Quarterly Knowledge Base

Mike Merrill

3 min read

Mike Merrill

Founder & CEO, KmikeyM The World’s First Publicly Traded Person

About

K. Mike Merrill is the world’s first publicly traded person and founder of KmikeyM. Since 2008, he has operated an unprecedented social experiment that allows shareholders to purchase shares in his life and vote on his personal decisions. What began as a performance piece examining finance has evolved into an ongoing exploration of collective governance structures, personal transparency mechanisms, and experimental economics.

Based in Los Angeles, CA (since 2017), Mike is a veteran of the US Army and describes himself as a “Publicly Traded Person, Former Founder, Veteran, Hamburger Thought Leader.”

Professional Background

Mike’s career spans technology, creative industries, and entrepreneurship:

  • Panic - Ten years at the software company, which he describes as an apprenticeship rather than formal education
  • Chroma - Co-founder of this protocol software studio (later acquired)
  • Sandwich - Worked at the ad agency handling both established brands and startups
  • Accelerator Programs - Participated in Barclay’s Fintech Accelerator and Nike+ Accelerator
  • US Army - Military service as a veteran

His diverse experience includes game design, VR scenario writing, podcast hosting and production, and web-reality shows. Mike completed a fabrication course at an art school but has no college degree, valuing reading and hands-on learning instead.

Current Focus

Mike currently leads KmikeyM and its portfolio of technology ventures, including Quarterly Systems. He is also the executive producer of Blippo+.

His ongoing work with the KmikeyM platform continues to challenge conventional notions of personal autonomy and collective decision-making, demonstrating how “giving up control to others” paradoxically demonstrates personal agency.

Projects & Ventures

KmikeyM (2008 - Present)

The world’s first personal stock exchange where individuals can buy and trade shares representing ownership stakes in Mike. Shareholders can vote on major life decisions and participate in collective governance. The platform includes:

  • Personal stock trading at kmikeym.com
  • Shareholder voting mechanisms
  • Community engagement through Discord
  • Regular updates via Substack newsletter (3,000+ subscribers)

Quarterly Systems

Technology platform and suite of business applications under the KmikeyM portfolio.

Blippo+

Executive producer of this current project.

Public Presence

Media Coverage

Mike’s work has been featured in major outlets including:

  • VICE
  • The Today Show
  • Playboy
  • The Hustle
  • WIRED
  • The Atlantic Monthly

Speaking

  • TEDxVienna - Talk about his journey as a publicly traded individual

Online Platforms

Contact

For shareholder communications and project updates, subscribe to the mailing list via Substack.

Part of the KmikeyM team | Quarterly Knowledge Base

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