<h2>A Deep Dive into Matt’s Professional Background</h2>
Matt started his career as a venture capitalist at Condé Nast’s corporate venture fund, where he gained invaluable experience in high-stakes investments. “I cut my teeth really in the deep end of VC, working with high-growth companies like Farfetch and Vestiaire Collective,” Matt shared. This exposure shaped his understanding of growth and business strategy, setting the stage for his entrepreneurial ventures.
<h2>The Birth of “The Lunicorn” and How It Paved the Way for Startup Success</h2>
After leaving VC, Matt founded <a href="https://thehub.io/startups/the-lunicorn">The Lunicorn</a>, a media brand focused on creating engaging content around technology and entrepreneurship. He quickly pivoted from his original vision to meet market demands, eventually building the company into a multi-million dollar business. “We followed the money, and it led us to building white-label content for giants like Microsoft and Danske Bank,” Matt explained. Despite its success, The Lunicorn was sold during the early days of the pandemic, a move that came with both challenges and new opportunities.
<h2>Reversing an Acquisition: A Rare but Strategic Move</h2>
In a rare twist, Matt bought back The Lunicorn less than a year after selling it due to shifting business strategies on the buyer's end. He explained, “They offered me a CMO role, but it was completely off-target for what I wanted to do. So, I saw an opportunity to regain control and chart a new course.” This experience highlights Matt’s adaptability and deep understanding of when to pivot for long-term gains.
<h2>Pursuing Olympic Dreams: The Entrepreneurial Spirit Translated to Sports</h2>
After selling The Lunicorn, Matt channeled his energy into a new challenge: training to represent South Africa in cross-country skiing at the Winter Olympics. “I Googled, ‘Is it possible to qualify for the Olympics in three years?’ and saw it as a startup-like opportunity,” he recounted. By applying the same discipline and focus that fueled his entrepreneurial success, Matt is now on track to compete in the World Championships.
<h2>Storytelling as a Superpower for Entrepreneurs</h2>
Throughout the podcast, Matt emphasized the power of storytelling in building a brand and connecting with audiences. “It’s not just storytelling; it’s story selling,” he said. This ability to convey his journey compellingly has been instrumental in his career, making him a sought-after speaker and coach. His advice for founders? “Always be pitching. Always be raising. Every conversation can be an opportunity if you frame it the right way.”
 
Find Matt on:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-c-smith-1391754a">Matt C Smith</a>
Website: <a href="https://www.mattcsmith.com/">mattcsmith.com</a>
Find Ben on:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcostantini/">Ben Costantini</a>
Twitter/X: <a href="https://x.com/bencostantini">@bencostantini</a>
&#8212;
Be sure to follow Sesamers on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sesamers_media/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/sesamers/">LinkedIn</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/sesamers">X</a> for more cool stories from the people we catch during the best Tech events!

Dan Taylor

Ben Costantini

Matt C Smith

A Deep Dive into Matt’s Professional Background Matt started his career as a venture capitalist at Condé Nast’s corporate venture fund, where he gained invaluable experience in high-stakes investments. “I cut my teeth really in the deep end of VC, working with high-growth companies like Farfetch and Vestiaire Collective,” Matt shared. This exposure shaped his [&hellip;]

Selected Episode #73

Matt C Smith