Colorado — Entrepreneur & Coach
I'm Michael Borgelt — a serial entrepreneur, basketball coach, and lifelong builder. I've founded and scaled multiple companies, navigated two successful business exits, and spent over a decade on the sidelines coaching the game I love.
My Story
I grew up in Hastings, Minnesota — a small town where basketball wasn't just a sport, it was a way of life. I spent every free hour in the gym, and that discipline shaped everything that came after.
After college, where I studied Business Marketing and Computer Science at the University of St. Thomas, I moved to Colorado and dove into the digital world. I founded 51Blocks, a digital marketing agency, and helped build Integrity Fire Safety Services — gaining deep experience in growing businesses from the ground up. Along the way, I've been part of two successful business exits.
That entrepreneurial drive led me to build BionicWP — a managed WordPress hosting platform designed specifically for agencies. Today it serves clients around the world with white-label support, unlimited edits, and the kind of performance WordPress sites actually deserve. I also founded Borgelt Developments, bringing the same attention to detail into real estate.
Through it all, I've stayed connected to basketball. Over the last decade, I've coached varsity, officiated at the NCAA and NBA level, and mentored dozens of young athletes. The court and the boardroom aren't as different as people think — both demand preparation, adaptability, and the ability to develop people.
Ventures
I build companies that solve real problems I've experienced firsthand — as an agency owner, a marketer, and a homeowner.
Managed WordPress hosting built for agencies. BionicWP gives agencies a true all-in-one platform — blazing-fast hosting, white-label support, unlimited edits, free migrations, and a dedicated team that handles the day-to-day so agencies can focus on growing their clients.
Visit BionicWP →A full-service digital marketing agency I built from scratch. 51Blocks helped businesses grow through SEO, PPC, and digital strategy — giving me deep, hands-on experience in the agency world that would eventually inspire BionicWP.
Visit 51Blocks →I helped build Integrity Fire Safety Services into a trusted name in fire protection. It was a masterclass in operational excellence — managing teams, scaling service delivery, and building a business where reliability isn't optional.
Custom home building and real estate development in the Denver metro area. I've personally developed four properties — from urban craftsman builds in Denver to a luxury mountain estate in Littleton. Every project reflects the same attention to detail and long-term thinking that drives my businesses.
Visit Borgelt Developments →Custom Homes
Four custom properties developed in and around Denver — each one designed, built, and delivered with hands-on involvement from start to finish.
Basketball
Basketball has been the through-line of my life — from small-town Minnesota gyms to NCAA arenas to the NBA floor. I've seen the game from every angle: as a player, an official, and a coach. Here's that journey.
I grew up on the court at Hastings High School in Minnesota, averaging 18 points per game and earning All-Conference and All-State honors. I was named a Top 40 finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Basketball Award — the state's highest individual recognition for a high school player.
That led me to Gustavus Adolphus College, where I helped the team to back-to-back deep NCAA Division III Tournament runs — a Sweet 16 appearance in 1996 and an Elite 8 run in 1997. I finished my playing career at the University of St. Thomas, competing as a small forward/power forward in a strong Division III program.
After my playing career, I wanted to stay close to the game — so I picked up a whistle. I started officiating high school basketball in 2002, and within three years I'd advanced to the collegiate level. I officiated games across the PAC-12 and Big Sky conferences, building a reputation for strong court presence and deep knowledge of the game.
At the high school level, I was selected to officiate the 5A State Championship Game (East vs. Thunderridge) — a recognition reserved for the state's top officials. Then in 2009, during the NBA referee strike, I was one of the replacement officials chosen to work four NBA games. I assessed technical fouls on Kobe Bryant and Darrin Williams, managing elite-level athletes in the highest-pressure environment in basketball.
Coaching is where everything comes together. I joined Mullen High School's varsity staff in 2013, spending three seasons helping develop game plans, scouting opponents, and shaping team culture. That experience set the foundation for my next chapter.
In 2017, I joined Bear Creek High School as Varsity Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator. Over the next six years, we turned the program around — leading the team to its first playoff appearance in years and securing the program's first playoff victory in over two decades. I designed and implemented high-level offensive strategies while building deep relationships with student-athletes. Many of those players still reach out years later, and I consider mentoring them one of the most meaningful parts of my career.
"The court and the boardroom aren't as different as people think. Both demand preparation, the ability to read what's happening in real time, and a commitment to developing the people around you."
— Michael Borgelt
Coaching Philosophy
I build lasting connections with players that extend far beyond the final buzzer. Mentorship doesn't have an expiration date.
I design systems that put players in a position to succeed — high-level offensive strategies built around what a team does best, not a rigid playbook.
Having been a player, official, and coach, I see the game from every angle. That depth informs how I teach, scout, and develop game plans.
Get in touch
Whether it's about business, basketball, or just to say hello — I'd love to hear from you.
mborgelt@gmail.com
