Michael Burtov

Chief Innovation Officer of NSU and Executive Director

Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation

Michael Burtov is a serial venture-backed entrepreneur, innovation leader, and the Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, where he leads efforts to scale South Florida's tech and innovation ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurs, researchers, and corporate innovators. He is also the Co-Founder of CGU (Connecting Giants & Unicorns), a nonprofit innovation network that bridges startups with corporations, investors, and governments through events, strategic partnerships, and a growing global community.

Previously, Michael founded Burtov Consulting, an innovation consultancy that supported the growth and success of over a thousand startups. With a 20-year career in the startup ecosystem, he has transformed his own ideas into thriving businesses, generating millions in both revenue and venture funding. His personal entrepreneurial journey includes an appearance on ABC's Shark Tank, features in mini-documentaries on the Discovery Channel and CNN's Great Big Story, and recognition of his inventions on the cover of Time Magazine and in hundreds of media outlets worldwide.

He is the author of The Evergreen Startup, a popular book that offers valuable insights into early-stage startup fundraising. His deep expertise in startup incubation and scaling has made him a trusted partner for over a thousand startups, particularly in the areas of fundraising and business development. His insights on innovation have been highly sought after, making him a featured speaker, collaborator, and mentor at leading organizations including Harvard Business School, Harvard Innovation Labs, MIT Sloan School of Management, and prestigious startup incubators and accelerators. He also served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the MIT Enterprise Forum.

Michael's entrepreneurial achievements have earned him numerous awards, including the Edison Universe Edison Award, Time Magazine Best Inventions Award, Brandeis University Alumni Entrepreneur Award, and the TechCrunch Disrupt Wildcard Award. He also holds multiple patents, underscoring his technical ingenuity and forward-thinking approach to business.