Michael Chasen

Michael Chasen is an entrepreneur who is focused in the technology, education and Social Local Mobile (SoLoMo) space. After co-founding Blackboard Inc., an eLearning software company used by over 20,000 institutions in more than 70 countries, with over 20 million students and faculty utilizing the platforms, Chasen led the company as CEO for 15 years and successfully sold it to Providence Equity Partners for $1.7 billion in 2011.

Chasen helped to create ten data centers around the world and worked to establish the first true Cloud solution for education. While Blackboard sold its software to colleges, universities, and schools, it also developed its software for use by the consumer. What emerged was Blackboard Mobile Learn and Blackboard Mobile Central, which were both marketed directly to students, garnering millions of users.

He is the current CEO and co-founder of SocialRadar, a company focused on the mobile location services space. Chasen is also an investor and advisor to several companies that are focused on using technology to improve education as well as several start-up ventures and mature companies across the technology spectrum.

Chasen has a degree in computer programming from American University and his MBA from Georgetown University. As a speaker, his engaging topics help educators, students, institutions, and corporations understand the importance of technology as a learning tool as well as how youth can become more engaged in the classroom.