Michael Robinson
B. Math, MBA, Ph.D., CFA, ICD.D

Dr. Robinson is a Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurial and Innovation in the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Prior to his retirement, he taught corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, new venture finance, and corporate governance in both degree and Executive Education programs. He has been the Co-Academic Director of the Haskayne offering of the ICD-Rotman Directors’ Education Program (DEP) since 2004 and was the first site lead and instructor for the Creative Destruction Lab Rockies program. For the past two years, he has been working with the Canadian Venture Capital Association to offer governance programming for founders, VC and PE investors, and independent directors.

Prior to becoming an academic, Dr. Robinson worked as a computer programmer, systems analyst, and project manager for an early-stage technology venture. He worked in the venture capital industry during a three-year leave from the University of Calgary and is currently an active angel investor. He has extensive director experience having served on several corporate, industry association, non-profit, and government oversight boards. Dr. Robinson has published several books and academic research papers that study Canadian capital markets, market efficiency, and methods of raising equity capital for developing firms. His most recent book, entitled Founder’s Guide to Governance: Beyond a Good Idea, is based on academic research and interviews with Canadian founders and investors and examines the governance challenges that a private equity corporation will experience at different stages of development.