About
Michael Dell founded Dell from a University of Texas dorm room in 1984 on the build-to-order model that removed the reseller margin from PCs, and took the company public in 1988 at age 23. He took Dell private in a $24.9B buyout in 2013, acquired EMC for $67B in 2016 in the largest technology acquisition ever at the time, and returned it to public markets in 2018. He invests through MSD Capital and Dell Technologies Capital.
Founder at Force10
Intro paths
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In turn, Michael can intro founders to Force10's investors below.
Force10's investors · 6
Experience
- Dell TechnologiesChairman and CEOcurrent1984 — presentAustin, Texas Area
- Michael & Susan Dell FoundationCo Foundercurrent1999 — presentAustin, Texas Area
- DFO Management, LLCFoundercurrent1998 — present
- MSD Partners, L.P.Foundercurrent2009 — present
- SecureWorksChairman2011 — 2025
- VMwareChairman2016 — 2023
- Dell BoomiChairman Of The Board2010 — 2021
- Pivotal, Inc.Board Member2016 — 2019
Education
- The University of Texas at Austin1983 — 1984
Skills & more
Enterprise Software99Solution Selling99Virtualization99Cloud Computing99SaaS99Go-to-market Strategy99Storage Solutions99Business Alliances99Strategy99Professional Services99Channel99Product Management99
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Partner ManagementSolution ArchitectureEntrepreneurshipIT StrategyE-commerceSalesforce.comChannel PartnersStrategic PartnershipsStart-upsIntegrationData CenterSANFrom Michael's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Michael Dell work?
- Michael Dell is Founder at Force10.
- What companies did Michael Dell found?
- Michael Dell founded Force10.
Paths to reach Michael
People who overlapped with Michael at the same organization — a shared school or employer with one of them is a warm way in.
Together at VMwareMichael: Chairman
Martin Casado2016General Partner at Andreessen HorowitzNorthern Arizona UniversityDouglas Lemott Jr.2020–2021Vice President, SAP National Security Services at Riphean InvestmentsHarvard Kennedy School · Massachusetts Institute of Technology · National War CollegeCindi2021–2023Investor at TFX CapitalGeorgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business · Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF · University of Colorado Colorado SpringsAjit Mayya2016–2021Investor at Pentathlon VenturesIndian Institute of Technology, Bombay · University of Wisconsin-MadisonLucy Mangas2016Go-To-Market at Roble VenturesStanford University Graduate School of Business · Tecnológico de MonterreyOluwakayode (Kay) Jasanya2022Investor at SUPPLY CHANGE CAPITALMorgan State University · The Johns Hopkins University
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Together at PivotalMichael: Board Member
Mischa Vaughn2016–2019Head of Content at Felicis VenturesBard CollegeScott Aronson2016Operating Partner at StripesCollege of CharlestonJay Hum2016–2017Principal at Mighty CapitalIE Business School · University of ManitobaEric Schmalzbauer2016–2018Venture Partner at REFASHIOND VenturesNYU Stern School of Business · Syracuse UniversityMelinda French Gates2016–2019Co-chair (former) at Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationDuke University · Duke University - The Fuqua School of BusinessRichard Snee2016–2018CMO, Venture Partner at Crane Venture Partners
Together at DFO Management, LLCMichael: Founder
Amol Bhat2000–2002Head of Investor Relations at Mucker CapitalUNC Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolIsabelle Nichols2023–2025Formation Partner at Reveille VCDartmouth College · Greenwich Academy · Oxford UniversityLinda Chang2001–2003Director, Finance at DCVC (Data Collective)Boston UniversityGaby Yo2014–2016Vice President at Fifth Wall VenturesColumbia UniversityAlisa Mall2022–2026Partner at Foresite CapitalStanford Law School · Yale UniversityRobert Hansen2000–2003Partner at Peterson Venture PartnersBrigham Young University · Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Together at MSD Partners, L.P.Michael: Founder
Nina Lu2022–2024Principal at Dell Technologies CapitalMontgomery Blair High School · Stanford University Graduate School of Business · The Wharton SchoolSamson Mesele2026Partner and General Counsel at Union Square Ventures (USV)Duke University · Yale Law SchoolAlexander Pires2022–2024Director at Atlantic Vantage PointIvey Business School at Western University · St. George's International School, Switzerland · Western UniversityBridget Michalowski2022–2024Investor Relations Manager at Clean Energy VenturesHarvard University · Victor Senior High SchoolMark Hawkins2023–2026Venture Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA)Michigan State University · University of Colorado Colorado SpringsJessica Leggett2019–2025Managing Partner at AstiaThe University of Texas at Austin
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Together at Michael & Susan Dell FoundationMichael: Co Founder
Srikrishna Ramamoorthy2009–2011Venture Partner at Capria VenturesBangalore University · RV College Of EngineeringDebobroto Das2021–2025Director at Aavishkaar Venture Management Services Private LimitedSt. Stephen's College, DelhiRahil Rangwala2011–2017Managing Partner at AccionHarvard Business School Executive Education · New York University · The University of Texas at Austin
Founder mafias
The University of Texas at Austin mafia106
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Michael GortonPhysics & Engineering w minor in EnglishFounded Principal Solar +2Amar SawhneyM.S. and PhDFounded Access Closure +2Arlo GilbertPolitical ScienceFounded Osano +1Erik HuddlestonBAFounded Trendkite +1Celine HaliquaBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded Longevity Drugs for Dogs +1Dheeraj PandeyMS (Ph.D. dropout)Founded DevRev Developer Tools San Francisco +1
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Pivotal mafia4
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended The University of Texas at Austin354
Viswa SankaranarayananVenture Partner at Monta Vista CapitalTodd KleinManaging Partner, Revolution Growth at RevolutionSapna MehtaInvestor at RevolutionAaron LiuPrincipal at NorthzoneAndrew ScottSenior Finance Manager at GreycroftMichael HsuSenior Associate at Sapphire Ventures
+ 348 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Dell Technologies158
Jim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalBill RichterCEO of Qumulo and venture partner at MadronaSujal PatelStrategic Director at Madrona Venture GroupAtli ThorkelssonVP of Network at Redpoint VenturesGil GorenPartner at 83NorthMichael KlaykoOperating Executive at Marlin Equity Partners
+ 152 more
Also worked at DFO Management, LLC6
Also worked at SecureWorks2
Also worked at VMware102
Martin CasadoGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzJavier SolteroSenior Venture Partner at Felicis VenturesJob SimonVenture Partner and CTO at Monta Vista CapitalHemamAdvisor at Clear VenturesBogomil BalkanskyHome chef and food blogger, venture capital partner, and wildlife photographerPeter GiordanoFormer Global Director GTM Strategy at Scale Venture Partners
+ 96 more