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Michael Smerklo

Entrepreneur, Investor, (Part-Time) Author

Michael Smerklo is a prominent entrepreneur and investor, currently serving as the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Next Coast Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. He co-founded the firm in October 2015 alongside Tom Ball, focusing on investing in innovative companies that are disrupting large markets.125

Professional Background

Smerklo has extensive experience in the technology sector, having spent nearly two decades as an operator, investor, and board member. Prior to his role at Next Coast Ventures, he was the CEO of ServiceSource International from 2003 to 2014, where he led the company from a small startup to a publicly traded entity with significant revenue growth. Under his leadership, ServiceSource became a market leader in recurring revenue management.23 He also held various positions in investment banking at firms like Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers early in his career.34

Education

Smerklo earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Miami University in Ohio. His education laid a strong foundation for his career in finance and entrepreneurship.24

Contributions and Publications

In addition to his investment work, Smerklo is an active author and blogger, sharing insights on entrepreneurship through his personal website. His book, Mr. Monkey and Me, released in November 2020, serves as a guide for entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of building successful businesses.35

Board Memberships

Michael Smerklo holds board positions at several companies, including Everlywell, Submittable, and LeanDNA, reflecting his ongoing commitment to supporting emerging businesses.12

Through his work at Next Coast Ventures and beyond, Smerklo continues to influence the entrepreneurial landscape by providing resources and guidance to new ventures.

Highlights

Mar 9 · forbes.com
Navigating The 2023 VC Landscape Interview: Mike Smerklo, Next ...
Michael Smerklo Delivers Lightning Talk at Austin A-List of Hottest ...

Related Questions

What are some of the most successful investments made by Next Coast Ventures?
How did Michael Smerklo's experience at ServiceSource influence his approach at Next Coast Ventures?
What are Michael Smerklo's key strategies for helping startups scale?
Can you provide examples of companies that have benefited from Michael Smerklo's board membership?
What inspired Michael Smerklo to transition from investment banking to entrepreneurship?
Michael Smerklo
Michael Smerklo, photo 1
Michael Smerklo, photo 2
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Experience

Co Founder & Managing Director at Next Coast Ventures
CEO at ServiceSource; Director of Business Development at Opsware; Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley; Associate at Lehman Brothers; Auditor at Ernst & Young

Education

MBA in Marketing, Organizational Development from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management (1996 - 1997); BS in Business from Miami University (1987 - 1991)

Location

Austin, Texas