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{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox scientist
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE|DL|FRS|FREng}}
| image = Dr Michael Lynch OBE FREng FRS.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Michael Richard Lynch
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1965|06|16|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Ilford]], London, England
| death_date =
| death_place = [[Mediterranean Sea]], off [[Porticello, Sicily|Porticello]], [[
| residence =
| fields = [[Software engineering]]
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| thesis_url = https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/244884
| thesis_year = 1990
| doctoral_advisor = Peter Rayner
| academic_advisors =
| doctoral_students =
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}}
'''Michael Richard Lynch'''
Following an undergraduate degree, a [[PhD]] and [[postdoctoral research]] at the [[University of Cambridge]], Lynch applied his research in [[machine learning]] to set up software companies and become a major figure in [[Silicon Fen]]. He was described in the press as the British equivalent of the American businessman [[Bill Gates]], with an estimated worth of £852 million in 2023.
The sale of Autonomy to [[Hewlett-Packard]] in 2011 led to accusations of fraud and resulted in civil litigation in the UK in 2019. The case was decided largely in favour of Hewlett-Packard. In 2023, Lynch was extradited to the United States to face criminal charges. He went on trial in San Francisco in March 2024 and in June was found not guilty on all counts.
Lynch was celebrating his acquittal with a cruise on his family's superyacht, ''[[Bayesian (yacht)|Bayesian]]'', when it sank in a storm off the coast of [[Sicily]] on 19 August 2024. Lynch, his daughter and five others died.
==Early life and education==
Lynch was born in [[Ilford]], [[London Borough of Redbridge]], on 16 June 1965
Aged 11, he won a [[scholarship]] to study at [[Bancroft's School]], a
==Career==
Lynch set up his first company in the late 1980s, while he was studying for his PhD. Lynett Systems Ltd was financed with a £2,000 loan negotiated in a bar, and produced designs and audio products including synthesisers and a [[Sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]] for the [[Atari ST]].<ref name=Insider>{{Cite web|last1=Shead|first1=Sam|last2=Ghosh|first2=Shona|title=Inside the life of Mike Lynch, who sold his search startup to HP for $11 billion and was charged with fraud|url=https://www.insider.com/the-life-of-mike-lynch-autonomy-hp-2017-5|date=26 December 2018|work=Insider|access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822133329/https://www.businessinsider.com/the-life-of-mike-lynch-autonomy-hp-2017-5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Forbes>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2000/0403/6508146a.html|title=The Searcher|date=3 April 2000|work=Forbes|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326124450/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2000/0403/6508146a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, he founded Cambridge Neurodynamics, which specialised in computer-based [[fingerprint recognition]].<ref name=Insider/> There were three [[corporate spin-off]]s from Cambridge Neurodynamics:
# Neurascript, which searched business documents based on [[character recognition]] and was bought by the German company Dicom in 2004
# NCorp, which searched databases
# [[Autonomy Corporation]], which searched unstructured sources including phone calls, emails and videos
===Autonomy===
In 1996, Lynch founded [[HP Autonomy|Autonomy]], a search software company, with [[David Tabizel]] and Richard Gaunt.<ref name=Insider/> With Lynch as [[chief executive officer]] (CEO), Autonomy
After the sale, Lynch founded a [[venture capital]] firm, Invoke Capital.<ref name=GuardianRiseandfall/> One of the first companies backed by Invoke Capital was cybersecurity firm [[Darktrace]].<ref name=Insider/> Invoke Capital became the biggest shareholder of Darktrace, with Lynch and his wife Angela Bacares being the second biggest, holding shares worth nearly £200 million. Many of the staff at Darktrace, including its CEO, had moved from Autonomy. Lynch was a member of the board until 2018 and continued as a member of the advisory council until 2021. He was a member of the Darktrace science and technology council until February 2023. As well as having to deal with questions about Lynch's involvement, Darktrace had to counter scepticism about its technology.<ref name=GuardianRiseandfall/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jan/25/snake-oil-doubts-loom-over-tech-firm-darktraces-high-octane-sales-strategy|title='Snake oil': doubts loom over tech firm Darktrace's high-octane sales strategy|date=25 January 2022|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 January 2022|archive-date=31 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131183734/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jan/25/snake-oil-doubts-loom-over-tech-firm-darktraces-high-octane-sales-strategy|url-status=live}}</ref>
Other technology companies backed by Invoke Capital include Featurespace, which specialises in software to detect and prevent [[fraud]] and [[financial crime]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1c3b6422-f06a-11e3-b112-00144feabdc0|title=Lynch backs software company that seeks to predict behaviour|date=10 June 2014|work=Financial Times|access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182457/https://www.ft.com/content/1c3b6422-f06a-11e3-b112-00144feabdc0|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Invoke Capital has invested in the [[legal technology]] firm Luminance, established in collaboration with [[Slaughter and May]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2022/02/05/mike-lynch-steps-down-from-luminance-board-to-fight-us-extradition/|title=Mike Lynch Steps Down From Luminance Board To Fight US Extradition|date=5 February 2022|work=Artificial Lawyer|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326124451/https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2022/02/05/mike-lynch-steps-down-from-luminance-board-to-fight-us-extradition/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sophia Genetics]], a Swiss medical data company, is also backed by Invoke Capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/autonomy-boss-mike-lynch-invests-in-swiss-dna-analysis-startup-9590955.html|title=Autonomy boss Mike Lynch invests in Swiss DNA analysis start-up|date=8 July 2014|publisher=[[Evening Standard
Lynch held a number of positions on boards and committees. When he was charged with fraud in the United States he resigned from his role as a government advisor on the [[Council for Science and Technology]] and from [[Royal Society]] committees. He had previously served as a board member of Cambridge Enterprise, [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew]], the [[BBC]], the [[British Library]], [[Nesta (charity)|Nesta]], and the [[Francis Crick Institute]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/67a355a8-f4a4-11e8-9623-d7f9881e729f|title=Mike Lynch steps down as government adviser following criminal charges|date=30 November 2018|work=Financial Times|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326124450/https://www.ft.com/content/67a355a8-f4a4-11e8-9623-d7f9881e729f|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
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[[File:Rolls Building, Royal Courts of Justice.jpg|thumb|The civil case was heard at the [[Rolls Building]], London.]]
In March 2019, Hewlett-Packard brought a civil action for fraud in the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] in London. The action alleged that Autonomy CFO Sushovan Hussain and founder Lynch "artificially inflated Autonomy's reported revenues, revenue growth and gross margins". The case was heard by [[Robert Hildyard (judge)|Mr Justice Hildyard]] sitting for 93 days over a period of nine months at the [[Rolls Building]].<ref name=BBCHPwins/
While the civil trial was taking place in London, the American authorities were seeking Lynch's extradition to face criminal charges of conspiracy and fraud in the United States. Through his lawyers, Lynch said he "vigorously rejects all the allegations". As a formality, he submitted himself for arrest in February 2020, and was released on bail of £10 million by [[Westminster Magistrates' Court]].<ref name=BBCarrest>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51389612|title=UK tech giant founder arrested over US extradition|date=5 February 2020|work=BBC|accessdate=6 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205205215/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51389612|url-status=live}}</ref> The case created a debate about the workings of the [[UK–US extradition treaty of 2003|Anglo-American extradition treaty of 2003]]. Five former [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] ministers signed a letter to ''[[The Times]]'' arguing against the extradition, and [[David Davis (British politician)|David Davis MP]] said in parliament that it was an attempt by the American authorities to "exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction".<ref name=GuardianTreaty>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/09/autonomy-co-founders-lawyers-attack-overweening-us-extradition-effort|title=Autonomy co-founder's lawyers attack 'overweening' US extradition effort|date=9 February 2021|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822134941/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/09/autonomy-co-founders-lawyers-attack-overweening-us-extradition-effort|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/23/david_davis_says_stop_mike_lynch_us_extradition/|title=One-time Brexit Secretary David Davis demands Mike Lynch's extradition to US be halted|date=23 January 2020|work=The Register|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822142207/https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/23/david_davis_says_stop_mike_lynch_us_extradition/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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In July 2021, a [[Judiciary of England and Wales#District judges|district judge]] ruled at Westminster Magistrates' Court that Lynch could be extradited to the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/22/british-businessman-mike-lynch-faces-extradition-to-us|title=British businessman Mike Lynch faces extradition to US|date=22 July 2021|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822134946/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/22/british-businessman-mike-lynch-faces-extradition-to-us|url-status=live}}</ref> Lynch applied for a judicial review; the application was rejected by High Court Judge [[Jonathan Swift (judge)|Mr Justice Swift]] in January 2022 and [[Home Secretary]] [[Priti Patel]] approved his extradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/software-billionaire-loses-bid-to-delay-decision-on-us-extradition/5111279.article|title=Software billionaire loses bid to delay decision on US extradition|date=26 January 2022|work=The Law Society Gazette|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=19 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819212048/https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/software-billionaire-loses-bid-to-delay-decision-on-us-extradition/5111279.article|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=GuardianPatel/> During the extradition proceedings Lynch was represented by [[Alex Bailin]] [[King's Counsel|KC]], who argued that Lynch should face trial in the UK.<ref name=GuardianTreaty/> After a further appeal failed, Lynch was flown to the US in May 2023, and held under [[house arrest]] in San Francisco to await trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/12/autonomy-founder-mike-lynch-extradited-to-us-after-losing-appeal|title=Autonomy founder Mike Lynch extradited to US after losing appeal|date=12 May 2023|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 May 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512124813/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/12/autonomy-founder-mike-lynch-extradited-to-us-after-losing-appeal|url-status=live}}</ref>
Lynch and Chamberlain went on trial in San Francisco on 18 March 2024. Lynch was charged with 16 counts of [[wire fraud]], [[securities fraud]] and conspiracy, while Chamberlain faced 15 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy. Both pleaded not guilty.<ref name=GuardianTrial>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/23/mike-lynch-uk-tech-titan-us-criminal-trial|title=What have we learned from week one of Mike Lynch's US fraud trial?|date=23 March 2024|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822134919/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/23/mike-lynch-uk-tech-titan-us-criminal-trial|url-status=live}}</ref> The court heard evidence and arguments over the course of 11 weeks, and one count of securities fraud was dropped. The jury retired for deliberation on 4 June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/05/mike-lynch-fraud-trial-takeaways|title=Mike Lynch: four key takeaways from the fraud trial of 'Britain's Bill Gates'|date=5 June 2024|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 June 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822134921/https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/05/mike-lynch-fraud-trial-takeaways|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 June 2024, Lynch and Chamberlain were found not guilty of all charges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/mike-lynch-elated-as-he-s-cleared-of-all-fraud-charges-ove-9369482/|title=Mike Lynch 'elated' as he's cleared of all fraud charges over $11bn sale of Autonomy to HP|date=7 June 2024|work=Cambridge Independent|access-date=20 August 2024|archive-date=20 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820160431/https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/mike-lynch-elated-as-he-s-cleared-of-all-fraud-charges-ove-9369482/|url-status=live}}</ref> Chamberlain died on 20 August 2024, three days after
===Awards and honours===
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==Personal life==
[[File:Loudham Hall - geograph.org.uk - 3974851.jpg|thumb|Loudham Hall in Pettistree in 2014]]
Lynch was married to Angela Bacares and they had two daughters.<ref name=GuardianRiseandfall/> In 2023, the ''[[Sunday Times Rich List]]'' estimated the couple's net worth at £852 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2024 |title=Who is Mike Lynch? The British billionaire missing after sailing superyacht sinks |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mike-lynch-yacht-net-worth-daughter-b2599355.html |access-date=21 August 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821125147/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mike-lynch-yacht-net-worth-daughter-b2599355.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lynch's entry in ''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who's Who]]''
[[File:20240808 Bayesian Yacht.jpg|thumb|''Bayesian'' superyacht at [[Milazzo|Milazzo, Sicily]]]]
{{main|Bayesian (yacht)#Sinking}}
In August 2024, Lynch celebrated his acquittal in the San Francisco trial with a cruise on the family [[
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{FRS 2014}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lynch, Mike}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:People educated at Bancroft's School]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Deputy lieutenants of Suffolk]]
[[Category:Alumni of Christ's College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:People from Chelmsford]]
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[[Category:British venture capitalists]]
[[Category:British people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Deaths due to shipwreck at sea]]
[[Category:21st-century British businesspeople]]
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