Michael Wicks
Michael Wicks serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor and Capstone Director for the ESTEEM Graduate Program at the University of Notre Dame. A Notre Dame alumnus, former bootstrapped founder, and previous manager of the 1842 Venture Studio, Wicks brings extensive experience in venture design, university research commercialization, and startup portfolio support back into the classroom.
Here, he shares insights into his professional journey, his passion for student advising, and his advice for future ESTEEM cohorts.
What brought you to Notre Dame and to ESTEEM specifically?
I came to Notre Dame for undergrad and stayed for a grad program, where I caught the startup bug during a time when Notre Dame’s entrepreneurial ecosystem was first forming. After bootstrapping my own startup, I joined Notre Dame’s Pit Road Fund, helping translate campus research into impact across 40 investments. Later, I managed the 1842 Venture Studio, deploying capital into university research-backed bets in healthcare and workforce development. I eventually boomeranged back to Notre Dame to teach and run the Capstone program because I deeply respect ESTEEM and want to share those real-world venture lessons with students.
What do you enjoy most about advising students?
It's magical. I love the long game of watching a student’s progress compound over time and being a small part of their story. I also thrive under pressure like during 30-minute hackathon sessions or short capstone advising syncs where we have to quickly move the ball forward. Seeing students take a small recommendation and run with it in ways I couldn't have imagined is the most rewarding part.
What is your main advice for incoming students for next year?
ESTEEM allows you to rapidly learn an incredibly valuable skill set and deploy it in industry within a single year, which is remarkably rare. However, it only works if you are ready to lock in, commit, and work with intense focus. My advice, and cautionary tale, is to be prepared for that level of intensity and commitment.
What is a highlight or something you are most looking forward to this year within ESTEEM?
I am most looking forward to the spring Capstone sponsor presentations. I want to see students unveil provocative recommendations that disrupt existing business models. Innovation should feel a little shocking and uncomfortable, and I want our corporate sponsors to walk away feeling like they just saw the future, and realizing these students are the talent they need to build a lasting business.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family. I have three young children (all age five and under) and watching them grow is my absolute favorite show on Earth.
What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you?
I am deeply and almost unhealthily into fast cars. I’ve always loved them.
What do you hope a student you’ve advised remembers 10 years from now about their experience?
I hope they remember me as "hard but fair" and someone who cared deeply. More than that, I hope they remember the intensity of our capstone work and realize it gave them real-world confidence to navigate high-stakes innovation in their careers.