Founded By:

Sponsored By:

Michael Furdyk

Michael Furdyk is the Co-founder and Director of Technology for TakingITGlobal.org, a global online community for young people, engaging hundreds of thousands of youth in over 200 countries and territories.  In the past, he has turned his interest in technology into a series of successful online companies, co-founding MyDesktop.com in 1997 (later sold to Internet.com in 1999) and BuyBuddy.com in 1999 (which closed a $4.5-million round of funding in late 2000).  Over the last few years, Michael has consulted for many Fortune 500 companies, including a 6-month engagement with Microsoft in Seattle, Washington.

As one of Teen People's "20 Teens That Will Change The World", Michael has shared his opinions about Youth Engagement and experiences as a member of the Net Generation by speaking at dozens of events, including the US Government's National Youth Summit, two of Microsoft's Anytime, Anywhere Learning Summits, The Business Council, and TED.  He has made numerous media appearances including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Time Magazine, Fast Company, BusinessWeek, CNN, MSNBC, and USA Today.  He is an advisor to Microsoft, Pollution Probe, Future Possibilities, and several other national and global organizations.