Bitcoin Advocacy

Saylor has emerged as one of the most prominent advocates & leaders for Bitcoin in the corporate world. His journey with Bitcoin began in 2020 when he officially announced that MicroStrategy had adopted Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset. This strategic move was driven by Saylor’s belief that Bitcoin is a superior store of value compared to traditional cash reserves, especially in the context of a depreciating US dollar and rising inflation.

Under Saylor’s leadership, MicroStrategy made its first major Bitcoin purchase in August 2020, acquiring 21,454 bitcoins for $250 million. This bold move was followed by additional purchases, bringing the company's total Bitcoin holdings to over 226,500 bitcoins in 2024. Saylor’s decision was based on his assessment that Bitcoin’s digital scarcity and decentralized nature make it an ideal hedge against inflation and a reliable store of value in the long term. He has often referred to Bitcoin as "digital gold."

Saylor has taken a proactive role in promoting Bitcoin beyond MicroStrategy. He has frequently appeared on various media platforms, including television interviews, podcasts, and conferences, to discuss the advantages of Bitcoin and its potential to revolutionize the global financial system. His advocacy is not limited to financial benefits; he often highlights the technological and philosophical aspects of Bitcoin, emphasizing its role in promoting financial sovereignty and privacy.

In addition to his media appearances, Saylor founded the Bitcoin for Corporations initiative, which aims to educate other companies and institutional investors about the benefits of Bitcoin. The initiative includes a series of conferences and seminars where business leaders can learn about integrating Bitcoin into their corporate strategies. Saylor’s efforts have significantly contributed to the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, with several other companies following MicroStrategy’s lead in adopting Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.

Publications

Saylor is also an author. He wrote "The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything" (2012), in which he explores the impact of mobile technology on various industries and the global economy. The book anticipated the impact of mobile, cloud, and social networks on worldwide political and economic development, along with the rise of Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google as transnational technology leaders that would destabilize the status quo across most industrial and political domains. The Mobile Wave appeared on both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal Best Seller lists.

As of 2016, Saylor had been granted 31 patents and had 9 additional applications under review.

Philanthropy

Saylor is involved in various philanthropic efforts. In 1999, Mr. Saylor established The Saylor Foundation, which has donated millions to philanthropic causes including children's health, refugee relief, education, environmental conservation, and support for the arts. The foundation runs the Saylor Academy (Saylor.org), a nonprofit initiative aimed at providing free online education to students globally, which offers free college education and continuing professional development courses to students worldwide. To date, it has provided free educational services to more than 2 million students.

Awards and Recognition

Saylor has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career. In 1996, he was named KPMG High Tech Entrepreneur of the Year. His leadership at MicroStrategy earned him a spot-on Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year list in 1997. In 2016, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Business Intelligence (BI) Congress for his contributions to business intelligence and analytics. Additionally, Saylor has been featured in various industry publications and lists, recognizing his influence and impact on the tech industry and digital currency advocacy.

Personal Life

Saylor resides in Miami Beach, Florida. He is known for his interests in technology, education, and digital currencies.

Controversies

In 2000, Saylor and other executives of MicroStrategy were involved in an accounting scandal related to the company's financial statements. The issue was resolved with a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and MicroStrategy restated its earnings.

On August 31, 2022, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia sued Saylor for tax fraud, accusing him of illegally avoiding more than $25 million in D.C. taxes by pretending to be a resident of other jurisdictions during the years 2005 to 2021. MicroStrategy was accused of collaborating with Saylor to facilitate his tax evasion by misreporting his residential address to local and federal tax authorities and failing to withhold D.C. taxes. Saylor issued a statement saying: "I respectfully disagree with the position of the District of Columbia and look forward to a fair resolution in the courts." In June 2024, Saylor settled the tax dispute by agreeing to pay a $40 million fine.

References

1. "Leadership". microstrategy.com. MicroStrategy. 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
2. ^ Jaffe, Harry (1 March 2000). "The Seven Billion Dollar Man". The Washingtonian. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
3. ^ Leibovich, Mark (6 January 2002). "MicroStrategy's CEO Sped to the Brink". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
4. ^ Glasser, Jeff (15 July 1996). "From the Ground Up and Up". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 31 August 2000. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
5. ^ Salter, Chuck (31 March 2000). "People and Technology – MicroStrategy Inc". Fast Company. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
6. ^ Stewart Alsop (8 September 1997). "Now I know how a real visionary sounds". CNNMoney.com. CNN. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
7. Debra Lau (18 December 2000). "Forbes Faces: Michael Saylor". Forbes.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
8. David S. Hilzenrath (15 December 2000). "Saylor, Associates Settle Fraud Charges". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
9. "SEC Brings Civil Charges Against MicroStrategyand Three Executive Officers for Accounting Violations". sec.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 14 December 2000. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
10. Plotz, David (23 March 2000). "Michael Saylor MicroStrategy's cult leader". Slate. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
11. Yang, Catherine (8 February 2004). "MicroStrategy's Second Wind". Businessweek.com. Bloomberg. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
12. David S. Hilzenrath (14 April 2000). "SEC Investigating MicroStrategy". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
13. MicroStrategy (2 August 2022). "MicroStrategy Announces Separation of Chairman and CEO Roles and Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results; Michael Saylor to Assume the Role of Executive Chairman and Phong Le to Serve as Chief Executive Officer".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
14. "Bitcoin is the best investment asset: Michael Saylor". Yahoo Finance. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
15. MicroStrategy (1 August 2024). "MicroStrategy Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Now Holds 226,500 BTC".
16. Medici, Andy (11 August 2020). "MicroStrategy buys $250M in Bitcoin as CEO says it's superior to cash". Washington Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
17. ^ Saylor, Michael (14 August 2024). "Bitcoin is Hope".
18. Medici, Andy (14 December 2020). "MicroStrategy just raised $650M — and it's investing it all in Bitcoin". Washington Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
19. ^ Fridman, Lex (14 April 2022). "Michael Saylor: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Money".
20. MicroStrategy (10 August 2020). "Bitcoin For Corporations".
21. Ross Joynt, Carol (27 June 2012). "MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor's "The Mobile Wave" Examines the Implications of Mobile Technology". The Washingtonian. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
22. "Best Sellers — Hardcover Nonfiction". The New York Times. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
23. "Best-Selling Books, Week Ended July 15". The Wall Street Journal. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
24. "Patents by Inventor Michael J. Saylor". Justia.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
25. "About the Saylor Foundation". saylor.org. Saylor Foundation. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
26. Washington Post (21 June 2000). "Michael Saylor".
27. Hinden, Stan (6 July 1996). "Transforming information into another public utility".
28. MIT (1999). "Innovators under 35".
29. SEC (14 December 2000). "SEC Brings Civil Charges Against MicroStrategy and Three Executive Officers for Accounting Violations".
30. "AG Racine Sues DC-Based Billionaire Michael Saylor & Software Company Microstrategy for Evading More Than $25 Million in District Taxes". oag.dc.gov. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
31. Feiner, Lauren (31 August 2022). "MicroStrategy Chair Michael Saylor accused of evading $25 million in taxes by DC attorney general". CNBC.
32. Laris, Michael (3 June 2024). "Bitcoin billionaire, firm to settle D.C. tax fraud suit for $40 million". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.

External links

• Official website

• 1965 births
• American technology chief executives
• Living people
• MIT School of Engineering alumni
• People from Fairborn, Ohio
• People from Lincoln, Nebraska
• Businesspeople from Nebraska
• Businesspeople from Ohio
• 20th-century American businesspeople
• 21st-century American businesspeople
• American technology company founders
• American technology writers
• American philanthropists
• People associated with cryptocurrency
• People associated with Bitcoin