# Michael Whife

> Michael Whife is CEO and co-founder of Demand AI. He previously co-founded and led Selling Simplified, acquired by IDG Communications in February 2022, and became Foundry’s chief data officer. His public work centres on data, buyer intent and building local teams in international markets.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-Founder at Demand AI
- **Organizations:** Demand AI, Selling Simplified, Foundry / IDG Communications, NetLine, All About Sales, Target 250
- **Education:** Laindon High Road
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led Selling Simplified through its acquisition by IDG Communications in 2022., Selling Simplified had 285 employees across four continents at acquisition., Selling Simplified appeared on the Inc. 5000 each year from 2016 through 2021.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2012** — Helped build Target 250’s United States operation.
- **2010** — CEO of All About Sales at its acquisition by NetLine; named NetLine vice president of sales.
- **2012** — Co-founded Selling Simplified with Jag Sidhu.
- **2016** — Wrote about Selling Simplified’s Singapore hub and the importance of cultural knowledge.
- **2019** — Led Selling Simplified as it announced Hong Kong and Korea operations.
- **2021** — Selling Simplified announced a Tokyo office.
- **2022** — IDG Communications acquired Selling Simplified on February 8; Whife subsequently became Foundry’s chief data officer.
- **2025** — CEO and co-founder of Demand AI; company announced international expansion and a $2.5 million investment round.
- **2026** — Demand AI appointed John P O’Malley as chairman; Whife published on conversational AI and buyer research.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led Selling Simplified through its acquisition by IDG Communications in 2022.
- Selling Simplified had 285 employees across four continents at acquisition.
- Selling Simplified appeared on the Inc. 5000 each year from 2016 through 2021.
- Co-founded Demand AI, which announced a $2.5 million investment round in September 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Demand AI appointed John P O’Malley as non-executive chairman on September 8.
- **2026-09** — Published “From Being Found to Being Asked: The New Rules of B2B Demand” on September 9.

## Links

- Website: https://www.demandai.net/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwhife

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-whife
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20