michael saylor

Michael J. Saylor, born on February 4, 1965, in Lincoln, Nebraska, is an American entrepreneur, executive, inventor, author, and philanthropist. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of MicroStrategy, a company he founded in 1989 that specializes in business intelligence, mobile software, and cloud-based services.

Career and Achievements:

  • MicroStrategy: Under Saylor’s leadership, MicroStrategy went public in 1998 and became a significant player in the business intelligence sector. The company has also become a major holder of Bitcoin, acquiring nearly 500,000 bitcoins at an average price of $66,000 each.
  • Bitcoin Advocacy: Saylor is a prominent advocate for Bitcoin, viewing it as a superior store of value and a hedge against inflation. His firm, MicroStrategy, has invested billions in Bitcoin, significantly influencing the cryptocurrency market.
  • Saylor Academy: In 1999, Saylor established the Saylor Foundation, now known as Saylor Academy, a nonprofit organization offering free online education to over 2 million students worldwide.

Recent Developments:

In August 2022, Saylor stepped down as CEO of MicroStrategy to focus on the company’s Bitcoin investment strategy and related advocacy efforts. He appointed Phong Le as CEO, while he assumed the role of executive chairman.

Publications:

Saylor authored “The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything,” published in 2012. The book discusses the impact of mobile technology on various sectors, including commerce, healthcare, and education. ​

Controversies:

In the early 2000s, MicroStrategy faced legal challenges, including a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over accounting irregularities. More recently, in 2024, Saylor paid a $40 million fine to settle a tax fraud lawsuit.

Personal Life:

Saylor grew up in a military family, living on various U.S. Air Force bases during his youth. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he double-majored in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, and the history of science.

Online Presence:

Saylor continues to be a significant figure in the tech industry and cryptocurrency space, known for his bold investment strategies and advocacy for Bitcoin.​

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