Michael Hatfield

Enthusiast
DISC Type : i

Angel Investor and Mentor at Self-employed

Petaluma, California, United States

Overview

Michael Hatfield is a serial technology entrepreneur who has co-founded four successful ventures, including Cerent (acquired by Cisco for nearly $7 billion) and Carium (acquired by Healthmap). An alumnus of Rose-Hulman and Indiana University, he is now an active angel investor and mentor, focused on building high-performance teams.

Michael is passionate about fostering new ventures, demonstrated by his deep involvement with his alma maters Sawmill Society Angel Network, where he mentors and invests in alumni startups. He also founded and provided the initial $3.5 million gift to establish the Indiana Venture Center to support entrepreneurship in the state.

He has co-founded four successful tech companies: Cerent, Calix, Cyan, and Carium, leading to multiple successful acquisitions.

Personality Overview

Non-Confrontational

Story Driven

Consensus Focused

They prefer to build relationships rather than staying totally transactional.  Unlike D or C types, they are convinced more by stories and testimonials. They agree with others often, so exercise caution when relying on their word.

Topics They Care About

Healthcare Technology
Co-founded and served as Executive Chairman of Carium, a virtual care platform, which was acquired by Healthmap Solutions to advance patient-centered technology.
Startup Exits
As a serial entrepreneur, he has successfully founded and exited multiple companies, including Cerent's acquisition by Cisco and Cyan's by Ciena.
Alumni-Led Ventures
Through the Rose-Hulman Sawmill Society Angel Network, he actively seeks to fund and mentor "investment-worthy" startups founded by fellow alumni.

Media Appearances

Michael has no verified media appearances

Work History

2-2025
Angel Investor and Mentor at Self-employed
2-2025
Executive Chairman and Co-Founder at Carium (Acquired by Healthmap)
General Manager at Ciena (Formerly Cyan)
President and Founder at Cyan, Inc.
Founder at Calix

Education

1985 - 1987
M.B.A. from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business
1980 - 1984
Bachelor of Science - BS from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 1 Location : Petaluma, California, United States Job Level : Senior Designation : Angel Investor and Mentor at Self-employed
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Insights For Selling To Michael

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Refer to interesting customer testimonials and stress on great customer experience
  • Give them the opportunity to lead the conversation where possible
  • Speak from experience about success that the product has seen with other customers

DONT's

  • Don’t be too formal with them, they trust informality more
  • Avoid overloading them with too much information
  • Don’t be excessively objective, be like a storyteller with them

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Michael is

  • Relationship and rapport are valuable for them, but so is proven product value.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Michael

  • They probably won't say no directly.


Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Michael move?

  • They are not the ones to make fast decisions, even while they stay committed.
  • Can Michael take some risk or not?

  • They can take some low-probability risks if needed.

You And Michael

Personality Compatibility


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