Conversations with Entrepreneurs -Maple Founder and CEO, Michael Perry

When & Where

March17, 2026 at 12:30pm - 1:45pm - in the Innovation HUB, Humanities Building 125 on the San Francisco State University Campus (9 Tapia Drive, San Francisco, CA).

What

Come join the candid chat with founders from all industries and background. In this installment, we welcome Michael Perry - a serial entrepreneur with an exit where Shopify (NASDQ: SHOP) acquired his startup Kit, an AI-powered marketing assistant for small businesses. Michael's latest adventure is as founder and CEO of Maple, a online platform that asier.

About theGuest Speaker

is the Founder & CEO of Maple, a fast-growing family tech startup on a mission to make all parents’ lives easier. A proud alumnus of the Lam Family College of Business at San Francisco State University, Michael credits his time at SFSU with helping shape the entrepreneurial foundation that has guided his career.

Inspired by his own journey into fatherhood, he launched Maple in 2020 to simplify parenting through smart, intuitive technology. Today, Maple has been recognized as one of the top parenting apps by Apple, has been covered by dozens of major media publications like the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, and is used by families every single month in over 100 countries. The platform partners with 70+ brands across the U.S. and Canada.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Michael started his first company at age 10 and has been building ever since. Prior to Maple, he founded Kit, an AI-powered marketing assistant for small businesses, which was acquired by Shopify in 2016. He later served as Senior Director of Product at Shopify, leading strategic partnerships before returning to startup life to build Maple.

Recognized by Forbes and Inc. for his contributions to marketing and technology, Michael blends innovation with heart. His family’s IVF journey and his deep commitment to fatherhood continue to shape his leadership philosophy — one grounded in the belief that while building companies matters, being a present parent matters most.

Hosted by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative in the Lam Family College of Business.

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