Mike Steep

Michael James Trèves Steep (born September 11, 1953) is an American Silicon Valley executive, global speaker, and early-stage technology expert. From June of 1980 to January 2017, he served as an executive at HP, Software Publishing, Apple, Microsoft, and Xerox PARC. In each role, he participated in, and lead major technology initiatives - including the launch of the first software for the IBM Personal Computer (IBM Assistant Series), the launch of the first portable software for the Data General One portable computer, the launch of the first consumer digital camera at Apple (QuickTake), introduction of Cloud Computing at Microsoft, and the founding of the Disruptive Technology Program at Stanford focused on the advent of large language models in AI and other emerging technologies. In 2021, he wrote and published First Light of Day a work of fiction that forecasted the impact of current disruptive technologies on the future of society. 
Early life and education
Steep spent his early years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania near where he grew up in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. He earned a BA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976, an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia in 1980, and numerous academic appointments including Adjunct Professor at both Imperial College in London and Stanford Engineering School. He graduated with honors from Penn and received an academic scholarship from the Darden School.
Silicon Valley technology career
After graduating from Penn, Steep began his career with Hewlett Packard in the early 1980s in the HP3000 minicomputer group. He was recruited to Software Publishing Corporation where he was responsible for OEM partnerships for the company. He participated in the launch of the IBM PC’s PFS Assistant Family series. He was recruited to Apple Computer where his team launched the first QuickTake digital camera, and the iconic LaserWriter. Throughout his career, Steep lead major technology transitions while developing strong executive operational skills. At Lexmark, a imaging spinoff of IBM, he started the company’s business in Japan and Korea and was part of the executive leadership team that took the company public. Later in his career, he joined Microsoft focused on innovation and then on to Xerox PARC as Senior Vice President where he led the commercial business for that company.
In 2017, he founded and ran an innovation program at Stanford Engineering School focused on disruptive technology and early-stage AI platforms. He was also appointed Adjunct Professor and taught a course focused on innovation for graduate engineers. In the six years at Stanford, Steep complemented his extensive operational experience with expertise in understanding early-stage technology. This fueled content for his work as a global technology speaker and for his understanding of how exponential technology growth outpaces human management of high tech. 
Global technology speaker 
From 2017 until the present, Steep partnered with the Leading Authorities speaking agency – delivering nearly 70 keynotes to corporations crossing multiple industries and associations. The topic “Transforming Disruptive Innovation into Opportunity” – looking at how companies can understand early-stage technology and incorporate it into the business model strategy.
Transforming Disruptive Technology Into Opportunity:
Supply Chain and the Role of Composites and Advanced Materials
Author
First Light of Day
In 2020, Steep published his first novel First Light of Day – which projected the future impact of today’s early stage technology 50 years into the future – including AI and intelligent agents. The book was introduced by General Stanley McChrystal, Partner, McChrystal Group; Tom Wheeler, Author: From Gutenberg to Google: The History of Our Future; former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission and Michael Morell, former Deputy Director of the CIA. In 2022, Steep begun work on two new books including a follow-on to First Light of Day, and a new business book entitles Reinventing Innovation – based upon the course on innovation he taught at Stanford Engineering School. Both books are scheduled for publication in 2024. First Light of Day: ISBN ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-7339591-0-0 ISBN (e-book): 978-1-7339591-1-7 2019, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/01/30/1977293/0/en/First-Light-of-Day-A-Cautionary-Tale-of-Our-Future.html
Steep has written numerous academic articles focused on the impact of early stage technology.
Smart Cities Improve The Health Of Their Citizens
How to Become a Successful Young Leader at Work
Career Tip For Millennials: Be Clear, Concise And Compelling
Public References to the work of Michael Steep
Tap into Tech’s Enormous Potential for CRE; Market Share, the official blog for commercial real estate, published by NAIOP
MIT Technology Review, The Purpose of Silicon Valley, Capital and engineering talent have been flocking to seemingly trivial mobile apps. But would we really be better off if more startups instead went directly after big problems?
Podcasts featuring Steep
The Necessity and Danger of Innovation: Guest - Mike Steep
Why Disruptive Tech Needs Skilled Networkers & Psych Majors With Mike Steep, Stanford University
How to Break Into Disruptive Technology With Mike Steep, Stanford Digital Cities Program [Espresso Shots]
Stanford Bio for Michael Steep
https://web.stanford.edu/group/sacl/workshop/IWSHM2019/Documents/Keynote/Steep_Bio.pdf·
Category:1953 births
Category:Author
Category:American people
Category:Investors