Michael Silton is a fourth-generation founder who built and took Rainmaker Systems public on Nasdaq before becoming a venture investor, giving him hands-on experience with the full spectrum of founder outcomes from failure to IPO. He co-founded Act One Ventures in Los Angeles after serving as Executive Director of the UCLA Venture Capital Fund, bringing over three decades of continuity from early internet software through today's B2B startups.

• Deep engagement with the UCLA entrepreneurial community and alumni network. He frequently highlights companies founded by fellow Bruins and participates in campus events, such as judging the student venture competitions or promoting talks by high-profile alumni like the CEO of Uber.
• Consistent public support for portfolio companies achieving major milestones. He actively celebrates funding rounds and acquisitions, such as sharing news about Finix raising their Series A and B rounds or Silversheet being acquired by AMN Healthcare.
• Interest in B2B software and vertical-specific technology solutions that digitize traditional industries. He has highlighted innovations like AI bookkeeping for construction sites by Veryfi and water technology leadership from WaterPlanet.
• Enthusiasm for digital health and wearable technology. He promoted Bloomlife for its pregnancy tracking wearable during CES and acknowledged its fundraising success, showing an appetite for hardware that solves specific health problems.