Dealmaking and Operational
Innovation
Private Equity • Corporate Development
Strategy • Innovation • Growth
“The best software investors are the ones who’ve had to explain a renewal number to their own board.”
An operator's read on enterprise software.
Michael is a Managing Partner at Trajectory Capital, where he focuses on growth-stage investments in B2B enterprise software — the systems that quietly run finance, operations, and infrastructure teams inside the world's companies.
Before Trajectory, he spent over a decade in operating and investing roles across enterprise software, working closely with founders on go-to-market strategy, capital structure, and the long stretch between product-market fit and category leadership.
He sits on the boards of several Trajectory portfolio companies and advises founders on scaling revenue teams, structuring later-stage rounds, and preparing for a durable exit.
Latest Articles
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Building an Effective M&A Deal Team
M&A is a unique exercise within a corporation. This creates an unusual challenge for corporate development leaders.
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The Duality of Today’s Private Director Role
The mythology of board governance is built around public companies, but that framework obscures where the real complexity lives.
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Pressure Creates Diamonds But Also Bursts Pipes - How to Balance Driving the Management Team with Realistic Expectations
PE backed board members face a unique challenge.
Podcasts & Interviews
Tune in to Michael's participations in podcasts and interviews, where he shares expert insights and perspectives in thought-provoking discussions with industry leaders and professionals shaping the business world.
Michael Frankel's Published Works
Discover Michael's published works, offering expert insights into mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, and the art of dealmaking. These books provide valuable guidance for professionals navigating the complex world of business transactions.
