Tulsas Emerging 100 Fireside Chat with Michael Basch

15 North Cheyenne Avenue,Tulsa OK 74103

20 May, 2021

Description

Come out and meet fellow Tulsas Emerging 100 while we chat with Michael Basch, Managing Partner at Atento Capital Join our Fireside Chat for Tulsas Emerging 100 with Michael Basch, Managing Partner of Atento Capital. We'll also share more about upcoming programming for the second half of 2021. About Michael Basch Originally from California, I was born in San Francisco, and raised in Los Angeles. From 2010 to 2018, I lived primarily in New York with 2 years in London and a splash of Tel Aviv before moving to Tulsa at the beginning of 2018. Michael currently works with GKFF in Tulsa, looking at ways to help expand Tulsa's footprint of 21st century jobs through his relationships in the NY, SF, LA tech communities. Some highlights include: 1. Coffee Bean--Starting as a Barista, Michael grew within the organization to overseeing 22 stores and 400 employees within 7 years. 2. BAMKO--Joining as the fifth partner with four of his best friends from college, he played a significant role in the growth to over 160 employees across 6 countries; which was eventually sold to Superior Uniform Group. 3. Spotad--joined as an investor and came on board a few months later as President to oversee the expansion of the company across four countries, and growing to 40+ employees in under two years. 4. Hillary For America--he left the private sector to work on Hillary Clinton's campaign, first as a volunteer and then organizing (and delivering) Madison Wisconsin with a 78% turnout, 71% of which was Democratic (the largest margin ever). 5. NYC Mayoral bid--Coming off the Clinton campaign, he spent 4 months exploring a bid for Mayor of New York, running on a technology, social justice, and affordability platform, addressing key issues like the 21st century post-automation work force, closing down Rikers Island, and New York's growing affordability problem. In his current role, some of the questions they're looking to address were: “Can you be intentional about how you deploy capital that not only drives return but has a local economic impact as well?” “What are the right economic incentives needed to attract and retain talent in Tulsa?” “Can you make large-scale social change through economic opportunity?” While many of these questions have yet to be answered, the initial work was compelling enough that it led to the birth of Atento Capital. Now, with a committed team behind our work, we are looking to shift our efforts into turbo drive and really catalyze growth for 21st century jobs in Tulsa. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to be on a team undertaking this challenge. Michael's passions outside of work include running (5 marathons so far), volunteering, traveling, seeing friends, introducing strangers, and spending as much time as possible with his amazing wife, Romi and their son, Leo. About Atento Capital Atento Capital is a Tulsa-based investment firm focused on returns, quality job creation, and being helpful. Our name, Atento, comes from the Spanish word meaning helpful, attentive, thoughtful, courteous, polite. These are the adjectives we aspire to be and the foundation of how we do business. Our focus: generating excellent risk-adjusted returns and making a lasting economic impact through the stimulation of entrepreneurial activity in our community. Atento: - Invests its time and capital in early stage direct investment and fund investment - Works on projects and partnerships for economic development - Helps entrepreneurs with funding and mentorship - Develops business leadership networks through Tulsa partnerships with national firms - Gives back to the community through establishing strategic partnerships for entrepreneurship and economic development. Learn more about Atento: www.atentocapital.com About Tulsas Emerging 100 Tulsas Emerging 100 is made possible in partnership with Skysthelimit.org, TEDC Creative Capital and Atento Capital. Through our local flavor, Tulsas Emerging 100, we will be working with 100 entrepreneurs in 2021 to help develop your business idea to launch or grow your business. If you’ve got the heart and entrepreneurial spirit, we’ll back you up with business mentorship, small business resources and funding opportunities. Visit the website: www.skysthelimit.org/tulsas-100