Welcome to Mike Weinberg’s Interactive Resume
I am a lifelong entrepreneur with an insatiable desire to think and live outside the proverbial box. I see myself squarely at the intersection of creative and business with a wide ranging skillset suitable for a diverse set of needs. I am a complex problem solver looking for my next puzzle to solve.
Learn more about me below and see how I can help achieve your goals.
NIGHTSCAPE
FOUNDER & CEO 2018-2023
IN 2020-2021, I RAISED $4.5MM TO START NIGHTSCAPE: A FULL-SCALE CREATIVE AGENCY PRODUCING IMMERSIVE CONTENT FOR OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART NASHVILLE-BASED VENUE AND CLIENTS NATIONWIDE.
In November 2018, right before getting promoted at CAA, I decided to leave the agency and pursue Nightscape full-time. The concept? A fully-immersive 360-degree projection mapped entertainment venue that would host open-to-the-public ticketed experiences and curated private events. The venue would also feature built-in spatial audio, complementary scents, modular furniture and other elements to create true immersion.
Over the next 14 months I tightened the concept, built the financial model/investment structure, and found the venue. Unfortunately, just weeks after signing a lease, COVID lockdowns began and I had to break the lease. Several months later, a new venue presented itself in late-2020 and I realized it was now or never - give up or go all in. I decided on the latter: between December 2020 and June 2021, I successfully raised $2mm and in the process came across the opportunity to not just host events, but also create the audio and visual content for our venue and for others across the country.
Over the following 9 months, we launched our creative arm, built the venue, assembled the team and prepared for the venue's opening. Once operational, there were plenty of highs: providing the visuals for The Chainsmokers at the 2022 NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium, selling 1,500 tickets to an immersive holiday pop-up at the JW Marriott, hosting a 12-hour 4 Artist event for Warner Music that included Cole Swindell and Zac Brown; and unfortunately the lows to match: the supply chain disaster of 2021 doubled our build-out cost and timeline, which in turn burned all runway and caused me to raise not one, but two emergency dilution rounds.
Just as we were really figuring out how to make money, we hit another cash crunch at the end of 2022. My lead investor and I decided that while the growth seemed promising, it was time to pull the plug as there wasn't a clear path forward financially. 2023, the year I turned 30, became the most difficult of my life - mentally, emotionally, physically - but also allowed me to realize I have already learned and experienced more than some people do in a lifetime. While I would be lying if I said I don't have scars, I also would do it all over again if I had the chance...and I'm confident I could do it a whole lot better next time.
OJAS PARTNERS
BROKER, ADVISOR, CONSULTANT | 2020-2021
WHILE NIGHTSCAPE WAS ON HOLD DURING COVID, I HELPED LAUNCH NASHVILLE’S PRE-EMINENT COMMERCIAL RETAIL LEASING COMPANY AND HAVE REMAINED INVOLVED SINCE.
While Nightscape was on hold due to COVID, I was approached to help launch a commercial real estate leasing and advisory company. I created the website, developed the signage and branding, helped create internal systems - and became a broker myself in the process. Once Nightscape came back, I took a backseat on day-to-day responsibilities, but continued work for a few clients through the end of 2021 - mainly a developer who was purchasing music venues across the country. After Nightscape closed up shop in 2023, I once again became more involved with Ojas, which had grown into a powerhouse with hundreds of closed deals and more than 15 employees. I also worked for a commercial real estate developer for a few months in 2023 to further develop my understanding of the real estate world - knowledge that I believe will continue to be advantageous down the line.
CREATIVE ARTISTS AGENCY
MUSIC DEPARTMENT 2015-2018
MY TIME AT CAA WAS INVALUABLE. THE KNOWLEDGE BASE AND NETWORK I DEVELOPED BECAME THE INDISPENSABLE FOUNDATION FOR MY FUTURE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS.
During my 3+ years at CAA, I worked primarily in the Pop and Electronic genres of the music touring department. I assisted in booking tours and concerts for acts such as The Chainsmokers, Demi Lovato, Charlie Puth, Zac Brown Band, Pretty Lights, GRiZ, Moon Taxi and more.
My primary role was assisting with all things necessary to sign clients and book tours/concerts: scheduling, creating contracts, talking to promoters and managers, researching venues, discovering new music, taking notes, networking, improving internal systems and more. Beyond the expected day-to-day responsibilities, I always tried to go above and beyond, frequently traveling to client shows and tours across the country to build my network, establish relationships and learn more about the markets we were serving.
My former boss, mentor, and eventual investor, Brian Manning (CAA Nashville Co-Head of Music), wrote this testimonial:
“During his tenure at CAA, Mike was an invaluable asset to our team. His work ethic is exceptional and his efficacy at accomplishing projects is second to none. Mike has an intuitive ability to identify not only opportunities but also to create a plan to capitalize on them. And perhaps most importantly, Mike’s optimism, positivity and warmth will be a welcome addition to any work environment.”
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
WHAT I DID DURING MY TIME IN ANN ARBOR WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT I STUDIED. IN 2013, I DEVELOPED A NEW INITIATIVE: HAIL & UNITE.
BA: MUSIC, MINOR: SPANISH | 2011-2015
Picture This: You're jumping up and down at the big football game chanting the words to your college's own custom created pump-up anthem featuring some of the biggest artists in the world, your alumni and marching band. Those artists play a massive concert in your stadium, shoot a music video on campus and star in a behind the scenes documentary for prospective students. This concept was Hail & Unite, and in just 14 months I put together an incredible coalition consisting of dozens of schools, student groups, and a mighty team of 20 students from across campus to fund and create the concept. Unfortunately a major misstep just days before receiving funding from the Athletic Dept caused the wrong story to be leaked to the national media, ultimately leading to the collapse of the project.
THE LIGHT JOCKEY
JULY 2007: I SAW DAFT PUNK LIVE IN CONCERT. JUNE 2008: I LAUNCHED MY FIRST BUSINESS.
LIGHTING, DJING, SOUND, EFFECTS | 2008-2015
After seeing Daft Punk live at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA, I was inspired to explore my love of lighting and experiences, launching The Light Jockey at 15 years old - a full-service DJ, lighting and sound company based in Los Angeles, CA. My parents fronted me $1,200 to start the business, which I paid back in less than 5 months. What started with 4 lights turned into 26 over the next 3 years of high school and more than $10,000 in revenue per year starting my junior year. Shows included Super Mash Bros and RL Grime at the famed Bergamot Station, Soulja Boy in downtown LA, and my 18th birthday with David Banner (above video).
ACTOR
MOTION PICTURES & TELEVISION | 1998-2007
WHILE MOST PEOPLE BEGIN THEIR CAREERS AS YOUNG ADULTS, I BEGAN MINE AT 5-YEARS-OLD.
Un-mute or control the video
Following in my brother's footsteps, I jumped into the world of motion pictures and television at the ripe age of 5-years old. My film credits include 15 TV shows, 4 movies, 6 commercials and 4 voiceovers during my 9-year career, including guest star roles in Scrubs, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, ER, and starring as Kevin McCallister in the fourth installment of the Home Alone franchise. From the people I met to the knowledge I gained to the incredible places I travelled (all before the age of 14), I am forever grateful for the positive (and negative) impacts it had on my life.
WHAT AM I DOING NOW?
After getting over the major hurdles in closing down Nightscape, several people in my network reached out to see if I could consult for their startups and small businesses. That led me to start my own consulting business, which you can learn more about at midgamepartners.com. I also recently (January 2024) relocated to New York City as I was ready for a new adventure, but still travel to Nashville frequently for business and personal reasons.
WHAT DO I WANT NEXT?
I’m open to working with a startup, VC, beloved brand, serial-entrepreneur, or anything/anyone else that allows me to be creative and tap into my business/analytical abilities. As you can see from the site, my interests and skills are wide ranging, but I’d prefer to stay in the worlds of entertainment, tech, consumer products, music, sports, or health/wellness. I’m pursuing a full-time position but am open to fractional/consulting based work under my Midgame umbrella as well.
CONTACT
If you’re interested in getting in touch with me, please reach out at weinbergmike@icloud.com. I am open to discussing any and all opportunities!