C3+ Fireside Chat w/ Michael Smith

​Michael has founded/operated media and real estate businesses, been a global touring DJ, an environmental organizer and investor into over 30 companies.

​Michael ran marketing/digital for Smith Broadcasting, a group of 20 network TV stations, eventually selling to Boston Ventures. Shortly thereafter, he followed his passion for music to become a DJ that performed with Guns N Roses, Rihanna and Diplo. In 2006, he launched The Playlist Generation, one of the world's largest background music providers. In 2010, he co-founded Creative Space, a real estate firm responsible for 80 projects in LA & SF.

​In 2015, he successfully exited both companies and formed Ponvalley, an environmental initiative comprised of philanthropy, research and impact investments. He convened Shared Mission, an emergency climate summit with Former VP Al Gore, General Wesley Clark, the Department of Energy and Harvard. He currently serves on the board of Pvblic Foundation, American Renewable Energy Institute, Sustainable Change Alliance. He is a founding advisor to Salk Institute's Harnessing Plants Initiative and was a Venture Fellow at UC Santa Barbara's Bren School. Michael is a graduate of Northwestern University. He resides in Santa Barbara with his wife and two children.