After obtaining a MSc degree in Computer Science from Leiden University, Michiel himself went into the software business. In 1993 he set up "Lost Boys" with several of his friends, developing software for the CD-ROM market. With the rapid growth of the internet, the company then started making internet software as well as moving into game development. Mol had his first venture into Formula One in 1999, when he and his company sponsored driver Jos Verstappen. Lost Boys then merged with Swedish company "IconMedialab".