Michelle Ritter: Visionary Entrepreneur Reshaping Technology, Sports, and Finance
Michelle Ritter is one of the most dynamic names in the intersection of technology, finance, and sports innovation. Known widely as the CEO of StarX, the founder of Steel Perlot, and the co-founder and former CEO of Knox Networks, her career demonstrates the unique blend of academic brilliance, entrepreneurial courage, and forward-thinking vision. Her journey from rigorous academic training at Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University to leading multi-million-dollar ventures represents a story of ambition and influence in industries that are redefining the future.
In recent years, Ritter’s profile has also gained additional media attention due to her professional and reported personal association with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. While her relationship with Schmidt has often made headlines, Ritter’s own record as a builder of impactful ventures stands firmly on its own.
This article explores her background, her leadership roles, her innovative companies, and her influence on global technology and finance landscapes.
Early Life and Education
Michelle Ritter’s professional strength is deeply rooted in her strong educational background. She graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a triple major in Economics, International Studies, and Political Science, reflecting a multidisciplinary mindset that later became central to her work in startups and global markets.
She continued her studies at Columbia University, completing a JD from Columbia Law School and an MBA from Columbia Business School in May 2021. This rare combination of law and business training provided her with a strategic foundation for navigating both corporate negotiations and venture building.
During her academic years, she also pursued cyber wargaming research at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, where she gained experience in national security and cybersecurity policy—fields that deeply influenced her later ventures in digital infrastructure and fintech.
Career Overview
CEO of StarX
In May 2020, Ritter launched StarX, a revolutionary platform creating an alternative asset class in sports teams and talent. By applying innovations from public markets into the world of sports and entertainment, StarX offered fans and investors new opportunities for engagement.
StarX developed partnerships with major organizations such as FIFA, Fanatics, and Ticketmaster, aiming to merge global fan engagement with sophisticated financial models. The company positioned itself at the cutting edge of sports finance, introducing structures that generate new revenue streams for athletes and organizations while deepening the relationship between fans and the sports industry.
For Ritter, StarX embodies her philosophy of bridging traditional markets with emerging industries, using technology to expand both accessibility and profitability.
Michelle Ritter and Knox Networks
In December 2020, Ritter co-founded Knox Networks, initially a digital payments platform. The initiative received early support from figures such as Eric Schmidt and Martin Chavez, reflecting the high-level trust and recognition Ritter had earned in financial technology circles.
Knox Networks began as a commercialized digital dollar initiative and later evolved under a research-driven team, focusing on secure and scalable payments infrastructure. Ritter served as CEO and Board Director until April 2024, guiding the company through its foundational years before handing over leadership.
Her work with Knox demonstrated her ability to attract influential partners, envision disruptive financial models, and build teams around cutting-edge ideas.
Founder and CEO of Steel Perlot
In 2021, Michelle Ritter founded Steel Perlot, a hybrid venture studio and investment firm structured around three divisions:
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Steel Perlot Investments – An investment arm producing strong returns in early-stage funds focused on AI, blockchain, and disruptive finance. It also built a fund of funds, including First Spark Ventures and Kyber Capital.
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Steel Perlot Quant Asset Management – A unit applying sophisticated quantitative strategies to asset management.
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Steel Perlot Management – An incubation division supporting startups like Tristero, Keeta, and Knox Networks.
Steel Perlot also made strides in philanthropic initiatives, such as Future House, which focused on biology, quantum technologies, and applied AI. Ritter’s approach emphasized building long-term platforms capable of reshaping industries rather than chasing short-term hype.
Despite early successes, Steel Perlot later attracted press attention regarding internal management challenges and its association with Eric Schmidt, who was reported to have invested significantly in the venture. Regardless of those narratives, Ritter remains recognized for assembling a high-impact, innovation-oriented portfolio.
Michelle Ritter and Eric Schmidt
Much of the mainstream media spotlight around Michelle Ritter has centered on her connection to Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google. Reports stated that Schmidt invested heavily—up to $100 million—into Steel Perlot, where he also held the title of Executive Chairman.
While some publications emphasized the personal nature of their relationship, the partnership also underscored Schmidt’s confidence in Ritter’s entrepreneurial vision. The combination of Schmidt’s experience in scaling global technology companies and Ritter’s disruptive business models positioned Steel Perlot as a significant player in the investment landscape.
Michelle Ritter and Alexandr Wang
Occasional online discussions have attempted to link Michelle Ritter with Alexandr Wang, the founder of Scale AI. However, credible mainstream sources do not indicate any professional or personal partnership between the two. Ritter’s established ventures—StarX, Knox Networks, and Steel Perlot—stand as her primary areas of influence.
Roles in Academia and Policy
Beyond entrepreneurship, Ritter is also engaged in academia and public policy. She is a member of the Executive Advisory Board at Columbia University’s Richard Paul Richman Center for Business, Law, and Public Policy, where she contributes insights at the intersection of law, finance, and technology.
This position reflects her commitment to bridging academic thought leadership with real-world entrepreneurial execution, inspiring the next generation of business and policy leaders.
Michelle Ritter Age and Personal Background
As of 2025, Michelle Ritter is approximately 30 to 31 years old, based on public reporting that placed her age at 29 in 2023. Born around 1994/95, she represents a new generation of leaders reshaping finance and technology.
Public details about her parents or siblings remain undisclosed, as Ritter has maintained privacy regarding her family background. Her public identity is firmly tied to her ventures and professional achievements rather than her personal life.
Leadership Style and Vision
Michelle Ritter’s leadership reflects a consistent pattern:
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Cross-disciplinary integration – From law and economics to cyber research and venture capital, she thrives in blending domains.
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Focus on scalability – Her companies emphasize platform-based models, whether in sports, payments, or AI-driven investments.
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Global perspective – Ritter’s ventures often position themselves within international markets, leveraging partnerships with global organizations.
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Innovation with accountability – Even as her ventures push boundaries, she emphasizes measurable returns and structured growth.
Her vision aligns with the future of venture building, where innovation is paired with institutional credibility and cross-sector collaboration.
Conclusion
Michelle Ritter is far more than a headline connected to Eric Schmidt. She is a visionary entrepreneur whose ventures—StarX, Knox Networks, and Steel Perlot—reflect a commitment to reshaping industries through technology, finance, and creative models of engagement. With an academic foundation at Johns Hopkins and Columbia, and advisory work at the Richard Paul Richman Center, Ritter bridges theory with practice at the highest levels.
At only about 31 years old, she has already led multiple influential companies, built relationships with global organizations, and driven forward-thinking ventures. Her career demonstrates how a new generation of entrepreneurs is reimagining value creation, not just in Silicon Valley but across sports, finance, and beyond.
