how he started
Being innovative is just part of who Matt is. He comes from a long line of innovators.
His great-grandfather, grandfather, and uncle were all accomplished inventors with dozens of patents between them. To help kindle his interest in science, Matt’s grandfather bought him a Radio Shack electronics kit when Matt was nine years old. Matt’s free time was spent experimenting with electronics — including finding several ways to set booby traps for any sibling who may try to enter his room uninvited.
A year later, Matt’s love for computers began when his family purchased their first home 286 PC. In no time, he was computer coding in the BASIC programming language. When Matt was 11, his grandfather’s neighborhood had a fire that ravaged many properties in the community. Inspired by this event, Matt and his grandfather designed and prototyped a specialized smoke alarm system with an outside-the-home alert, notifying local homeowners to save property and lives.
Matt got his first job when he was 10 years old, getting up long before daybreak to deliver newspapers. His first foray into the fundraising world came when he was 12 years old as he began helping his father with his non-profit. Through the years, Matt assisted with various aspects of the non-profit, including organizing direct-mail initiatives, coordinating fundraising objectives, and writing marketing campaign copy. From his early work experiences, Matt developed his grit and hustle that he would apply to all his future endeavors – even his creative pastimes.
Matt met his future business partner, Nick Repino, during their early teen years in school. As teenagers, Matt and Nick loved creating video shorts with their friends. When he was 15, Matt worked all summer saving enough money to buy his own video camera, and the two began to create many imaginative, short movies. These videos caught the interest of several local businesses, who hired them to shoot and produce work for them. Matt co-founded his first company with Nick called Syndicate Pictures when he was 19.
In 1997, Matt saw the early potential of the internet and formed his second company, Syndicated Technologies. His vision was to help serve the anticipated business needs through software and web development. He went on to earn dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Film and Video Production from Drexel University.
