Engineering a New Path: Michael Sedique’s Journey to Entrepreneurship

Michael Sedique, a graduate of Rice Business’s Online MBA program, has always been motivated by a desire to build — whether it’s systems, products or solutions. With a background in engineering and cybersecurity, he came to Rice Business to grow as a leader and entrepreneur. Today, he’s channeling that growth into ventures like Artisan Technologies and Wavv Dating. We caught up with Michael to talk about his career path, his experience in the online MBA program and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH BEFORE AND AFTER BUSINESS SCHOOL.

My career path has been less of a straight line and more of a pinball game, all driven by a love for technology and a serious case of “builder's itch.” I kicked things off with an engineering degree from Arizona State University, then headed to Boston College for my first graduate degree in cybersecurity policy and governance.

I've always been fascinated by startups and the sheer audacity of creating something new, especially when it comes to cybersecurity and, increasingly, product development. 

While I was at Boston College, I quickly realized that building something secure wasn't just about the code; it was about understanding the user, defining the problem, and iterating on solutions — the core tenets of product management. I found myself naturally gravitating towards understanding the “why” behind the “what,” wearing many hats.

Since completing my MBA at Rice, I’ve been pouring that energy into a couple of really exciting ventures, applying all those product lessons learned — right now with Artisan Technologies and Wavv Dating. From factory floors to dating apps, I'm building products that untangle complexity and create smarter, more human-centered experiences.

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WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO RETURN TO SCHOOL FOR AN MBA?

The MBA has always been a personal and professional goal. I wanted to deepen my understanding of the business landscape, refine my leadership skills, and gain the strategic toolkit necessary to scale my ventures and truly make an impact. It was about transforming my engineering and security insights into comprehensive business acumen.

My parents, especially my dad, always harbored a secret dream of me becoming a doctor. While I may not be saving lives in an operating room, I like to think I’m now qualified to diagnose market inefficiencies and prescribe strategic solutions. And hey, “MBA” starts with an “M” just like “MD.” So, if you squint, it's practically the same thing, right?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE ONLINE FORMAT?

The decision to pursue an online MBA was mostly about practicality — especially given my work style. My teams at Artisan Technologies and Wavv Dating joke that it doesn’t matter when you message me, be it 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., you’re getting a detailed response within seconds. My internal clock seems to run on “urgent” mode.

Given that level of commitment to my ventures, a traditional MBA with its fixed schedules and geographic constraints just wouldn’t have worked. While I was fortunate to get into numerous top-tier universities, the logistics simply didn’t align with my day-to-day reality. 

Rice’s online format, specifically its flexibility and rigorous curriculum, was the perfect fit. Plus, being based out of the San Francisco Bay area, it allowed me to leverage a world-class education without having to abandon the innovative ecosystem I’m so deeply ingrained in. It was the ideal solution to continue building and leading, all while advancing my education.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE RICE FOR YOUR MBA?

Well, here’s a confession that might surprise a few people, especially to anyone who grew up in Southern California where USC, Stanford, and UCLA were practically enshrined in gold: As a kid, Rice University was always my dream school.

My journey started with a deep love for engineering. And as a small, somewhat nerdy kid, I had an intense fascination with space — my dad got me hooked on this sort of stuff. It also explained my fascination with Legos. Through countless hours of random research, I stumbled upon Rice’s history with NASA. The idea that this university was intertwined with astronauts, mission control, and literally sending people to the moon? My little engineer heart was absolutely sold. It just instantly became the place I had to get into, at some point.

Fast forward a few years, and with my entrepreneurial background firmly tied to my engineering discipline, Rice’s strong technical roots, combined with its burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem — particularly the Lilie Lab, which I later engaged with for Wavv Dating — made it the perfect, full-circle fit for my MBA journey.

Plus, who doesn't want to say they went to their childhood dream school? The inner child in me is doing a little happy dance.

DID YOU ALWAYS SEE YOURSELF PURSUING AN MBA, OR DID THAT PATH EMERGE DURING BUSINESS SCHOOL?

For me, entrepreneurship wasn’t a path that emerged during my MBA; it was more like my default operating system from day one. I’ve always been driven by a desire to achieve big things, to leave a mark and to create solutions that have a significant, positive impact on society.

My core goal has always been to create opportunities — to build things that lift people up and make the future better for everyone. For me, being an entrepreneur means you're out there creating impact and opportunity, not just for yourself, but for your community, the world and the future. The MBA simply gave me the refined toolkit and the strategic horsepower to accelerate that lifelong mission.

WHAT DID THE MBA EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU THAT YOU BRING TO YOUR CAREER TODAY? 

My MBA experience really drilled home the importance of adaptability. Before business school, I prided myself on collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams, but my role was often quite defined. The MBA, however, forced me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I was pushed into roles I’d typically sidestep and immersed in industry spaces I’d never touched before. It was like being thrown into the deep end of a very interesting, but slightly intimidating, pool — and learning to not just swim, but thrive.

A particularly pivotal moment that stuck with me was our Global Field Experience (GFE) in Colombia. Our team was consulting for an industrial manufacturing company specializing in a specific type of plastic. We helped them improve various metrics, but our biggest impact was in strengthening their marketing efforts. It was a fascinating deep dive into a new industry, and the hands-on problem-solving was incredibly rewarding.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE APPLYING TO BUSINESS SCHOOL? WHAT ABOUT SOMEONE CONSIDERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

My advice for pursuing an MBA is to go with intent and purpose. Don’t just get an MBA because it’s what everyone else is doing, or because it seems like the next logical step. Get it because you genuinely want to chart a new direction for yourself, to do bigger things, and to unlock a level of impact you can't achieve otherwise. Business school is an investment — make sure you’re clear on the ROI for you.

And entrepreneurship? It’s an emotional rollercoaster. And unlike theme park rides, there’s no seatbelt for the rejection, the pivots or the sheer “what am I doing with my life?” moments. If you're willing to make significant sacrifices, work harder than you ever thought possible, and be relentlessly resilient no matter how many times you get knocked down, then maybe, just maybe, it’s for you. You need to get comfortable with rejections, recognize that execution is often more important than having a brilliant idea, and be prepared to do what'’ profoundly uncomfortable on a regular basis. 

Michael Sedique is a Online MBA alum from the Class of 2023.