Michael’s lifelong passion is unlocking the potential of advanced technologies to innovate, expand, and transform businesses, industries, and society. He is a venture builder and a recognized thought leader on technological transformation. He spent 20 years at McKinsey & Company, where he led the Technology Practice for APAC, advising CEOs and Boards on digital transformation and tech business building. Prior to founding Antares Ventures, he successfully ran the same investment strategy in a family office/syndicate format, delivering outstanding performance.
He founded Antares Ventures upon recognizing that bridging cutting-edge innovation with regional opportunities presents a unique chance to tackle the most pressing sustainability challenges of Asia Growth Markets, while unlocking immense value for innovators, investors, and strategic partners. Antares builds on his six years of executing the same investment strategy and leverages exceptional regional connectivity and local ecosystem synergies.
An active deep tech investor, co-founder, board member, and advisor, Michael has backed over 30 startups globally, holding eleven board positions, including three as chairman. He is deeply embedded in the global Deep Tech ecosystem, collaborating with R&D institutions, VC firms, and accelerators.
Previously, Michael was the Group Chief Digital Officer of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Southeast Asia’s largest conglomerate with an estimated $100bn consolidated revenue. In parallel, he was the executive vice chairman of several CP technology business units, including Ascend AI (Artificial Intelligence), Ascend Bit (blockchain & crypto), True IDC (cloud), True Analytics and True Digital (digital media). He also represented CP’s interest as a board member across several growth-stage technology investments in China, Europe and the U.S.
Michael holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in computer science (both summa cum laude) from the University of Ghent. A global citizen, he has lived in more than 10 countries, worked in over 30, and speaks six languages.
