Michael Gale Interview
Michael Gale’s journey from tech entrepreneur to investment banker and wealth manager has been shaped by firsthand experience with the challenges of raising and managing capital as an entrepreneur. As a founder, he discovered that markets, teams, and execution were all critical, but the ultimate barrier to success was access to capital This is the insight that fuelled his transition to the financial side of entrepreneurship, where he streamlines and enhances the entrepreneurial journey as CEO of The Entrepreneurs Group.
Bringing a global perspective from Silicon Valley to Abu Dhabi, Gale has developed an investment philosophy that blends innovation with local context, sustainability, and long-term growth. His approach balances venture capital’s high-risk opportunities with the stability of wealth management, ensuring both preservation and scalable growth. With The Entrepreneurs Group, he is building a one-stop advisory firm tailored for founders, family offices, and mid-sized companies — positioning himself as a global partner for the wealth of tomorrow.
From Founder to Investor
We started the interview by asking, “What inspired your shift from being a tech entrepreneur to entering the world of investment banking and wealth management?”
Michael Gale replied, “I began my career as an entrepreneur, where I had to master everything from choosing the right market, building and scaling teams, developing technology, and controlling costs. But no matter how well you get those things right, one truth remains—you always need capital, and eventually you need help with exits like M&A. That means constantly engaging with venture investors, angel investors, and investment banks.
Once I had created wealth of my own, I wanted to be on the other side of the table. Instead of pitching to the people with the capital, I wanted to be one of them. That desire to shift from seeking investment to providing it is what ultimately led me from being an entrepreneur to becoming an investment banker.”
Entrepreneurial Insights in Finance
The UK Times: How has your entrepreneurial background influenced your approach as an investment banker?
Michael Gale replied, “Having transitioned to the financial side, I quickly realised just how difficult raising capital is for entrepreneurs. Many of them spend 60–70% of their time navigating financial services, and often more than half of that effort goes simply into deciding who to work with. That experience shaped my approach as an investment banker: I wanted to make the process far more efficient and supportive for entrepreneurs.
My focus became helping them across the entire lifecycle so they wouldn’t need to turn to different people at every stage. Whether they’re at ideation, venture, growth, mezzanine, or preparing for an exit through M&A or IPO, my goal has been to provide continuity, efficiency, and trusted guidance throughout their journey.
All of this really inspired a lot of the work behind The Entrepreneurs Group, where we’ve sought to have different kinds of business models and different ways of engaging with people so that we can support them from ideation to exit to when they want to invest their own money in another entrepreneur’s journey. My experience as an entrepreneur taught me the importance of this lifecycle perspective, as I often had to pursue many paths before achieving my goal. Our target has been to create a truly comprehensive, one-stop solution for entrepreneurs, mid-size companies entering the GCC and family offices seeking a loyal advisor to talk to.”
Mindset Shifts for Success
The UK Times: What were the biggest mindset or operational adjustments you had to make while transitioning from startup founder to wealth manager?
Michael Gale replied, “The biggest adjustment I had to make was shifting my perspective from being an entrepreneur to being an investor. At first, I was overly sympathetic—I got excited about every proposal, liked every team, and wanted to invest in anyone with a good idea and some momentum. What I didn’t realise was that even if a business concept was strong, as an investor you can’t step in and build it yourself. You’re not just investing in the business—you’re investing in the team. And if the team can’t deliver, you shouldn’t invest. Early on, I learned that lesson the hard way, losing money by backing good ideas without strong enough execution. Over time, I learned to distinguish between a good business, good businesspeople, and truly great entrepreneurs.
Later on, I expanded into wealth management, which is an entirely different discipline. Unlike venture investing, where you’re constantly seeking out innovation and new businesses, wealth management is primarily about preservation. Of course, you might allocate a small portion to growth opportunities, but the focus is on protecting capital—hedging against inflation, currency shifts, and the gradual decline of certain sectors—while growing wealth in a sustainable way that builds a legacy. It carries a very different risk profile, and as someone who had always been entrepreneurial and very ‘risk-on,’ it took time to adjust to that mindset.”
Redefining Financial Support for Founders
The UK Times: The Entrepreneurs Group is described as the world’s first capital platform tailored for founders. How does it differ from traditional financial institutions?
Michael Gale replied, “The Entrepreneurs Group has a unique approach that supports entrepreneurs across the globe. While venture capital and innovation have traditionally been concentrated in Silicon Valley, these models don’t always work well in other regions due to differing economic, cultural, and legal frameworks. This realization inspired the creation of The Entrepreneurs Group, which offers a more flexible and personalized approach to advisory services that is adapted to the specific needs of entrepreneurs worldwide.
The firm’s vision revolves around a commitment to values such as integrity, growth, and ethical business practices. The Entrepreneurs Group has brought together a diverse team of professionals who share these values and work together to create a platform where their offer is accessible, tailored, and supportive of entrepreneurial ambitions. The team brings a range of global experiences, contributing to a fresh perspective on how financial services should be delivered in today’s interconnected world.”
A Global Lens on Investment
The UK Times: You’ve spent time all across the world, from Silicon Valley to Abu Dhabi. How has your global experience shaped your investment philosophy?
Michael Gale replied, “Working across Silicon Valley, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and now Abu Dhabi has shown me that innovation is universal, but its drivers are deeply local. In the U.S., it’s often about first-mover advantage and scale at speed. In Asia, agility and partnerships dominate. Europe values resilience, governance, and long-term sustainability. The Middle East blends ambition with strategic nation-building. This global exposure thought me to evaluate investments not just on metrics, but on context aligning capital with market readiness, cultural fit, and the potential for cross-border scalability. In Abu Dhabi, I see a unique convergence of these lessons: capital strength, policy vision, and openness to global talent, which together create exceptional long-term opportunities.”
Balancing Risk and Preservation
Lastly we asked, “With your role spanning both capital management and start-up acceleration, how do you balance the needs of wealth preservation with high-growth venture investing?”
“As the financial landscape becomes increasingly complex, bankers and investors must be prepared to navigate it strategically. My advice to any family offices looking to maximize their investments is to focus on three key pillars: clarity, adaptability, and relationships. Clarity is essential for maintaining focus and decision-making. Investors should always have a clear vision of their goals and purpose. Adaptability is equally important, as the business world is constantly evolving, and the ability to pivot in response to market shifts can be the difference between success and failure. Finally, relationships are crucial in the financial sector, where trust plays a central role. I cannot stress enough the importance of building genuine, long-lasting relationships with clients, investors, partners, and your team members.
At The Entrepreneurs Group, we aim to evolve into the ultimate global partner for family offices and mid-size companies, enabling them to scale successfully and navigate the ever-changing entrepreneurial landscape, within the GCC and leveraging on Abu Dhabi, the Capital of the Capital. With our steadfast commitment to personalized advisory and a unique positioning in the heart of Abu Dhabi, We spent a lot of time talking about the entrepreneurial journey, then shift to scaling up family offices and mid-size companies and our group is well-ahead to shape the future of advisory services, driving impact across tomorrow’s investment landscape” Michael Gale concluded
Connect with Michael Gale & the Entrepreneurs Group on LinkedIn
Visit his Website: The Entrepreneurs Group & Michael Gale
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