General Partner - Future Frontier Capital | Faculty - UC Berkeley | President - IP Checkups | Investor | VC Advisor | IP Strategy & Analytics Expert
Matt Rappaport is a passionate investor and advisor dedicated to empowering visionary founders who are committed to improving the world for future generations. With over 20 years of experience in intellectual property strategy and analytics, Matt specializes in guiding startups to align their business, research and development (R&D), and intellectual property strategies, ultimately leading to successful exits.
What I Do
- Invest in and Guide Founders: I actively seek out inspired entrepreneurs focused on making a positive impact through innovative solutions.
- Support Startups: My role involves helping startups align their business objectives with R&D and IP strategies, ensuring they are well-positioned for growth and exit opportunities.
- Connect Talented Individuals: I leverage my diverse network of technical experts, business leaders, and legal advisors to connect startups with essential resources.
Who I Work With
- Start-Up Teams and Founders: Collaborating closely with innovative teams to navigate the complexities of building their businesses.
- Technical Experts and Advisors: Engaging with scientists, business development professionals, and legal advisors who bring valuable insights and operational experience.
- Investors: Partnering with family offices, institutional investors, and other venture capital firms to align interests and drive investment success.
Areas of Focus
My investment interests span several critical sectors, including:
- Climate Technology
- Digital Innovations
- Healthcare Solutions
I am particularly focused on advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), agricultural technology (Ag-tech), augmented and virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, blockchain technology, carbon capture solutions, drones, drug discovery, genetic engineering, robotics, solar energy, and more.
What Makes Me Different
My extensive experience running a boutique intellectual property strategy firm allows me to provide unique insights and services to my clients. Key offerings include:
- Strategic IP Advice: Helping clients establish and maintain superior control positions in their respective markets.
- Technology Landscape Analyses: Assessing opportunities and risks across hundreds of technology areas to maximize business objectives.
- Innovation Management Services: Providing IP capture strategies, white space analysis, and build vs. buy evaluations for M&A and product development.
- Deal Diligence: Conducting thorough technology and IP due diligence for investments, M&A transactions, IP assertions, sales, and licensing agreements.
- IP Management: Mapping competitive landscapes to support provisional patent drafting and making informed decisions regarding patents versus trade secrets.
Supporting Startups
My work with startups involves:
- Identifying Technology Trends: Utilizing proprietary software to analyze patents, scientific literature, and market dynamics within the competitive landscape.
- Accessing Exceptional Founders Early: My faculty role at the Fung Institute of Engineering Leadership connects me with the Haas School of Business and various government research labs. This network provides early access to promising founders—often before they have even filed patents or launched websites.
- Holistic Advisory Approach: Combining two decades of experience in building corporate and startup IP strategies that align with business objectives.
Why It Works
I wake up every day excited about supporting emerging founders in their quest to build a better future. My commitment to fostering innovation fuels my enthusiasm as I engage with new ideas that have the potential to transform industries.
Ready to Talk?
If you’re interested in discussing opportunities or seeking guidance on your startup journey, connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out via email at matt@futurefrontier.vc.
Through my unique blend of investment acumen, strategic insight into intellectual property, and commitment to nurturing innovative talent, I am dedicated to shaping a sustainable future through entrepreneurship.
Citations: [1] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrappaport-futurefrontier [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_Rappaport [3] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrappaport1 [4] https://www.colum.edu/academics/faculty/detail/mat-rappaport.html [5] https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpflynn [6] https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-riley-ceo [7] https://funginstitute.berkeley.edu/people/matthew-rappaport/ [8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Xhij6vwPg