About Me

I’m Michael Gale, CEO of The Entrepreneurs Group, where I’m fortunate enough to combine my lifelong passions for entrepreneurship and cross-cultural connection.

My drive for innovation and building bridges across cultures stemmed from family. My mother, Fay Gale, was a passionate social geographer deeply involved with the social issues of her time, particularly amongst indigenous communities. It was through her that I discovered the importance of cross-cultural communication, fostering my passion for diplomacy and philanthropy. Her career led her, and by extension a much younger me, around the world. On these adventures I began to learn the skills needed to engage and collaborate with people from a variety of rich cultures. I learned that it is possible to connect with anyone with the right mindset. I also discovered that wherever you are in the world, you will find a spirit of adventure, of opportunity, and a desire to do good in every community. These core traits, when mixed with a large dose of courage, are the ingredients of an entrepreneur.

I have spent most of my life building companies, crossing borders, and connecting people. What started in Adelaide, South Australia in the early 1980s as a venture importing educational software became a global journey through the tech revolution. I moved into Silicon Valley during the dot-com era, then into investment banking, cross-border finance, and global entrepreneurship. Along the way, I’ve worked with more than a hundred startups and played a part in the global expansion of companies like Macromedia, HAHT Software, F5 Networks, Akamai, and Apple. As an early entrant into China, I helped Macromedia establish a joint venture shortly after the resumption of trade following the June 4^th incident.

In the 2000s and 2010s I led advisory firms, asset managers, and venture capital platforms in Switzerland, the Middle East, and Aisa Pacific. My desire to help founders realise their vision and investors make an impact led me to found The Entrepreneurs Group in Abu Dhabi.

The GCC is undergoing historic cultural and economic shifts, leading to one of the largest opportunities to intelligently manage capital in the world. Through strong connections to the region built through genuine relationships and years of experience, we are well-placed to play a significant role in the evolving economic landscape of the region. The Entrepreneurs Group is on the verge of an unprecedented step forward with global implications and cross-cultural investments in emerging markets and technologies.

My commitment to people extends beyond business. As a board member of Project Rozana, I work to foster health diplomacy between Palestinians and Israelis because collaboration and long-term thinking are as essential in philanthropy as they are in entrepreneurship. A belief that the best outcomes are born from collaboration is what guides Project Rozana, and it is a belief I share.

Across all my work, my guiding principle remains the same: connect visionaries with the resources, relationships, and perspective they need to build something that lasts. Entrepreneurship and collaboration aren’t just tools; they pave the way to a brighter future.