Michael Cortez

Michael Cortez is a Partner at Forgepoint Capital International. Based in London, Michael focuses on new investments in transformative cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure software companies across Europe, Israel, and Latin America.

Michael brings extensive expertise leading new investments and propelling early-stage cybersecurity startups to market leadership. Prior to Forgepoint, Michael spent five years at YL Ventures as a Partner on the firm’s Investment Team. In that role, Michael led new investments, oversaw U.S. team operations, managed the CISO advisory board, and helped portfolio companies with customer introductions and pipeline support, financial analysis, executive recruiting, and fundraising strategy. Michael served as board member and observer for several startups, including Eureka (acq. by Tenable), build.security (acq. by Elastic), Medigate (acq. by Claroty), Karamba, Vulcan, Cycode, Valence, Grip, AIM, Gutsy, and Miggo.

Prior to YL Ventures, Michael worked in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division with public and private clients across a broad range of transactions including M&A, IPOs, and equity and debt financing. Michael was previously an early employee of Home Junction, Inc. (acquired by ATTOM Data Solutions), where he gained firsthand experience with the intricacies and challenges of building an early-stage startup. 

Michael holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fordham University.  

Outside of the office, Michael loves fishing, learning new songs on the guitar, and cooking for his family and friends.