Mike Lazerow

Mike Lazerow (BSJ96, MSJ96) was inducted into Medill’s Hall of Achievement in 2024.

Lazerow is an entrepreneur who co-founded Buddy Media, a software company that was acquired by Salesforce, where he served as chief strategy officer. He has invested in about 100 early-stage companies, including Facebook, Scopely and Liquid Death. 

Lazerow has received awards and honors, including the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Ernst & Young, Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40, Crain's New York 40 Under 40, #1 on the Silicon Alley 100, and the Ad Age Digital A-List. 

Currently Lazerow is a cofounder and general partner of Velvet Sea Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm that provides seed-to-growth stage capital investments and strategic support. 

As a philanthropist, he and his wife Kass established the Kass and Mike Lazerow Family Foundation and were recognized with the Game Changer Award by Cycle for Survival for their leadership in helping to raise more than $350 million for cancer research programs.

Lazerow is a long-time member of Medill’s Board of Advisers.