Michael Scharff
About Michael Scharff
Michael Scharff is the founder of Evolv AI, an experience optimization software company. He was its Chief Executive Officer from inception through fall 2023. He now serves as a Board Observer and Advisor. Crunchbase lists his Evolv AI role as Founder and CEO from March 2019 to December 2023. Evolv announced a $10 million Series A led by Horizons Ventures on March 21, 2019. In the same release it said it had acquired Sentient Ascend, a spin-off from Sentient Technologies, and had appointed Scharff as CEO.
Before Evolv, Scharff worked at Sentient Technologies. His Crunchbase bio says he was CEO there and led the corporate restructuring that produced the Evolv AI spin-out. Crunchbase's job history lists him as Chief Operating Officer and Board Advisor from August 2018 to February 2019.
His earlier career was in retail and digital commerce, spanning more than two decades. He held leadership roles at Best Buy, Staples, Toys R Us and Sears Canada. At Toys R Us he was Vice President of Merchandising and Website Experience, then SVP and General Manager of Global eCommerce, then SVP of New Ventures. At Sears Canada he was EVP and Chief Digital Officer from late 2014 to mid 2015. His teams covered merchandising, digital marketing, strategy and innovation, and he built omni-channel and global e-commerce businesses.
From 2013 he ran Scharff Advisors, Inc., a consultancy for retail, consumer and technology companies. Crunchbase now lists that firm as closed. His LinkedIn lists board and advisory roles that include a former board seat at Pley, Inc. and former board service at Polk Audio. It also lists current strategic advisory roles with Feed Media and RetailNext, and a seat on the Forbes Technology Council.
Crunchbase counts 4 investments and 3 portfolio companies for Scharff. It records no lead investments and one exit, which was not an IPO. Crunchbase does not make the company or the dates for that exit visible in the public view. His Crunchbase bio says he is an advisor and investor for many retail-related technology startups.
The public record for his angel deals is thin. Investment dates, round sizes and ownership stakes are not published. Founders should treat him as a small-volume individual investor whose activity mostly comes through operating and advisory relationships, not through a fund.
His best-documented AI investment is Evolv AI, the company he founded. Crunchbase shows a personal investment in its Series A. Evolv describes its product as an AI platform that discovers, personalizes and serves better digital journeys by adapting to live visitor behavior. It is aimed at digital leaders and content teams.
He has also worked with other AI-adjacent companies as an advisor. Past advisory clients listed on his profile page include Sentient Technologies and Rubikloud. These were advisory relationships, and no public source says he invested in them.
The public record points to retail, e-commerce and enterprise software. AngelMatch tags him with E-commerce, Enterprise Software and Video Streaming. His own bio describes the startups he backs as retail-related technology companies. His advisory work has focused on digital and omni-channel commerce, business development, strategic planning and digital marketing.
He lives in Berkeley, California, and his advisory and board work has centered on the San Francisco Bay Area. No public source states his preferred stage, check size or reserve policy. He has not published a statement on what he looks for in a pitch. AngelMatch says it is not publicly confirmed whether he is currently seeking new investments.
His writing for Authority Magazine and Retail Customer Experience offers some insight into his views. His advice there for first-time CEOs includes matching hires to the specific skills a startup needs at its current stage. That is a statement about operating, not a stated investment criterion.
- Evolv AI: AI-driven experience optimization software for websites and apps. He founded it and was CEO until 2023. Crunchbase shows a personal investment in its Series A, which was announced in March 2019 with a $10 million round led by Horizons Ventures.
- Loop Commerce: listed by AngelMatch as a past investment. Loop Commerce is now described there as a Synchrony solution. Investment date not public.
- Younity: listed by AngelMatch as a past investment. Investment date not public.
- crunchbase.com/person/michael-scharff
- crunchbase.com/organization/evolv-technology-solutions
- crunchbase.com/organization/scharff-advisors-inc-
- prnewswire.com/news-releases/evolv-technologies-raises-10mm-series-a-t
- venturebeat.com/ai/evolv-technologies-raises-to-automate-web-a-b-testi
- linkedin.com/in/michaelscharff
- x.com/mlscharff
- angelmatch.io/investors/michael-scharff
Investing activity
Michael Scharff has made 4 investments according to Crunchbase across 3 portfolio companies, and has seen 1 exit and founded 2 companies.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Michael Scharff
Who is Michael Scharff?
Michael Scharff is the founder of Evolv AI and was its CEO until the end of 2023. He is a former retail and e-commerce executive at Best Buy, Staples, Toys R Us and Sears Canada. He lives in Berkeley, California.
Does Michael Scharff invest in AI startups?
Yes, in at least one case. Crunchbase shows a personal investment in the Series A of Evolv AI, which he founded. He also describes himself as an investor and advisor for retail-related technology startups.
What is Michael Scharff's check size?
His check size is not public. No source we found states a typical amount, so founders should ask him directly.
What stage does Michael Scharff invest in?
No public source states a preferred stage. Crunchbase lists 4 investments, and the one with a named round is a Series A. Most of his other positions have no public round information.
What sectors does Michael Scharff back?
His public profiles point to retail, e-commerce and enterprise software, with an emphasis on AI for digital experience and commerce. Founders in those areas will find the closest match to his operating background.
How can founders contact Michael Scharff?
He is on LinkedIn and X (@mlscharff). A relevant retail or e-commerce angle, or a warm introduction from someone in his network, is a sensible way to start.
Is Michael Scharff an angel investor?
Yes. Michael Scharff invests personally as an angel. Crunchbase counts 4 investments and 1 exit.
Where is Michael Scharff based?
Michael Scharff is based in Berkeley, California, United States.
How can founders reach Michael Scharff?
Founders on Lounge can see Michael Scharff's contact details in AI Investor Contacts (paid plans), check for a warm introduction through members who worked with them under Warm Paths, and add Michael Scharff to their Investor Pipeline to track the conversation.