Michael B. Halvorsen's Blog

About Michael B. Halvorsen

Serial entrepreneur, technology innovator, and AI enthusiast with over 20 years of experience building and scaling companies in the domain name industry, internet infrastructure, and SaaS.

What I Do

As Co-Founder and CEO of iQ Global AS, I lead the development of AI-powered platforms that process over 250 million domains daily, helping organizations combat cybersecurity threats, manage domain abuse, and make better business decisions through intelligent automation.

I'm passionate about building companies from the ground up—combining strategic vision with hands-on technical implementation. Whether it's platform architecture, full-stack development, or business development, I enjoy moving between the boardroom and the development team, bringing both perspectives together.

My Journey

Over the past two decades, I've co-founded and scaled several successful ventures:

  • Active 24 - Built into pan-European market leader in domain registration and hosting
  • NetConnect AS - Grew into one of Norway's fastest-growing technology companies
  • .GLOBAL Registry - Co-founded and successfully exited through acquisition by Afilias
  • iQ Global AS - Currently leading as CEO, processing 250M+ domains daily with AI-powered security and intelligence platforms
  • NameBlock - Developed innovative brand protection platform (2022-2024)

Each venture taught me something new about the intersection of technology, business, and solving real problems at scale.

Current Focus: AI & Automation

I'm currently focused on developing smart automation and AI orchestration platforms that make domain security and business intelligence more efficient and accessible. This includes:

  • AI-Powered Domain Risk Scoring - Using Large Language Models to assess domain reputation and security threats with unprecedented efficiency
  • Automated Abuse Detection - Intelligent systems that identify and mitigate phishing, malware, and cybersquatting
  • Business Intelligence at Scale - Processing hundreds of millions of data points to provide actionable insights for registries and registrars
  • NIS2 Compliance Solutions - Helping organizations meet EU cybersecurity requirements through intelligent automation

Technical Background

I hold a degree in System Analysis and Computer Engineering from the University of Agder (1995-1997). My technical expertise spans:

  • Large Language Models (LLM) and AI orchestration
  • Full-stack development and platform architecture
  • Scalable systems design and operations
  • Cloud infrastructure and DevOps
  • Domain Name System (DNS) and internet infrastructure

But more importantly, I believe in being hands-on. I work directly with our development teams on architecture decisions, code reviews, and solving technical challenges. The best solutions come from understanding both the business problem and the technical constraints.

Philosophy & Approach

I believe in building sustainable businesses with strong ethical foundations. Technology should solve real problems and create genuine value—not just chase trends.

At iQ Global, we live by the Norwegian concept of "dugnad"—working as a community to create the internet we want. Our responsibility extends beyond our products to the broader internet infrastructure community.

As a leader, I move comfortably between strategic planning and practical implementation. The best strategies are informed by technical reality, and the best technical solutions serve clear business objectives.

What I Write About

On this blog, I share thoughts and insights about:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models
  • Software architecture and development in the AI era
  • Entrepreneurship and company building
  • Domain industry insights and trends
  • Cybersecurity and internet infrastructure
  • Product development and strategy

My goal is to share practical knowledge from real-world experience—what works, what doesn't, and what I'm learning along the way.

Connect With Me

I'm always interested in connecting with others who are passionate about using technology to solve real challenges.

Whether you're building AI applications, working in the domain industry, or just interested in technology and entrepreneurship, feel free to reach out.

Last updated: January 2025