Michael Becker is an international strategic advisor, author, and educator specializing in self-sovereign identity (SSI) and personal knowledge management. As the CEO and founder of Identity Praxis, Inc., he helps organizations develop and execute integrated business, product, and marketing strategies. He is also the founder of the 5Cs of Knowledge Management School and an adjunct professor at various U.S. universities. With a career spanning Fortune 500 companies, startups, and global conferences, Michael has made significant contributions to mobile marketing, digital identity, and education. He holds a Doctorate of Business Administration from Golden Gate University.
Could you describe your initiative/startup’s purpose and vision and how it benefits its target audience?
I am the CEO and founder of Identity Praxis, Inc., a strategic advisory and consulting firm specializing in self-sovereign identity (SSI) principled identity & data management, marketing, and personal knowledge management. Through our educational marketing approach, we help organizations and individuals succeed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape by working with them to develop and execute integrated business, product, marketing & communications, regulatory compliance, and technology stack strategies—thus ensuring readiness for current and future trends. Our approach helps organizations learn, become more self-reliant, future-proofed, and trusted while also boosting revenues, reducing costs, and mitigating risks.
As far as entrepreneurship is concerned, your journey is quite inspiring. What are some of your most significant accomplishments, and how did you achieve them?
I am fortunate to have worked with amazing people and organizations, gaining a wealth of experience that allows me to add value to those I serve. I have traveled to over 65 countries, contributed to numerous business strategies, product development initiatives, and marketing campaigns, and delivered thousands of talks—keynotes, panels, workshops, and more. Some of my most notable accomplishments include:
- 1989: Studied in Japan for a year and traveled across Siberia and Europe.
- 1997: Developed one of the first online social media networks, the Rocket eBook Library.
- 2000: Contributed to the world’s first presence-aware all-media messaging platform for mobile operators, securing a patent for a multiple messaging session management UI.
- 2004: Founded one of the first commercial multi-channel SaaS mobile marketing platforms in the U.S.
- 2005: Became the first paying member of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and served on its board for nearly ten years.
- 2005-2010: Founded, published, and edited The International Journal of Mobile Marketing.
- 2005-2015: Received several industry awards and recognitions, including the MMA Innovation of the Year Award (2007) and the Frost & Sullivan Award (2007).
- 2013-present: Co-authored Mobile Marketing Essentials, a textbook currently in its 12th edition.
- 2019-2024: Helped develop and launch Pocket Geek Privacy, a mobile-grade personal information management system.
- 2024: Founded the 5Cs of Knowledge Management School and completed my Doctorate in Business Administration.
How have I accomplished all this? I focus on being of service. I start each day with a beginner’s mind, embrace incremental formalization, and put myself out there. I live by the adage: those who want to make a difference both do and teach. I am a perpetual student, seek out community, exercise, and (try to) eat healthily. Above all, I strive to be a better person every day.
Being an entrepreneur, what kind of response have you received from your users/consumers?
I have had a fantastic response to my work. People have repeatedly told me that I’ve made a difference. However, I have also been told that I can be “too detailed” and that my vision is sometimes too far ahead of its time. I am actively working on improving my ability to summarize my work and bridge my futuristic visions with present-day applications.
In what ways has your life changed since you began your entrepreneurial journey?
I started my entrepreneurial journey when I was six—selling polished rocks door-to-door. By the age of eight, I had my first business card: Michael J. Becker – Entrepreneur. Since then, my journey has been filled with exceptional highs and lows. Each day has provided me with opportunities to learn and improve. Over the years, I have developed the ability to retain joy and happiness despite external and internal challenges.
Do you think ‘GENDER’ affects entrepreneurship? Your views.
Yes, I do think gender affects entrepreneurship. However, a person’s birth gender or how they choose to identify has little to no bearing on their potential to be a successful entrepreneur. Instead, societal biases—implicit, explicit, and procedural—significantly impact entrepreneurship and one’s success. The way an entrepreneur navigates these biases within their personal context plays a major role in their journey.
